Writing Your Book

Writing Your Book and Getting it Published

Writing your book may be easy but what about getting it published? If you've ever dreamed of being a published author you need to get down to the nitty-gritty of understanding the publishing industry. While authoring a book might seem glamorous and exciting, many first time authors are disillusioned by their first experiences of the business side of writing.

Here are some tips for writing your book and getting it published:

Make sure that the idea for your book is going to work. Writing your book the way you want it might not always work. Sometimes books need to be tailored to suit specific audiences. Writing your book requires doing in-depth research on the subject.

Make sure that you check for other books on the subject when writing your book. This is important as a resource as well as understanding who your competition is. Research the proposed title of the book to make sure there are no books out there with the same name. You might want to do this during the writing process and just before you publish it. Choose a working title and set about drafting the cover copy.

Setting up a binder with dividers, front and back matter and mock-up covers can be useful while you are writing your book. You can place your research materials in chapter piles and gather more as needed. Decide whether you want to type your book yourself or dictate it for processing by a typist.

Arrange your first or rough drafts in your binder. This will help you feel more organized and provide a visual of your progress. Draft a list of questions that will help you while writing your book. Start answering these questions. If you are going to use illustrations in your book draw up a list of photos and drawings that you will need. It may take time to locate them so start hunting.

Once you have a third draft get your book reviewed by sending out chapters for feedback. Compile the reviews for use on the back covers or page one. While writing your book send out short excerpts for review if you like. The fourth draft of your book should include editing, fixing punctuation, grammar, and style as well as fact checking.

Next decide whether to sell to a publisher or to self-publish your book. Contact an agent to help promote your book and draft a book proposal. Once you are published you need to start Marketing Your Book. Writing your book is one thing but now you need to make it sell. Send out review copies, host autograph parties, give interviews, list your book online. In short, do whatever it takes to get your book out there and accessible to your target audience.