Andy Weir: The Martian — How to Go From Self-Published to Six Figures
Since Andy Weir was a boy, he wanted to be a writer. But like most, success didn’t come easy.
His first “claim to fame” finally came with The Egg, a thousand-word story that went viral.
His latest book, The Martian was first published as a serial, one chapter at a time on his website. He had only a few thousand readers.
There were many things about the book I wanted to understand more so I called up Andy and asked him if I could ask him the questions in front of the listeners to my podcast. He was very kind and did so.
It was his first published book but he had been writing for years. That’s how it goes.
He self-published “The Martian” in 2011 after everyone rejected it. He started writing it and researching it in 2009.
Once he published it it got so popular (35,000 copies in 3 months) that Random House bought it and republished it in 2014 where it quickly went on every bestseller list. Then Ridley Scott scooped up the movie rights and Matt Damon is starring.
Very exciting!
At the end of our discussion I asked Andy his three tips for writers.
I said it would be for my listeners, but really I was asking for my own personal benefit. He said, “I would love to give you three tips,” and he did.
I’m going to spoil the show, but I hope you listen anyways. The 3 tips were:
- It’s easy to daydream about your story but you have to sit down and write.
- Resist the urge to tell your story to your friends and family.
- This is the best time in history to be a writer. Today, you can bypass the gatekeepers.
Listen here with this link: http://apple.co/1ewcX8D
James Altucher is the author of the bestselling book Choose Yourself, editor at The Altucher Report and host of the popular podcast, The James Altucher Show, which takes you beyond business and entrepreneurship by exploring what it means to be human and achieve well-being in a world that is increasingly complicated.
MORE FROM JAMES:
Recommended Post: Why and How I Self Published A Book
James Altucher Show Podcast: PJ O’Rourke — Thrown Under The Omnibus!
Ask Altucher Podcast: Altucher Interviews Altucher
