The write stuff: Young self-publisher signs major book deal

Amanda Hocking is a 26-year-old writer. Last year, she started to self-publish a young-adult paranormal series called "Watersong."

She sold over a million copies, most of them in electronic form.

The "Kindle millionaire" from Minnesota had become a self-publishing sensation. And the publishing industry took notice.

Last week, major publishing houses bid for the rights to Hocking's words. Random House, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins all dropped out as the price rose beyond $2 million USD for the English rights.

St. Martin's Press eventually won out and is set to publish her four-book series, with the first book set to be released in the fall of 2012; the publishing company, part of Macmillan, has not disclosed how much they paid for the rights.

In the past year, Hocking became the unofficial spokesperson for self-publishers, a position she didn't necessarily seek. While her success was remarkable — she sold books directly to readers through online retailers, keeping 70 per cent of the revenue — it was exhausting.

Hocking posted a defence of her pursuit of traditional publishers on her blog.

"I want to be a writer. I do not want to spend 40 hours a week handling e-mails, formatting covers, finding editors, etc. Right now, being me is a full-time corporation."

She also cites book availability, increased quality of editing and career stability as factors in her decision.

The prolific writer — she has written 19 books so far — promises her fans she hasn't abandoned self-publishing. "I have a few titles lined up this year yet to put out via the self-publishing. And I'll have more in the future."

Watch Amanda Hocking at work (pre-publishing deal) below.

(Photo credit: Robb Long/AP)