Anyone who has ever tried to publish a book knows that being an author is not for the faint of heart. Getting a reputable publisher to even look at your book can be a challenge, and finding one to represent you can seem impossible.

Unless you are an A-list celebrity or a millionaire heiress, getting your book published takes a lot of hard work and a good amount of pure luck.

There are some authors, though, who manage to start at the very bottom and work their way up to mega-star status without relying on fame or family connections.

Take J.K. Rowling, for example. Before her Harry Potter series made her a household name (and a billionaire, I might add), she was a single mother, living on welfare.

And before Charles Dickens became one of the most famous authors of all time, he was forced to leave school and, at the age of 12, work 10-hour days in a boot-blacking warehouse to help support his family.

Rowling and Dickens are not the only well-known authors to have come from modest beginnings. This fascinating article from Bustle.com tells the success stories of eight authors who have worked their way up from poverty, violence, and abuse to literary fame.

These stories are not only amazing but are incredibly inspiring. So, the next time you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up on your writing dreams, just think of these amazing authors and find strength in their success.