Write Your Book Now! A handbook for writers, authors, and self-publishers

Write Your Book Now!

A handbook for writers, authors, and self-publishers

by Bobbi Linkemer

© 2017 by Bobbi Linkemer. All rights reserved.

This book may not be duplicated in any way without the express written consent of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts or quotations for the purpose of review. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic, recordings, or otherwise) without the prior permission of the author. The information contained herein is for the personal use of the reader and may not be incorporated in any commercial programs or other books, databases, or any kind of software without the written consent of the author. Making copies of this book or any portion of it for any purpose is a violation of the United States copyright laws.

ISBN 978-0-9974537-9-9

Cover and interior design by Nehmen-Kodner: n-kcreative.com Printed in the United States of America

WriteANonfictionBook.com bobbi@writeanonfictionbook.com

PO Box 440237 • St. Louis, MO 64144

Published by

Dedicated to

The authors who have allowed me to share in their journey

and

the talented experts who have accompanied me on mine

CONTENTS

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Introduction

The Book of Five for Authors: Everything authors need to know about nonfiction books

1. For New Authors

2. When You Need a Little Help

3. Planning

4. Writing

5. Professional Partners

6. Publishing

7. Promotion

8. Last Thoughts

The Skillful Writer: What separates the pros from the amateurs

9. Writing Through the Ups and Downs

10.  Making Use of Words and Time

11.  Learning the Tricks of the Trade

12.  Reading Other Writers

13.  Leveraging Your Talent

14.  Deciding to Write

The Prosperous Author: The business side of writing books

15.  Being in Business

16.  Building Your Team

17.  The Writing Life

18.  The Publishing World

19.  Marketing Magic

20.  Managing the Details

21.  Getting Personal

Epilogue

95 Ways to Stay Motivated Until Your Nonfiction Book Is Written, Published, and Sold

INTRODUCTION

Book coaches nag. That’s what we do. We also encourage, cajole, hold your hand, and pull you along at every step of planning, writing, publishing, and promoting your book. We know you can do it. Our job is to convince you that you can do it and keep you from succumbing to crises of confidence along the way.

Yes, there is a lot to learn and do between your first exciting epiphany and your finished book. And, yes, it can seem beyond a mere mortal’s ability to achieve. But of course, it isn’t; 88,900,000 mere mortals have books on Amazon, 800,000 of which are on Kindle alone.

So, you decide to learn what you can, only to be overwhelmed with books and magazines and websites and webinars and blogs and newsletters, all trying to teach you EVERYTHING you could ever need to know (or not) about publishing. It’s so tempting for all of us to want to share with you what we have learned along the way. We just can’t help it. I, of all people, know that. I have written ten books on writing and keep thinking of something else to write about.

Write Your Book Now! is a compilation of my last three e-books—The Book of Five for Authors, The Skillful Writer, and The Prosperous Author—which cover a wide range of topics, from advice for aspiring authors to how to run a successful book-writing business. The first section covers the basics; the last two call upon successful authors to provide words of wisdom on what it takes to make it as a writer and entrepreneur.

On those days when you find it hard to concentrate or lose your resolve to keep on keeping on, I hope you’ll find something of value in 95 Ways to Stay Motivated Until Your Nonfiction Book Is Written, Published, and Sold.

Please email me (bobbi@writeanonfictionbook.com) when your next book is available on Amazon. I will buy it. Here’s to your success!

Bobbi

PART 1

THE BOOK OF FIVE FOR AUTHORS

CHAPTER 1

FOR NEW AUTHORS

5 Characteristics Authors Must Have

The debate between whether authors are born with or cultivate the traits that help them succeed has never been resolved. But in either case, at the beginning, there is only a tiny spark that must be fanned and kept alive over time. There are many such characteristics, but some are more significant than others. What follows are the 5 characteristics authors must have.

1.  Talent, tenacity, determination

Talent is a gift, but talented writers don’t always succeed. Given a choice between talent and dogged determination, a person with determination has a better chance of succeeding. Promising authors who are passionate about writing and publishing their books most often get through the process. Some have talent; some do not. (They all have good editors, by the way.)

2.  Obsession and self-discipline

Obsession: to be hooked instantly and forever on an idea, a goal, or a desire.

Self-discipline: purposefulness, resolve. Developing self-discipline is a four-step process—(1) Set a goal (knowing what you want to achieve); (2) make the decision (to go for it); (3) craft a plan (that is possible); and (4) take action (working the plan).

3.  Curiosity and imagination

Curiosity is the unquenchable thirst for knowledge; imagination is the process by which we create something entirely new out of that knowledge. If everything that exists is already known, then curiosity impels us to search for what is known, and imagination sees it in a new and original form.

4.  Trust in the creative process

Creativity is mysterious. An artist or inventor takes existing elements—ideas, materials, words—throws them into a pot, stirs them around for a while, and ultimately produces a completely original product. That product is unlike anything else in the world. It doesn’t matter what goes into the mix; what comes out is always unique.

5.  Mind like a sponge

This means a lust for learning and the ability to absorb and retain what is learned. People with such minds take in as much as possible; think about it; talk about it; write about it; and, especially, make new and original connections out of it. Then, they integrate all of this information—make it a part of themselves.

Perhaps talent is innate; perhaps it is a seed that is nurtured and encouraged to blossom. In either case, it is only one of several traits successful authors cultivate. While some may seem to come naturally, such as curiosity and imagination, others take real effort. Understanding these attributes is the first step in making them part of you.

•••

5 Mistakes New Authors Make

If you don’t know your way around the publishing world, you may make wrong turns and unnecessary blunders, but you can avoid them if you know in advance what they are. Here are 5 mistakes new authors make and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1

You mention to people that you’re writing a book, and they become instantly fascinated. You are? That’s terrific. What’s it about? they ask. Can you answer that question in one sentence, or will you talk your listeners into a stupor

while you explain your subject? Of course, you want to tell anyone who will listen all about your book—its content, its purpose, its potential for becoming a best seller. Resist the urge. The mistake many new authors make is talking about their books, rather than writing them. Capture your topic in a single sentence: My book is about ... Then, stop talking, and go home and write.

Mistake #2

You proudly print out your manuscript and read what you have written. Does it still make sense or have you rambled on or completely forgotten everything you ever learned about English grammar? The mistake many new authors make is assuming you only have to write your book once, that your first draft is your final draft. If you have showed your book to friends and family and been showered with praise, you’re good to go ... right? Well, not quite.

Mistake #3

Even if you have been selective about those you asked for input, are any of those people professional editors or subject- matter experts? Have they given you constructive comments on content, organization, accuracy, grammar, punctua- tion, consistency, length, or readability? Probably not. The mistake many new authors make is failing to hire a professional editor to review their work and provide objective, knowledgeable feedback.

Mistake #4

You are ready to publish, but you are torn between sending your book to a major New York publishing house and using one of the POD publishers on the Web. Do you have any idea how many unsolicited manuscripts big publishers receive every day, and how few they even glance at before they throw them into the slush pile? Do you know what POD publishers really do and how to evaluate the quality and costs of their services? The mistake many new authors make is not thoroughly researching publishing options in order to make educated decisions on how to publish.

Mistake #5

At last, you are holding your book in your hands. It’s tangible; it’s real. You are a published author. Now, all you need is sales. But there are a few things you should have done before you reached this point, such as identifying your ideal readers and the best way to reach them, writing a marketing plan, launching a website, and registering for social media sites. The mistakes many new authors make is waiting until their books are published to begin thinking about how to mount a successful marketing campaign.

These mistakes are avoidable once you are aware of them. The question is how to learn what not to do when you are a novice. There are many sources of such information: authors’ and publishers’ associations, more experienced authors, books on the publishing process, and classes, among others. Take the time to ask questions, and don’t ignore your own common sense. If you question the wisdom of some activity, pay attention to your doubts.

•••

5 More Traits Writers Need

Being a writer is not merely a matter of putting words on paper (or computer screen). It takes a range of characteristics and abilities to succeed at this demanding career. Talent is a gift; tenacity is developed over time. But even those two valuable strengths are not enough. Here are 5 more traits writers need.

1.  Endurance and physical stamina

Writing is an extremely physical activity for which we should train to stay in shape. Exercise develops stamina, strength, and flexibility; clears the mind, calms the soul, and relieves stress; jump starts the creative process; releases endorphins; and brings balance to a highly cerebral vocation.

2.  Focus

A book is not conceived in a single brainstorming session or written in a matter of hours. Two of the most important strengths a writer needs are focus and a long attention span. Focus means total concentration or fixed attention on the project at hand. The trick is to stay focused, which is what having a long attention span means.

3.  Marketing savvy

Marketing does not mean selling; it means identifying a need in the market place and finding a way to fill it. As it applies to authors, marketing means two things: (1) identifying your ideal readers, where you will find them, and how many of them there are; and (2) what you will do to tell them about your book, why they should buy it, and where to find it.

4.  Technical competence

It is virtually impossible to be an author without being computer literate. Moreover, to sustain yourself in this business you have to have an online presence and uninterrupted access to the Internet. Even if you don’t want to be connected 24/7, you do have be accessible and be able to communicate with others in a timely manner. There is so much equip- ment to help you stay in touch, from smart phones to tablets, and so many ways to meet, from Facetime to Skype. The problem is more often how to unplug and find some quiet time, which is as important as being connected.

5.  Self-confidence

Writers put words on paper for public consumption, and sometimes, that’s a scary business. Why? Isn’t that what we are supposed do? Yes, that is what writers do. Does it take courage to write something—a book, for example—and let someone else read it? Yes, in reality, it takes a great deal of audacity to do it time after time; day after day; sometimes, year after year. In fact, there are few aspects of writing—especially a book—that don’t require just plain chutzpah.

If all of these strengths seem like an impossibly tall order, thinking about them one at a time will put them in perspective. Writing a book is like any other long-term activity; you need to stay in shape, both physically and mentally, to do it. While you are working you have to concentrate on what you’re doing. Your book should provide a benefit to your ideal reader, which is another way to describe marketing. Finally, you must be able to work with the tools of your trade.

•••

5 Questions Aspiring Authors Should Answer

You want to write a book, or at least you think you do. You’ve got a great idea, or at least you think you do. People tell you have got a best seller. You’re not so sure. You’ve heard that writing a book is really hard, but you’ve also heard it’s a piece of cake. No wonder you’re confused. How do you know if this is the right thing to do? Here are 5 questions aspiring authors should answer before you commit to writing a book.

1.  Why do you want to write this book?

If you are a first-time author you need a good reason to write a book. Why? Because it’s a long haul, and being in love with your topic will help you get through the journey. If you do a good job of promoting your book, you may actually make money on it. Although, if that is your reason, think again. That’s not a good reason, and it may not happen. You need a better reason—a mission. What do you want to accomplish? What value do you want to deliver to the reader? Like that old TV commercial, Where’s the beef? your question should be, What’s the benefit?

2.  What’s holding you back from writing it?

Is it that writing a book is an overwhelming project? Perhaps you feel you wouldn’t even know where to begin? Or, is it that your plate is so full, you simply don’t have the time? You can overcome every one of these reasons! All big projects seem overwhelming when you view them in their totality. Mountain climbers preparing to climb the Himalayas don’t expect to do it all in a single day. They do it one step at a time, and that is exactly how one writes a book. Anything you do for the first time has an element of mystery, simply because you haven’t done it before, but a visit to any bookstore will clearly demonstrate how many thousands of people have solved the mystery.

3.  Do you have what it takes to write a book?

First, it takes desire. Do you really want to write this book? You must be excited about your topic and believe you can keep that desire alive through every step of the process. Second, you need a plan. You need to think through every aspect of your book from its content to its marketing before you begin. Because a nonfiction book takes months to plan, research, and write, the third thing you need is a long attention span to keep you interested and involved. The fourth element is persistence—doing what has to be done, sticking with it even when it’s not fun, and reasserting your commitment as many times as necessary. Finally, you need support and guidance from a writing coach, a good editor, a book on writing, or even a writing group. This can make all the difference between going on and giving up.

4.  How is your book unique, special, important?

There are probably many other books on your topic. You need to know what they are, how your book is different or better, what void in the market it will fill, what problem it will help solve, how readers will benefit from reading it, and why anyone would buy it. Sources of this information are Amazon, Google or your favorite search engine, and, of course, real bookstores. Don’t be concerned if you find that your topic is not unique. In fact, you don’t want it to be unique. You want it to be better.

5.  What makes you uniquely qualified to write it?

If you are a bona fide expert, this will be easy to answer. Simply show how your credentials relate to the topic. Other- wise, consider your relationship to the subject matter. Why does it interest you? Is it a memoir or a personal recollection? An outgrowth of your education or work? A topic you have thoroughly researched? A philosophical or spiritual exploration? Why are you the best person to write it?

If you have spent some time answering the questions, you should have a clearer idea of whether you really want to write a book. That’s important information. If the answer is yes, you’ve given yourself a green light to proceed.

•••

5 Rules for New Authors

When you write your first book, there seems to be so much to learn. Even when you read a few books on how to write a book, there are subtleties that will become second nature as your experience as an author grows. But there are 5 rules for new authors that it pays to learn as early in the process as possible.

1.  Before you write, you must have a plan; that plan is called a book proposal. There are several steps in writing a nonfiction book. The first one, however, is not writing; it is planning. It may sound like a cliché, but just as you wouldn’t set out on a road trip without a map, you don’t start a book without a plan. This is where many first-time authors go wrong. Perhaps you have the romantic idea that one begins a book by sitting down at the computer and just letting it flow. The truth is that, by the time you reach the point of actually writing, you should have done a whole lot of thinking, answering tough questions, and carefully constructing the answers.

2.  You must be able to explain your book and its main benefit in a single sentence. This is not as easy as it may seem. For one thing, this sentence forces you to capture the essence of your book in one brief, descriptive statement that tells the reader what to expect (e.g., this book will answer a question, solve a problem, explain how to do something). Your sentence is a promise to the reader about the book’s purpose, content, or benefits.

3.  Every writer needs an editor—a professional editor. There are no exceptions! Just for starters, there are several stages of your writing in which you might need an editor to help:

• Clarify your concept

• Plan and organize your material

•  Think globally about how the parts fit together

• Read for content, consistency, and style

• Craft a catchy title

• Check for grammar, punctuation, and typos

If you are writing a book, you may even need more than one editor, since different kinds of editors specialize in different aspects of preparing a book for publication.

4. It is important to understand your publishing options and which one is right for