Without thinking extensively or sweating much, write out your first pass of a list of things you will cover to support your big idea: how you will approach the idea, what will your reader need to know to see the problem, what will they need to know to answer the problem. A healthy list will probably …
Writing an outline: The roadmap to your non-fiction book Read More »
Many first-time authors want to find an agent who will sell their manuscripts to large publishers. But without a sales track record, it isn’t easy to find a reputable agent to take on your work. They need to show prospective publishers your book will sell and that there is a good-sized audience who knows your …
Many people are so focused on their manuscript that they underestimate the importance of what is called in the business front and back matter. The front matter are the parts of the book that come before the body of the book. The back matter is simply the elements at the back of the book. But …
An author’s platform can be challenging to define because they come in many different shapes and sizes. But platforms often contain four elements: ▪ Visibility. This answers questions like: Who knows you? Who is aware of your work? Where does your work regularly appear? How many people see it? What communities are you a part …
I have been working in publishing for decades. One of the unfailing truths I hear from writers is that self-publishing companies suck. Long ago, I promised not to perpetuate the problems created by most self-publishing companies. One of the biggest problems is the packaging of self-publishing services. Many places put together packages that cost thousands …
Many people want to write a book but say they can’t find the time or are waiting for a time to write. Sadly, the time to write doesn’t magically appear. You have to make time, and it can be a time-consuming process. Waiting for the “right” time also creates a block in your mind, and …
When you are self-publishing a book, it is a good idea to come up with a name for your publishing company. A name immediately lends credibility to your work, and it announces that this is a serious venture. It is a bright idea to add the words “press,” “publishing company,” “books,” or “publishers” to the …
An author’s platform grows out of your body of work—or from producing great work. Here is a list, not an exhaustive list, but it helps give you an idea of how a platform can grow. ▪ Publishing or distributing good work in outlets you want to be identified with, and your target audience reads.▪ Producing a …
It seems like there are as many reasons to write a book as there are writers. Here are some of the most popular reasons for doing it. It fulfils a life goal. Many people have this as an item on their list of life accomplishments. There are more ways and resources to achieve this now …
The importance of creating a platform that promotes you and your work can’t be underestimated. You should be thinking about it before you write your manuscript-and even before deciding onwhat you’ll write.What is an author platform? It describes how your audience is known, liked, and trusted. It includes your writing credits, online presence, public speaking, …
