For many professional writers, their work is a labor of love — and often a financially unrewarding one. Even with the rise of self-publishing easing some of the risk, most authors still face years of rejection, financial strain, and personal sacrifice in pursuit of the dream of being published.
For every writer who breaks through, there are thousands who fall short of earning a sustainable living. Yet for a rare few, that dream becomes reality. With a bit of luck, the right timing, and relentless perseverance, turning passion into literary success — and lasting wealth — is still possible.
John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck, a towering voice in American literature, is best known for capturing the struggles of working-class Americans in classics like Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. But before his novels sold millions and shaped generations of readers, Steinbeck lived in near-poverty.
During the Great Depression, he and his wife survived on seafood Steinbeck caught from a small boat, supplemented by a modest garden, welfare assistance, and the kindness of strangers. His harsh reality helped to define the captivating realism of his writing and propelled him from hardship to literary greatness. His various works not only led to financial stability but also earned him the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Favorite novella by this author: The Pearl
Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks is best known for romantic novels that have become blockbuster films. But success didn’t come easy. After college, Sparks was rejected by multiple publishers and failed to get into law school. He waited tables and sold pharmaceuticals to pay the bills.
At one point, Sparks made a final promise to himself: if his next manuscript didn’t get picked up, he would quit writing. That manuscript turned out to be The Notebook. It sold for a $1 million advance and launched a literary empire. The origin story of Nicholas Sparks proves that one breakthrough can change everything.
Favorite book by this author: A Walk to Remember
Charles Dickens
One of the most influential writers of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens had a childhood marked by poverty. He worked in a boot-blacking factory as a child laborer and spent long days labeling bottles in a warehouse after his father was imprisoned for debt. With that in mind, the themes of his iconic novels — Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and Great Expectations — resonate even more deeply.
Much like John Steinbeck, the harsh experiences of Dickens’s past left a lasting impact that shaped the themes of his work. As his platform grew, so did his voice for social reform. A well-known advocate for the poor, Dickens inspired movements for improved working and living conditions for many.
Favorite movie adapted from A Christmas Carol: Spirited
Stephen King
Before becoming the king of horror, Stephen King lived in a trailer, worked in a laundry, and nearly threw his first bestseller in the trash. It’s safe to say that before writing more than 50 novels and selling over 350 million copies, King’s early years were far from glamorous.
Raised by a single mother after his father abandoned the family, King faced numerous struggles at the start of his career. He juggled college, fatherhood, and low-paying jobs while his family struggled to make ends meet. His inability to pay bills, combined with the time he spent writing, left him filled with self-doubt. In fact, he famously threw the first draft of Carrie into the trash. Luckily for all of us, his wife retrieved it and encouraged him to finish it. That novel became his breakthrough, earning him a large advance and launching one of the most successful writing careers of all time.
Favorite quote by this author: “If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered.”
J.K. Rowling
Now one of the world’s richest authors, J.K. Rowling was once a single mother battling depression and living on welfare. Residing in Edinburgh with her infant daughter, Rowling survived on government benefits while working on what would eventually become the first book in the Harry Potter series.
Rejected by countless publishers, Rowling proved the old adage that “it only takes one” when she finally secured a small advance from Bloomsbury in 1996. As of 2025, the Harry Potter brand is worth over $25 billion — yes, billion with a “B.” Despite how her public persona may be viewed today, Rowling’s journey from poverty to publishing powerhouse remains the stuff of legend.
Favorite book by this author: The Cuckoo’s Calling (as Robert Galbraith)
Lasting Thoughts
The journey to success for writers is rarely straightforward. Then again, most careers aren’t linear either. Life — like writing — is full of ups, downs, and unexpected twists. It’s easy to get lost along the way, but these authors have proven that despite serious adversity, there can be light at the end of the tunnel. From factory jobs and rejection letters to welfare and homelessness, every step back can become a step forward in your storytelling.