Andy Weir worked as a software engineer, while also writing science fiction. In 2011, he self-published a book, serializing it on the web and later publishing it on Kindle for the minimum price. Thanks to fan interest, the book was finally noticed and re-released in 2014.
And now everyone's heard of it. Which book?
[+ Show Answer]
"The Martian", which was made into a Hollywood film in 2015.
More here.