how to write a book on education

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Edupreneur Resources | Jul 31, 2012

How to get started writing and publishing a teaching book

By Angela Watson

Founder and Writer

Do you want to publish an education book or publish a book for teachers? Need tips for writing and publishing education books? On this page, you’ll find information about how I got started writing and publishing books for teachers, and learn how you can write teacher books, too.

How to get started writing and publishing a teaching book

Who Am I to Give Advice?

I’m far from an expert on the subject of publishing books, but I’ve done it successfully three times and I’m honest about the process, so I tend to get a LOT of emails asking for advice. There are many ways to get your book published and make money selling books for teachers, and I’m happy to share what’s worked for me. I can’t guarantee that I’ve done things the “right way,” but I’m enjoying writing books and I’ve been making steady money doing so since 2008. Hopefully when you read my advice, you’ll find some ideas that resonate and will work for you, too.

Video: Advice for Publishing a Book for Educators

Dr. Will Deyamport III interviewed me about educational publishing. In the video below, you’ll hear me speak about:

How I got the ideas for my books and started publishing
Balancing full-time teaching with book writing
What motivates me to write and how I use writing to improve education
The decision between traditional and self-publishing
eBook vs. print copy sales
How to leverage book sales and consulting opportunities
How my writing and creative process works
My advice for those who want to write and publish a book
The importance of promoting your book on social media

Who Said Anything About Publishing? Get Writing!

First things first: most people who worry about how to publish and sell their book haven’t even written the book yet . In fact, I’d say 95% of the people who email me asking for help are still stuck in the “I have a great idea for a book” phrase. My advice is always the same: write the book before you worry about anything else . There are an untold number of half-finished manuscripts languishing in desk drawers. Until you’ve got a book that is well-written (and well-edited), everything else is a moot point.

If you go the traditional publishing route, chances are good that a publisher is going to want to see a complete manuscript before deciding whether or not to publish it. Sure, established authors can just submit proposals, but if you’re an unknown, the publisher will probably not pay you much attention without a finished manuscript. At the very least, they’re going to want the table of contents and some sample chapters.

Having a few chapters done is not enough. How will you know what direction your book will ultimately take? Maybe the first few chapters will end up being redundant, or need to be placed in a different order. And it’s very likely that they won’t be your best work if you haven’t seen how they fit within the larger context of what you’re trying to say. You will probably want to change the title, subtitle, description, etc. before the book is done. So why try to market something that is incomplete and going to change?

If you decide to self-publish, it’s even more important to have a finished product because self-publishing is a much quicker process. You can have a stack of copies in your possession within days of sending the book to the printer, and Amazon will often list it within a week or two. All the self-publishing routes (Lulu, Smashwords, etc.) have similar requirements for formatting, etc., so you really don’t need to select your self-publishing option until the book is basically done.

So, in case I haven’t been clear: Stay focused on writing your book. That’s the hardest part, and once you’ve got that done, there will be tons of options open to you. The publishing industry is evolving so quickly that it’s becoming easier to publish a book with every year that passes, so there is absolutely no reason to stress out about how to publish a book that you haven’t even written yet.

How Do You Know What to Write?

I think everyone has a book inside them. And every teacher I know has a teaching idea or perspective that deserves to be shared with the world. Don’t doubt yourself! Write what’s on your heart. Write what has to be written. Write the things that you will lay in bed at night thinking about if you don’t get them out on the page. Don’t worry about how it will be received yet; that part comes during for the editing process. Right now? Write.

Editing Your Manuscript

You will need to have your book professionally edited before you submit it to a publisher or try to self-publish it. Remember, you want your very best work to be shown to the world. It’s also helpful to have the perspective of an outside party who’s not personally invested in your book. It’s better to get brutal honesty from your editor than from Amazon reviewers after the book is published. (Ouch.)

Okay, Fine, Now Let’s Talk About Publishing

There are a lot of paths you can take to get your book into the hands of readers. The only one I would NOT recommend is using a vanity press, which is a company you pay to publish your book. That’s just not necessary in 2014.

One good option is to submit your book to some publishing houses in hopes of getting published. I’ve never gone that route as I wanted to have complete editorial control over my books and also did not want to share royalties with a publishing company. I hear that trying to get your book accepted in traditional publishing can be a lengthy, frustrating process, although it’s not nearly as painful for education books and I know quite a few teachers who have had their books published that way. There are a number of reputable education publishers who accept titles from new authors (including classroom teachers), so if you do your research, you may find something that works for you. You might want to check out Scholastic, Evan-Moor, Jossey-Bass, ASCD, Kagan, Eye on Education, etc. Although I do have connections with people at each of these publishing houses, I cannot recommend your book to any of them. I’m sorry!

Be sure to ask lots of questions about the royalty rate you will receive. There are some publishers (none that are listed above) that will pay teachers a very small flat rate for their book and then the company owns the content and never pays out another dime. You’d do far better selling your book as a PDF on TeachersPayTeachers or TeachersNotebook than taking a flat rate from a big publishing house. Don’t do it! You deserve to earn profits from your book every time it sells–and books in the education genre should continue to sell well for many years.

Another path is to start your own publishing company. This is what I chose to do. I started my own business for both publishing and consulting services and called it Due Season Press and Educational Services . I established a PO Box and DBA, bought a block of ISBNs, and set up an account with Lightning Source (which does Print-On-Demand printing and handles all book distribution.) This was a relatively simple process that gives me full control over my books and cuts out the middle man: only Lightning Source and either Amazon or PayPal take a cut from my book sales. The other advantage is that I can do educational consulting and professional development services based on my books , all under one company that I own personally.

A third option–and probably the easiest, most common one–is to self-publish using Smashwords, Lulu, or another self-publishing service. Like starting your own publishing company, self-publishing also cuts out the middle man and maximizes your control and royalties. I don’t know a lot about the companies that offer these services, although I know many authors who have used Lulu and Smashwords, and most are pretty satisfied.

If you’re thinking about self-publishing, I highly recommend the book Self-Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self-Publishing by Catherine Ryan Howard. Catherine kindly sent me a review copy of the Kindle version and I was thrilled to see that she spells out exactly what to do if you want to self-publish your book (or more accurately, self-print: when you read the book, you’ll understand the difference). Her blog Catherine, Caffeinated is also extremely helpful and has all kinds of great tips for anyone wanting to self-publish a book. Both the book and the blog provide a lot of information about promoting and marketing your books.

What About eBooks?

Formatting your book for mobile readers is not optional. You need to do it, and it’s a terrific way to make more money from your books because the delivery cost is so much lower than with print copies. By the end of 2009, I was selling more eBooks than hard copies, and each year since then, the ratio of eBook sales to hard copy sales has increased dramatically.

I use a company called eBook Architects to format my books for Kindle (MOBI) and ePUB, although you can do it yourself (and the book Self-Printed that I recommend above will walk you through you through the steps.) I like eBook Architects because I know that the formatting has been correctly completed for every eReader device and there is a lifetime guarantee on their work, so if the formatting requirements change, they’ll fix the books.

Getting the Word Out About Your Books

Most writers (myself included) HATE having to promote and market their books. However, it’s a little known fact outside the publishing world that even if you have a big publishing house behind you, most of the promotion burden still falls on the author. Publishers rely heavily on authors to blog about their books, share them on social media, promote their book tours, etc. It’s a simple fact: no one cares about your book more than you, so you’ll need to be the one to help spread the word.

I’m assuming as you read this that your book is neither written nor published yet, which is actually good in terms of promotion. That gives you time to build up a platform for yourself and connect with others through a website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc. That’s the subject of another article (I touch on it briefly on the Becoming and Educational Consultant page) but the number one thing to remember is this: share high quality content and do it because you enjoy doing so.

If you don’t give away good content on your website/blog, no one will be interested in reading your book. Potential readers need to know what you’re all about and how you write in order to be assured that the book will be valuable to them. Find a way to blog that is enjoyable to you: if it’s not, then you’ll feel like your book is a burden and you’ll get frustrated with the fact that no one is reading it.

Where Should I Sell My Books?

99% of my book sales are made online, either through my website or through Amazon. School systems and universities also buy my books, but they find me online, contact me online, and complete the transaction online. Book stores and teacher supply stores never factor into the equation.

There are literally millions of new books being published, and brick and mortar bookstores simply can’t stock them all. And in 2012, you really don’t NEED a book store to carry your book. Because they have the widest selection of titles and their prices are rock bottom, Amazon has the lion’s share of book sales (and it’s increasing every year). Use that to your advantage.

You may find that it’s worthwhile to visit teacher supply stores in your area to try to get them to stock your book, but it wasn’t worth it for me. I was told that my local store orders all its products a year in advance and I’d have to come back in 9 months to even make my pitch. I’m not interested in working within old-school systems like that and didn’t pursue it. That was in 2009, though, and perhaps things have changed. They also might be different in your area.

There are a few in-person opportunities that HAVE been fruitful for me. If you do consulting or professional development, that’s a great opportunity to promote your books and make sales. Education conferences can also serve as networking places and lead to sales. Try pitching to your school district and see if they’re interested in buying copies, as well.

When Do I Get Rich?

Probably never. But the great thing about writing education books is that they have a long shelf life. The hottest novel only makes the New York Times bestseller list for a short time and then it’s forgotten. But a good education reference book can continue to sell very well for a decade or more. I first published The Cornerstone in 2008 and every year it sells more copies than the year before. In fact, this is true of all three of my books: the more people who stumble across my website, the more book sales I get. And with 75% of teachers quitting within the first 5 years, there’s a whole new crop of potential readers coming up all the time. I don’t mean to sound glib about teacher retention, but there’s certainly no shortage of new teachers who are looking for ideas, and as a writer/publisher, this works strongly to your advantage.

Angela Watson

Great post, Angela! When I wrote my book, I submitted a sample of the activities to a bunch of different educational publishing companies. I just sat down with all of my teacher material books and checked the covers. Many of them had a list of where to send manuscripts. You can read more about how my process went at http://www.mrsjoyhall.com/becoming-a-published-author/ . I totally agree with you about self-publishing to keep the rights to the book. It almost felt like I was giving something away. If anyone is thinking about writing a book, I say GO FOR IT! 🙂 Joy from Joy of Teaching

So I retired after 35 years and mainly taught high school sp Ed to voc students. I have written about 30 short stories. Each story has a common 3 part reading response. ie #1 5 sentence chapter summary #2 teacher led creative writing activity #3 3 comprehension questions.

I just want some company to take them on to publish where I receive a royalty. Any ideas where I should go? I live in Canada.

Angela, thanks so much for all of your help. You have become quite the mentor to me without even knowing it! I have two books in the works and cannot wait to set up a time to chat once they’re finished. Thank you again so much for your guidance!

Aw, you’re so welcome, Gretchen! You’re going to love tomorrow’s blog post then–a teacher who published a children’s book is going to share her advice. 🙂

I have written a book about poetry 25% is my original writing and 75% are examples of what 4th and 5th graders have written over the years. Is there an audience for this kind of book? The writing is amazing!

Many thanks,

Mary Groesch

Hi, Mary! There certainly might be an audience for it. My advice is to start building that audience now through a blog and social media…and most importantly, an email list. Focus on sharing great, helpful free content, and then get that book published and into the hands of those who would want to read it!

I found your information very fascinating. I am almost done with a book for teachers or others who was to teach kids how to write poetry. I had a significant stroke, though many people say they can’t tell, in 2011 and ended up retiring early in 2013. I’ve talk in the U.S. for 26 yrs/ and 5 yrs in international school in South America. I was trained by master teachers in progressive approach. I’ve traveled to 36 countries, given writing workshops mainly in foreign countries. I was trained by National Geographic from 1990 until almost 2010. Needless, the say, I have many, many examples of the children/parents given me their consent use their work. How should I go about publishing it?

Hi, Mary! I highly recommend self-publishing. You can upload the PDF directly to CreateSpace.

Hi Angela, I’m no book expert but last year a primary school in Belfast asked me to consult on their music. I wrote a full, detailed scheme of work for the full primary years P1 – P7 and went into the school and taught each class every week. By doing this I had written a practical, exciting music scheme for non-specialists which tied in to the curriculum, taught it to each class for a full year and trained the teachers to teach it themselves in subsequent years. The Headteacher wrote a fabulous recommendation for my work and advised that I publish and sell it to schools. Her teachers are all independently following my scheme now and it works. I have no idea where to even start! Any advice? Christine.

I think the advice here would definitely work for you. You can self-publish for sure.

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Classroom Q&A

With larry ferlazzo.

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to [email protected]. Read more from this blog.

Advice for Teachers Who Want to Write a Book

(This is the first post in a three-part series.)

The new question-of-the-week is:

What is your advice for active K-12 educators who might be thinking about writing a book?

Many of us feel like we have books “in us.”

In theory, many educators (at least, those who don’t have little kids at home) might have a little more time over the next few months to devote to writing.

This series is designed to support teachers if that theory reflects reality.

Today, educators Sarah Cooper, Tom Rademacher, Rita Platt, and Pernille Ripp share their experiences writing books while teaching at the same time. In Part Two, editors from publishing houses will contribute their suggestions. Part Three will again feature active K-12 teachers writing about their very recent trials and tribulations.

You might also be interested in three previous posts that have appeared here on the same topic:

* ‘Write the Book You Wish You Had on Your Bookshelf’

This final post in a series on teachers writing books shares advice from Kimberly Carraway, Erik Palmer, Jeffrey Benson, and Cathie E. West. In addition, I share a few comments from readers.

* ‘Teachers Make Great Authors’

Allison Scott, Julia Thompson, and Vicki Davis share suggestions for teachers who would like to write a book and get it published. This is the second post in a three-part series.

* Educators Wanting to Write a Book ‘Must Go for It!’

Marjorie McAneny, Alan Sitomer, PJ Caposey, and Steven Anderson share their suggestions for educators who want to write a book.

In addition, here are some additional resources I’ve collected: So, You Want To Write A Book? Here’s The Best Advice...

Six tips for writing a book

Sarah Cooper teaches 8th grade U.S. history and is dean of studies at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada, Calif. She is the author of two books, Creating Citizens (Routledge, 2018) and Making History Mine (Stenhouse, 2009). Sarah speaks at conferences and writes for sites including Well-Schooled, Bookclique, MiddleWeb, CivXNow, iCivics, and the Modern Civics Project. All of her recent writing can be found at sarahjcooper.com :

Writing a book about teaching is not as hard as it seems. You don’t need an agent, and cold submissions can be very successful.

In 2007, I had been teaching for almost a decade, always fascinated by curriculum design, and wanted to put my history lesson plans to good use beyond the classroom.

First, I queried Heinemann, which had a temporary hiatus on publishing social studies books because they didn’t sell that well (still don’t, in general, compared with English and general literacy books). An editor there kindly directed me to Stenhouse Publishers.

My first book, Making History Mine: Meaningful Connections for Grades 5-9 , emerged after a Stenhouse submission which included an outline and sample chapter, followed by another sample chapter four months later, followed by an offer two months after that.

My second book, Creating Citizens: Teaching Civics and Current Events in the History Classroom , jump-started itself. An editor at Routledge’s Eye on Education, which partners with MiddleWeb on K-12 titles, wanted someone to write about teaching in a controversial political climate and had read my MiddleWeb blog posts about current events.

Here’s what I’ve learned from publishing two books nearly 10 years apart:

Write a pedagogy book because you know you have something to say - not because you’re hoping it will sell a ton of copies and help you quit your day job. This could be a happy consequence, but it shouldn’t be why you’re writing.

Survey the field before you query. Any proposal should address how your book would be different from what is already out there. If it’s not fresh, keep thinking.

Query committed educational publishing companies such as Stenhouse , Heinemann , Routledge , ASCD , and Corwin . They are actively looking for new voices and believe in supporting authors and teachers.

Listen to your editors. I don’t like admitting it, but every time I received substantial edits, I chafed. Inevitably, though, I realized my editor was right. Through the revision process, I grew as a writer and a teacher, as when my Stenhouse editor suggested that reading about the times I had failed as a teacher was more interesting than hearing about success. And I had renewed empathy for my students when they needed to revise their own drafts based on my comments!

Seize writing time when you can . Sometimes a 20-minute interval can be enough to get down a paragraph or a page. At other times, you may need an uninterrupted two or three hours to let ideas spool out. I wrote my first book while on a six-month maternity leave with my second son (born in March, with perfect “teacher baby” timing!) and my second book while getting a master’s degree through the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. I would not have chosen this timing for either book, but there will never be a perfect time, and sometimes you just have to get started.

Realize that your writing will inform your teaching and vice versa. This symbiosis will keep you honest in your writing and with your students, and it has been perhaps the richest unexpected consequence of publishing. I’m a more creative teacher because writing regularly keeps me experimenting.

Seeing yourself as a researcher and author in addition to a teacher is thrilling - good luck!

“Write your book”

Tom Rademacher is an 8th grade English teacher in the Minneapolis area. His book, It Won’t Be Easy, An Exceedingly Honest (and slightly unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching, was released in April 2017 and was a finalist for a Minnesota Book Award. His writing has also appeared in Education Post, City Pages, MinnPost, and Huffington Post. In 2014, he was honored as Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year. You can find him at www.mrtomrad.com:

For the first chunk of teaching, eight years or so, I knew that while I was a writer, and while I was a teacher, that I was not someone who wrote about teaching.

I tried. I was very, very bad at it. My attempts came off like a mixture between awful spoken word poetry, stand-up comedy, and the answers one would give when their grandma asked, “How’s school?” Somewhere during that eighth or ninth year, I finally had some teacher thoughts that maybe were good enough to write down. I was ready, at last, for my teacher book.

I had this grand unifying theory of teaching, or at least pieces of it that I was starting to draw lines between in my head. Questions I had about teaching had been answered, and a little digging would surely uncover the magical codex that made every nonsense moment make total sense. I worried about fitting the whole thing into just one book.

I started writing and couldn’t stop. I was a madman, possessed with the fury and fire of this missive, possessed with the need to transcribe everything I had come to understand about this profession during my near-decade. Then I stopped writing. I had written it all down. Every single thing. It was almost two whole pages and had taken me the better part of half an hour.

It was not a book. It was barely long enough to be a blog post.

A couple years later, I did end up writing a book, even publishing it and everything and having the truly and consistently stunning experience of having lots of people read and like it.

I dunno, it felt a little like working really hard to grow a new internal organ and then cutting it out for people to look at and pass around. But, you know, no big deal.

I’ve had a few other teacher friends who have published. The first teacher book I ever truly loved was Jose Vilson’s This is Not a Test. Shanna Peeple’s book Teach Like Socrates should be mandatory for everyone in the world. Megan Olivia Hall just released a book of cool science experiments for kids that includes all the awesome teachy stuff those experiments show. There are others, yes, and each book is the best teacher book I’ve ever read and also makes me feel jealous and bad about myself.

But I was asked for advice, and advice I shall give. There is much advice on publishing and stuff out there. I have found Google dot com to be a very helpful website for finding that sort of how to submit and contracts and self vs. small vs. large press stuff.

Instead, I’ll try to give you the best advice I can manage that is specific to writing teachery books about teachery stuff. Hopefully, that will help, and, if not, Google dot com is, really, a website I cannot recommend enough. Spelled just like it sounds, if you ever forget.

Write Easy:

Teaching is hard. We get used to it being hard. Writing is often no walk on the beach, either. So, yes, the combination can be a pain in the ass. But the problem with torturing yourself to write is that it will often feel like torture to read. So, yeah, give yourself permission not do that. “Write Easy” was my mantra while I finished up the first draft of my manuscript. Any time I got too furrow-browed about it, any time the words felt forced and the practice felt painful, I took a step back.

Write Simple:

Some of the most impactful parts of my book, the parts people have posted or written me letters about, are things that almost didn’t make it. I like to think I’m a pretty smart dude and I get really excited about the ideas I have that feel the most groundbreaking and out there. While editing my book, I had circled a few sections that felt a little too obvious, a little too simple, but ultimately decided to leave them in since it was directed at new teachers.

It turns out that the things that felt too simple to me were exactly what a whole lot of people felt they needed to hear. Readers needed a foundation of how my philosophy and practices evolved, and in different places and different departments, conversations that have been normal and old-hat in one place may not have ever happened in another. Good teacher books are silo-busters.

Write When You Can:

If there’s one thing about writing I know for sure, it is this: Every other writer writes more than you do.

I mean ... it certainly feels that way anyway. You see a tweet or Facebook post about someone maybe considering writing a book, and then two days later they share a picture of the finished manuscript. Writers celebrate daily word-count goals that you haven’t hit in the last three months combined.

It’s OK. Really. Write when you can.

Sometimes, I grab a little time and energy before school starts or during my lunch break. Often, I get an hour or two during a weekend when my kiddo is otherwise occupied and I have either gotten all the laundry, cleaning, and cooking done I had planned to do or, far more frequently, have decided to ignore the rest of my life because I feel compelled to write.

Whatever your schedule, whatever your timetable, whatever your practice, it is yours, and that’s OK. Some books take a few months, and some take many years. Neither path makes a book or a writer necessarily better or worse.

Write Your Book:

There is a method to book writing that involves surveying the market and looking for specific gaps in what is available or in groups that are targeted and then tailoring your book to fill that gap. It’s an OK way to get a book written but not a great way to write your book, the book you could and should write.

You are an expert in your own experience. Start there.

You are the most effective communicator of your own beliefs. Share them.

Your name will be on the front of this thing, whatever it turns out to be. Make sure it’s something that speaks for you, that speaks from you. Write your book.

“Get writing!”

Rita Platt (@ritaplatt) is a national-board-certified teacher and a proud #EduDork! Her experience includes teaching learners of all levels from kindergartner to graduate student. She is currently the principal of St. Croix Falls and Dresser Elementary Schools in Wisconsin, teaches graduate courses for the Professional Development Institute, and writes for MiddleWeb:

Last year, I wrote and published my first book, Working Hard, Working Happy: Cultivating a Climate of Effort and Joy in Your Classroom ! Thanks to the help of the amazing John Norton and Susan Curtis at MiddleWeb and the incredibly supportive Lauren Davis at Routledge Eye on Education , I was able to make a lifelong dream come true. Below are my best tips and hints on how to start down a road that will lead you to writing your own book.

Know What You Love: Teaching and learning is my passion. Education is my hobby, job, profession, and vocation. Before I wrote a book, I had spent thousands of hours thinking about my theories and philosophies and gaining a solid vision for what I wanted to say and why I needed to say it. Dave Burgess (you know the pirate guy) helped me to realize that when a writer plans to develop a book, the content should fill her/his heart and mind so completely that s/he HAS to share it! He advises that the writer think of her/his book as being a magnum opus. I love that advice because it was spot-on for me. When I wrote my book, it was filled to the brim with content that I believe every educator must be exposed to. Writing it was a work of passion, typing the pages was spilling my secrets with the hope that they would impact practice far and wide. I would suggest if you’re not feeling that strongly about the book you want to write, you might not be ready to write it.

Write, Write, and Then Write More : If you have the hope of writing a book, you need to feel like a writer, and for me, the only way to do that was to write and publish. A lot. Early in my career, I realized that it was important to write and share my ideas wherever I could (partial publication list with links is here .) Three opportunities really helped me operationalize my writing life. One, a friend had just started a teacher site, We Teach, We Learn , and he encouraged me to write and post pieces as often as I like. Two, I was lucky enough to cyber-meet Larry Ferlazzo and began writing short pieces for his Classroom Q & A column (this very one!). Three, I started reviewing books for MiddleWeb . Each of these low-pressure inroads to being a “real” writer helped me develop my writing skills, gain confidence, and build my professional network. You can do the same! Review for Middleweb, pitch a post to Edutopia , look for calls for short content on your favorite websites or journals. Even better, buy Jenny Rankin’s AMAZING book, Share Your Education Expertise With the World . It’s full of tips to get you started.

Build Your Knowledge Base and Your PLN : Not only is it important to write a ton, but reading and connecting a ton are, too. Do Google searches for the topics you’re interested in and read to get a feel for what’s already out there. Study the style of authors you like - even better, reach out to them, and pick their brains. If you’re not already on Twitter, that is a MUST! Get your handle and hop into weekly chats. Follow me (@ritaplatt) and ask for help, I’ll gladly show you around. On Twitter, you will grow your Professional Learning Network (PLN) in ways that will blow your mind! You will be amazed at how accessible your favorite edu-authors are. Through Twitter, I have met many of my heroes and found each to be open and willing to help me with my own professional writing goals.

To Sum It Up:

Before you write a book, know your message, your edu-passion, and your vision. Don’t write a book until you’re really ready (ask anyone, you’re probably not going to pay the rent from your sales, it can’t be about that).

Write and publish as much as you can and get your writing life in order.

Read everything and anything that will help you learn your craft, grow as a writer, and see what’s already out there.

Build your PLN; you’ll need the feedback and support.

Thanks for reading. Now, get writing!

“Find your own voice”

Pernille Ripp (@pernilleripp) helps students discover their superpower as a former 4th and 5th, but now 7th grade English teacher in Oregon, Wis. She opens up her educational practices to the world on her blog www.pernillesripp.com and is also the creator of the Global Read Aloud Project , a global literacy initiative that has connected millions of students. She is an internationally known educational speaker and also the author of several education books, with her latest release titled Passionate Readers - The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child :

To write a book can often seem like a major “how dare I moment?”

After all, as educators, we are supposed to always think of others, not of ourselves, as we do everything we can to serve the children who are entrusted in our care. And yet, within this profession, the best learning that seems to happen comes from those who have walked this path before us, who took the time, worked through their imposter syndrome, and shared their stories with the world. Who brought their advice, their lessons learned, and their knowledge out to the world in such a way that it encouraged others to step onto their path, perhaps forge their own, and continue the tradition of sharing knowledge so that we all could learn.

So the first piece of advice I have to anyone considering writing a book is this: Find your own voice. What have you learned alongside your students that may be helpful to others? How have you made the messages that surround us all in the education community and made it uniquely your own? How will what you have learned boost the learning of others? My second piece of advice is know whose footsteps you walk in? Who has empowered you to do the work you do? Make sure you acknowledge the shoulders you stand on and give thanks to those who have paved the way. While we often think of original twists to ideas, it is rare that anything is truly unique to us, and so knowing your history of educational practices is important, much like citing research. Write for yourself first, then write for others second, share your work in order to fine tune before approaching a publisher, and also be aware of what is already out there.

My final piece of advice is to make it a priority. We balance a lot as educators, and often, writing a book is not at the top of our list of priorities. But it must be if we are to inspire the next generation of educators, if we are to grow as a collective. Find a routine, much like we would encourage our students to do, and stick to it. Believe in your own worth and write your truth. Invite others into your journey, not because you have the only right answer, but because your thoughts will add to the ongoing educational dialogue and your ideas may be exactly what someone else needs. Do not feel that putting your own words out there is something others need to give you permission for; give yourself permission to share your work and then stay true to the mission, bettering education for all.

Thanks to Tom, Sarah, Rita, and Pernille for their contributions!

Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post.

Consider contributing a question to be answered in a future post. You can send one to me at [email protected] . When you send it in, let me know if I can use your real name if it’s selected or if you’d prefer remaining anonymous and have a pseudonym in mind.

You can also contact me on Twitter at @Larryferlazzo .

Education Week has published a collection of posts from this blog, along with new material, in an e-book form. It’s titled Classroom Management Q&As: Expert Strategies for Teaching .

Just a reminder; you can subscribe and receive updates from this blog via email or RSS Reader. And if you missed any of the highlights from the first eight years of this blog, you can see a categorized list below. The list doesn’t include ones from this current year, but you can find those by clicking on the “answers” category found in the sidebar.

This Year’s Most Popular Q&A Posts

Race & Gender Challenges

Classroom-Management Advice

Best Ways to Begin the School Year

Best Ways to End the School Year

Implementing the Common Core

Student Motivation & Social-Emotional Learning

Teaching Social Studies

Cooperative & Collaborative Learning

Using Tech in the Classroom

Parent Engagement in Schools

Teaching English-Language Learners

Reading Instruction

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Education Policy Issues

Differentiating Instruction

Math Instruction

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Advice for New Teachers

Author Interviews

Entering the Teaching Profession

The Inclusive Classroom

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Teacher Leadership

Relationships in Schools

Professional Development

Instructional Strategies

Best of Classroom Q&A

Professional Collaboration

Classroom Organization

Mistakes in Education

Project-Based Learning

I am also creating a Twitter list including all contributors to this column .

Look for Part Two in a few days ...

The opinions expressed in Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

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How To Write An Educational Book

by Skill Prepare | Aug 18, 2023 | Blog

Are you enthusiastic, about sharing knowledge and creating a lasting impact on the lives of readers? Writing a book provides an opportunity to fulfill these aspirations. Whether you have experience as an educator possess industry expertise or simply hold a wealth of knowledge to impart this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of crafting an educational book that captivates, educates and inspires.

Introduction to Writing an Educational Book

Creating a book goes beyond disseminating information. It involves crafting a resource that empowers readers to learn and develop. Educational books cover an array of subjects ranging from textbooks and curriculum guides to skill based manuals and self help guides. Regardless of the genre or topic the ultimate goal remains consistent; providing readers with in depth comprehension and practical application of the subject matter.

In this guide we will delve into the steps involved in writing a book – right from generating initial ideas to publishing and promoting your work. We will explore the phase by discussing how to select a topic define your target audience and establish goals and objectives. Subsequently we will proceed with planning. Structuring your book in order to ensure it offers both organization and engagement, for readers.

Once we have established the groundwork we will delve into the process of writing and editing. We will emphasize the significance of creating content conducting research and dedicating ample time to editing. Additionally we will explore publishing options to authors and provide strategies, for effectively promoting your educational book to maximize its reach and influence.

Whether you are an aspiring writer or an experienced author seeking to venture into literature this guide equips you with the knowledge and tools to develop a compelling and valuable resource for your readers.

So let us embark on this journey of crafting a book that empowers others through knowledge and education !

Preparing to Write an Educational Book

Before immersing yourself in the writing process it is vital to lay a foundation for your book. This section provides guidance on steps that will help you prepare adequately ensuring that you have a direction and purpose for your book.

Choosing a Topic

The first step, in writing a book involves choosing a topic that aligns with your expertise and passion. Take some time to think about the areas in which you have knowledge and a genuine interest. This will greatly influence your motivation and enthusiasm as you go through the writing process. Make sure to do research to identify market demand and trends so that you can choose a topic that truly resonates with your target audience.

When it comes to selecting a topic, brainstorming and narrowing down ideas is crucial. Start by jotting down all ideas, of how broad or niche they may seem. Explore perspectives, angles and subtopics related to your idea. Once you have a list of ideas evaluate each one based on its viability potential impact and alignment, with your goals. Narrow down your options to choose the topic that will work well for an educational book.

Defining your Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is key in creating a book that effectively meets their needs and interests. Consider factors like the age group and educational level of your intended readers. Are you writing for children, teenagers, college students or professionals? By understanding their requirements and learning preferences you can tailor your content accordingly.

To gain insights into your target audiences preferences consider conducting surveys or interviews. Engage with readers or experts, in the field to gather feedback and understand their challenges, pain points and expectations. This valuable information will help you craft content that deeply connects with your readers providing them with the knowledge and solutions they are seeking.

Setting Clear Goals and Objectives

Before you embark on the writing process it’s essential to define goals and objectives, for your book. By determining the purpose of your book you can shape your content creation in a way that aligns with your vision. Are you aiming to educate, inspire or offer guidance? Clearly defining the desired learning outcomes will guide readers towards achieving their goals after reading your book.

Alongside setting goals it is important to establish a timeline and milestones for your writing journey. This will keep you organized and motivated throughout the stages of writing. Breaking down the writing process into tasks like outlining, researching and writing chapters enables efficient progress. Assigning deadlines to each task ensures a pace towards completing your book in a timely manner.

By preparing and laying a foundation for your educational book you position yourself for success, in creating a valuable resource that caters to the specific needs of your target audience. So lets continue this journey of crafting a book as we move on to the next section.

Planning and Structuring your Educational Book

Once you’ve selected a topic and identified your target audience it’s time to strategize and structure your book. In this section I’ll provide you with insights, on how to create a organized and captivating book that effectively delivers your content.

Creating an Outline

An outline acts as the foundation for your book serving as a roadmap for your writing journey. Begin by outlining the sections of your book, such as the introduction, chapters and conclusion. Each chapter should focus on a subtopic or concept related to your theme.

Within each chapter incorporate subsections or headings to further break down the content and make it easier for readers to navigate through your book. These subsections act as guideposts leading readers through the progression of your ideas and ensuring a flow of information.

Keep in mind that the outline is not set in stone and can be adjusted as you progress with writing. It provides a framework that allows you to organize your thoughts and ideas while maintaining clarity and coherence, in your book.

Developing a Strong Book Title and Subtitles

Your book title is the first impression readers will have of your book. It should be concise, engaging and accurately convey the content and purpose of your book. To come up with title options it’s an idea to brainstorm and gather feedback from trusted individuals or even focus groups. This will ensure that your title resonates well with your intended audience.

In addition subtitles can play a role, in providing clarity about the focus and benefits of your educational book. They give readers information about the content helping them determine if your book is relevant to their needs. A captivating subtitle can attract readers. Offer them a clear understanding of what they can expect from your educational book.

Organizing Content and Information

When writing your book it’s important to think about how you organize and present the content effectively. Consider the order of chapters and topics to ensure an coherent flow of information. Begin with concepts gradually building upon them so that readers grasp the basics before moving on to complex ideas.

To enhance the learning experience for readers consider incorporating visuals like diagrams, charts and illustrations. These visual aids can help clarify concepts and make your content more engaging. Furthermore using examples and case studies that demonstrate real life applications of the knowledge you’re sharing will make it easier for readers to understand and apply the information in situations.

Strive for a balance between theory and practical application, in your book. While its crucial to establish a foundation providing practical advice, exercises and actionable steps will empower readers to apply their newfound knowledge in their own lives or areas of study.

By planning and organizing your book you can create a well structured and captivating resource that effectively imparts valuable information to your readers. Now lets move forward to the section where we delve into the art of writing and editing your book.

Writing and Editing your Educational Book

The process of writing and refining your book is where your ideas truly come alive and take form. In this section we’ll guide you through the steps of crafting informative content while ensuring that your book shines with polish and remains free, from errors.

Writing Engaging and Informative Content

To make your educational book impactful and unforgettable it’s vital to develop a writing style that resonates with your target audience. Consider the tone and voice that will effectively convey your message while maintaining consistency throughout. Whether it leans towards authoritative (or a blend of both) find a writing style that captivates readers attention.

Using concise language is paramount, in writing. Avoid using jargon or complex terminology that might confuse readers. Instead aim for simple writing that maintains the depth and quality of your content. Break down ideas, into understandable explanations that readers can grasp and apply in their lives.

Using stories and real life examples can significantly improve the readers understanding and engagement. Stories have an ability to illustrate concepts in a way while case studies provide tangible instances that demonstrate how the knowledge can be practically applied.

Conducting Thorough Research

Thorough research is essential for creating a book that’s credible and provides accurate up to date information. Rely on sources like journals, reliable websites and expert publications to gather information and support your ideas.

When incorporating sources it’s vital to cite them to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Follow recognized citation styles such, as APA, MLA or any other relevant format throughout your work. This will enhance professionalism. Maintain integrity.

Editing and Proofreading your Manuscript

Editing and proofreading are stages of the writing process. After you’ve finished your draft take time to review and refine your manuscript. Start by evaluating clarity, structure, flow of content. Make sure your ideas are organized in an order with transitions, between chapters and sections.

Take the time to check for any grammar or spelling mistakes that could undermine the professionalism of your book. While using grammar and spell check tools is helpful it’s also worth considering getting assistance from an editor or proofreader. Fresh eyes can often catch errors that you may have missed during self editing.

Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from readers or trusted individuals who can offer insights and suggestions for improvement. Their perspectives can help you refine your content and address any areas that may require clarification or elaboration.

By dedicating time and effort to creating informative content conducting thorough research and carefully editing your manuscript you’ll be able to produce an educational book of high quality that truly resonates with your readers. Now we can move on to the section where we’ll delve into publishing and promoting your book.

Publishing and Promoting your Educational Book

After completing the writing and editing process it’s time to share your book with the world. Effective publishing strategies along with promotion will ensure that your book reaches its intended audience while maximizing its impact. In this section we will explore options for publishing your book well as discuss strategies, for effective promotion.

Choosing a Publishing Method

When it comes to getting your book there you have two main options; traditional publishing or self publishing. Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to publishing houses. They handle tasks, like editing, designing, printing and distributing your book. While this route gives you access to established distribution networks and promotional support it can be a process.

On the other hand, self-publishing allows you to maintain creative control and ownership of your book. With self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark , you can easily publish and sell your book in both print and digital formats. Self-publishing offers flexibility, faster time to market, and higher royalty rates. However, it requires you to take on the responsibilities of editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each approach while keeping in mind your goals, resources and preferences. Research different publishing. Self publishing platforms that align with your vision and requirements. Choose the approach that best suits your needs.

Designing an Eye-Catching Book Cover

An appealing book cover design is essential, in captivating readers attention while effectively representing the essence of your book. To ensure an professional cover, for your book it’s worth considering investing in professional cover design services or learning the fundamentals of graphic design. This will enable you to create a cover that not only grabs attention but also accurately represents the content within.

When designing your book cover take into account the genre, target audience and overall theme of your book. Incorporate imagery, typography and color schemes that align with your topic and resonate with your readers. An pleasing cover will entice readers and increase the likelihood of them picking up your book.

Marketing and Promoting your Book

Another crucial aspect is promoting your book. It’s essential to reach your target audience and generate interest. Building an author platform plays a role in establishing credibility and connecting with readers. Consider developing an author website or blog where you can share content interact with readers and showcase your expertise.

Leverage social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to establish an online presence. Engage with your audience by sharing sneak peeks, behind the scenes content as valuable insights related to the subject matter of your book. Collaborating with influencers or industry experts can help expand your reach by tapping into their established audience base.

Additionally organizing book launch events or virtual tours can create excitement, around your book while attracting attention from readers.

Collaborate with bookstores, libraries or educational centers to organize book signings or speaking engagements. Take advantage of media opportunities such, as interviews, podcasts or guest blogging to showcase your expertise and promote your book to an audience.

Remember that effective promotion requires ongoing effort. Continuously engage with your readers, gather feedback, and adapt your marketing strategies as necessary to ensure exposure and impact for your book.

By selecting your publishing method designing an attention grabbing book cover and implementing marketing strategies. You can help enhance the visibility and reach of your educational book. Now lets move on to the conclusion and wrap up our guide on how to write a book.

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our guide on how to write a book. We’ve explored the steps involved in creating a resource that educates and inspires readers. Lets summarize the points we covered throughout this guide.

We started by understanding the significance of books and their role in sharing knowledge, for lasting impact. Then we delved into the preparation phase. In this discussion we covered the importance of selecting a topic that aligns with your expertise and passion identifying your target audience and establishing goals and objectives.

Moving forward we explored the planning and structure of a book. We emphasized the significance of creating a organized outline developing a book title and subtitles and arranging content in a logical and captivating manner.

Afterward we delved into the process of writing and editing. We discussed strategies for crafting informative content conducting research as well, as ensuring meticulous editing and proofreading. These steps are crucial in delivering a notch book that effectively conveys your message.

Lastly we tackled the aspects of publishing and promoting your book. We explored both publishing options well as self publishing alternatives. Additionally we emphasized the importance of designing an attention grabbing book cover while providing marketing strategies for promotion.

Now that you possess the knowledge and tools to embark on your writing journey, for a book remember that it is a labor of love requiring dedication, perseverance and continuous learning. Embrace the process with enthusiasm while staying motivated throughout. Never underestimate the impact your book can have on the lives of its readers.

Book Reviews / Writing Craft

Learn How to Write an Education Book

by MiddleWeb · Published 02/11/2016 · Updated 11/30/2019

The Educator’s Guide to Writing a Book: Practical Advice for Teachers and Leaders By Cathie E. West (Routledge/Eye on Education, 2016 – Learn more )

Who knew this slim, 140-page book would read more like a summer beach thriller than a didactic, pedantic education tome? With a title like The Educator’s Guide to Writing a Book , I thought the content would be interesting but dry, useful but not necessarily entertaining. However, once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down.

But after reading The Educator’s Guide to Writing a Book , I feel well equipped to do just that. Cathie West takes readers through all the steps of getting a book published: from developing an idea to marketing the finished product. The comprehensive information in this book will give you the confidence to take that idea you have and see it through to completion.

The first chapter is called “Why Write ?” and it hooked me on the second page by describing various reasons people write education books…and reasons why they shouldn’t. It then describes characteristics of successful authors and reminds educators that they already possess them: confidence, commitment, conscientiousness, and courage.

Other sections of the chapter include a discussion of goals for writing, how to create an optimum environment for writing, and an interview with a teacher who is in the process of writing a book. The chapter ends, as all the chapters in this book do, with “Take-Away Tips,” “Reflections—Connections,” “Best Practice” ideas, and a list of references.

The second chapter is about the different types of education books and what readers want from such books. A very helpful table on page 24 lists eight features of what West calls a “best-practice book” and describes each of them, cross-referencing each feature with the chapter in this book that discusses them in greater detail. Since every chapter includes an interview, in Chapter 2 the author talks with an administrator about what makes a book a must-read.

From Prospectus to Publication

The remaining chapters in The Educator’s Guide to Writing a Book cover the process involved in getting a book published. Chapter 3: Book Mechanics and Safeguards, was fascinating. The terms “front matter” and “back matter” are defined, and all the parts of a book are explained. Publishers’ guidelines are also addressed. Chapter 4: Titles, Topics, and Themes, is all about how to find the central idea for your book and how to write a book proposal for a publisher which, I discovered, is called a “prospectus” in the publishing industry.

In Chapter 5: Writing Style and Steps, the importance of finding your own writing style is discussed and tips for writing are provided. West herself writes in an engaging style that is clear and enjoyable to read. This chapter also includes the steps an author goes through when writing a book and the steps a book goes through as it is being readied for publication.

The roles and responsibilities of various people from the publishing company are described in Chapter 6: Publishing People and Processes. Information about contracts is also included. Chapter 7 is the conclusion and reiterates why educators can be successful authors.

Beyond the Text: Plentiful Appendices

Ten appendices offer readers worksheets to help them develop their ideas and writing schedules along with examples of a query letter, a prospectus, and a submission letter. The sample prospectus is for this very book, which is an inspired idea and very useful as readers can see how it was pitched to a publisher. All ten of these appendix resources are helpfully available as free downloads by accessing a URL provided at the beginning of the book.

In addition to the interviews, which also showcase a copy editor, an editor, a principal, and an associate marketing manager and consequently give readers insight into various aspects of the book publishing process, West includes excerpts from email exchanges she had with people from her publishing company to illustrate the points she makes. These are very helpful, too, as are the little tips presented in boxes that are scattered throughout the book.

The only quibble I have, and it is a very small one, is about the design of the boxes that surround the interviews and the three sections at the end of each chapter. The boxes are not enclosed on all four sides, and at first it was a little confusing because I thought the information continued on a following page. Once I realized it didn’t and that was the style for those sections, I got used to it.

The Educator’s Guide to Writing a Book makes the whole process of writing a book much less daunting, much more doable, and much less mysterious. As West writes on page 97, “The level of excitement that comes from signing a contract for a book will be exceeded only when you see your name on the front cover.”

This is an essential resource for any educator who has ever dreamed of seeing their name on the cover of a book they wrote themselves.

________________

Susan Schwartz taught EFL/ESL at universities in Asia and a public school in Massachusetts for 25 years and now creates digital education resources. She has written for TESOL International Administration’s New Ways series of books, English Teaching Forum , The Journal of the Imagination in Language Learning , and Pelangi: An Education Magazine about Indonesia , among other journals. Someday, she hopes to publish a book combining her interests in ESL, travel photography and social studies.

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Your affirmative and well developed critique of The Educator’s Guide to Writing a Book is much appreciated. Every educator has stories to tell that will help others—teachers, school level leaders, and district administrators—perfect their performances. I hope that my book helps educators share their hard-won wisdom and experiences. — Cathie E. West, Author

I’m a true fan of great writing, however, I would like to know more about writing an educational book for a large university class etc. Thanks.

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Writing a textbook – Advice for authors

What is a textbook.

Is written for primarily students. Whilst the textbook may also be of interest to other audiences, such as researchers, the main audience should be students
Supports a course: there must be courses being taught at multiple universities for which the textbook would be suitable. The textbook could either be the only textbook recommended for the course, or it could be a more supplementary textbook that would appear on a recommended reading list.

Why write a textbook?

There can be several reasons why a textbook gets written:

There is no textbook on the topic: if this is a relatively new area or perhaps a more niche topic then perhaps no-one has written a textbook to support courses yet
Existing textbooks are inadequate: perhaps current textbooks don’t cover the topic very well and you have to dip in and out of several different textbooks to cover all the topics you need. Perhaps current textbooks are outdated and haven’t kept up with the research, meaning you have to do a lot of work providing your own notes to supplement these textbooks
Prestige!: you could write the textbook on the topic and become a household name (in academic circles at least!)
The opportunity to expand the impact of your educational materials by working with an internationally recognized publisher who can promote and disseminate the textbook to a global audience

You should carry out market research to ensure there is an audience for your textbook and to help you understand what the competing textbooks would be:

Is there a market for the textbook: are other people teaching similar courses? Is this course taught at universities around the world?
What should be covered in the textbook: look at how other instructors teach this course - what topics are commonly taught? These should feature in your textbook
How should you structure the textbook: again, looking how this course is taught, is there a common order that the topics are taught? Your textbook should reflect this
What features to competing textbooks include: If they all have exercises then yours probably should too. Is there anything that you could add to your textbook to make it stand out from the others, e.g. case studies, definitions of key terms, etc.?
Look at reviews of competing textbooks: what do readers like/dislike about the textbook? Have a look at sources such as Amazon and speak to colleagues about the textbooks they use

Have a vision for the textbook! Before you begin writing a proposal for a textbook or approaching a publisher, you should have a clear idea in your mind about what the textbook will be:

Who am I writing this textbook for: have a clear understanding of who your target audience is i.e. what level of degree course will this textbook support?
What is the objective of my textbook: Why is this textbook needed? Will it be a core course textbook, i.e. the only textbook for the course, or will it be more supplementary i.e. only covering part of a course and appearing on a recommended reading list? How will it meet a course curriculum?
How will students benefit from my textbook: will they gain an in-depth understanding of a topic, or develop a skill set to understand a particular problem, etc.?
Do I have already material that I can turn into a manuscript: can I repurpose my own lecture notes, slides, assignments/course questions, etc.?

There are a few final points to consider before you start writing, or to bear in mind as you are writing.

Prerequisite knowledge: what topics or concepts should readers already be familiar with? Do you need to review these or further explain them?
Self-contained: students typically want a one-stop resource so you should try to ensure that as much of the information that student needs is presented in your textbook
Modular chapters: students will likely dip in and out of the textbook rather than read it linearly from start to finish so try to make chapters self-contained where possible, so they can be understood out of context of the rest of the textbook
Succinct and to the point: keep focused on the course that the textbook is supporting and the topics that need to be covered. Avoid including less relevant topics, very advanced topics, explanations of concepts that students should already understand, and any other content which may not actually be useful to the student
Didactic elements: elements such as exercises, case studies, definitions and so on help break up the main chapter text and make it more engaging. Consider what didactic elements you want to include before you start writing so you can ensure that the main chapter text provides the right information to support the didactic element e.g. that a concept is adequately explained in order to answer an exercise question, or that theory is suitably described before a corresponding case study is given
Writing style: textbooks can have a lighter, more conversational writing style than monographs and references works. Try to use active rather than passive sentences e.g. “It is believed by some physicians that…” becomes “Some physicians believe that…”
Online resources: if you have exercises, consider writing a solutions manual for instructors so they don’t have to work out all the solutions themselves. Are there data sets, spreadsheets, programs, etc., that would be useful for students to access so they can test concepts themselves? The same copyright issues apply for online resources as for the print book – see Obtaining permissions for further information
Write an Introduction to explain who the textbook is for and how it should be used: confirm the level of the students e.g. 3rd year undergraduates; confirm the course that the textbook supports; list any prerequisites or assumptions you have made about the student’s background knowledge; explain how the textbook could be used. If applicable, identify core must-read chapters and chapters which are more advanced or optional; provide short summaries of the chapters (just a sentence or two)
Test your material as you write: use your draft chapters as part of your lecture course and see how students respond to it. Do they understand the concepts you are explaining? Are they able to complete any exercises?

Important downloads (manuscript guidelines and SEO tips)

How to Write a Book: The Ultimate Guide (with Free Book Idea Worksheet!)

by Joe Bunting | 0 comments

You want to write a book. Maybe you have a great story idea. Maybe you have a big idea you want to share with the world. Maybe people have told you, “Your life should be made into a book!” But first, you have to learn how to write a book.

The problem for the first-time author is figuring out how to get started. What are the writing habits you need to finish the actual writing for an entire book? And what comes next for your writing goals: traditional publishing? Self-publishing? Becoming a New York Times bestselling book? A long and illustrious writing career?

Because after coaching thousands of writers to write and finish their books, and also writing fifteen books of my own, I know exactly how much hard work it takes to finish a book.

It's not enough to want to write, you need to know how to write a book.

You need to have the right process. The write process, you might say (sorry, I had to!).

In this guide, we're going to learn everything about how to write a nonfiction book, from how to defeat procrastination and find writing time, all the way to revising and the editing process—and even to the publishing process.

If you've ever wanted to write a book, whether a memoir, a big idea book, or a self help book, you're in the right place.

If, on the other hand, you're a fiction writer and have a main character who you know is going to take the world by storm, we have a complete guide on novel writing here . For you nonfiction writers, though, read on for all our best writing tips.

And that free book idea worksheet ? Here's your FREE download: Book Idea Worksheet

Quick Tip: The Best Tool to Write a Book

Before we get started, here's a quick tip for writing a book, Microsoft Word just doesn't cut it.

My favorite writing tool is Scrivener, a book writing software used by the most successful writers. Scrivener helps you stay organized, set word count goals, and keep better track of your writing sessions. Check out our full review of Scrivener here.

How to Fail Writing a Book

In 2011, I had one of the best years of my life. That year, I wrote my first book, became a full-time writer, got my first book published , became a bestselling author, and had 80,000 people read my writing.

But it didn't happen overnight. I had dreamed about and had been working toward those goals for eight years before that: eight years of failure, of trying to write books and not being able to finish them, eight years of wanting to be a writer but not knowing how to actually do it .

Since then, I've written fifteen books, including one book that recently hit the Wall Street Journal bestsellers list.

You might be thinking, “That's cool, Joe. But you're clearly a talented writer. Writing is hard work for me.”

To be honest, it doesn't come easy to me. In fact, if I told my high school English teachers I'm a writer, they would probably be shocked.

The difference is that I found the right process. It's a step-by-step process that works every time, and it will work for you too.

In this guide, I'm going to share the process that I've used to write fifteen books, become a professional writer, and hit the bestsellers list.

But it's not just me. I've also trained thousands of people in our 100 Day Book program to finish books using this process, too.

It works, and it will work for you, if you follow it.

That being said, if you're still not sure you can actually do this alone, or if you just want some extra help along the way, check out 100 Day Book . In this program, we've helped thousands of aspiring writers turned authors to accomplish their dream of writing a book, and we'd love to help you, too. Click to learn more about 100 Day Book here.

How to Write a Book: 12 Steps to Writing a Book

Here's the process I finally learned after that decade of trying to learn how to write a book and failing, the same twelve steps that have helped me write fifteen books.

1. Come Up With a Great Book Idea

If you're here, you probably have a book idea already. Maybe you have several ideas.

And if that's true, great! Pat yourself on the back. You've made it to step one.

Here's what to do next: forget any sense accomplishment you have.

Yes, I'm serious.

Here's what George R.R. Martin said:

“Ideas are useless. Execution is everything.”

Because the thing is, an idea alone, even a great idea, is just the small step to write your book.

There are a lot more steps, and all of them are more difficult than coming up with your initial idea. (I'm sorry if that's discouraging!)

You have an idea. Great! Next, it's time to learn how to execute the way successful authors do. Let's get started with step 2.

(Don't have an idea yet? Check out this article: How to Write When You Don't Have Ideas .)

2. Write Your Book Idea In the Form of a 1-Sentence Premise

The next step to taking your idea and turning it into a book is to summarize your idea into a single-sentence premise.

But wait, what's a premise ?

A premise distills your entire book idea down to a single sentence. This sentence becomes the foundation of all your writing efforts and will be helpful even into publishing process.

Your premise is also the most important part of a book proposal, so a good premise can actually help you get published.

Here’s an example of a nonfiction premise from my book The Write Structure , which got half a dozen responses from agents.

The Write Structure utilizes The Write Practice’s (thewritepractice.com) award-winning methodology to show creative writers how to write their best novels, memoirs, short stories, or screenplays by following story structure principles used and taught by writers for hundreds of years.

Each nonfiction book premise should contain the following three elements:

A problem . The problem the book aims to solve (in this case, how to write a good novel, memoir, short story, or screenplay)
A person . Who is the person sharing the solution to that problem, e.g. you
A solution . What is your unique process to solve that problem

By simplifying your book down to a single sentence, you create a strong, achievable foundation to your entire book. Not only will this simple step help you during the writing process, it will also help you throughout the publishing process, too, which we'll talk about more in a bit.

Ready to write your premise? To make it easier we have a free worksheet template that will guide you through writing a publishable premise: Download the worksheet here.

Or get a copy of our Write Plan Planner , and have a physical tool to guide you through the writing process. Check out the planner here.

3. Choose Your Publishing Path

When you're writing nonfiction, you have to choose your publishing path earlier than creative writers because most nonfiction books are picked up by publishers before they're written.

In fact, it's a red flag in the eyes of traditional publishers and literary agents if you've finished your book before you pitch them. They want to see a book proposal first, and have a hand in the shaping of the book.

That means, if you're writing nonfiction, and you want to get traditionally published, before you go write your own book, you must write a book proposal.

However, if you're writing a memoir, you may need to finish writing the book before you seek publishing. Memoir exists in something of a gray area in the publishing world, with more self-help focused memoirs requiring a proposal, and more creative memoirs acting more like a novel, where the writer would finish them first.

Which publishing path is right for you? Here are the two main requirements for traditional publishing for nonfiction books:

Platform . Do you have authority within this topic? Do you have a following, via social media, speaking, podcast, YouTube, an email list, or some other platform of at least 10,000 people?
A tested idea with mass market appeal . Does your idea line up with your platform? Does it have mass market appeal?

If you can't answer “yes” to both of these questions, then you might consider self-publishing, working with a small press, or hybrid press after you complete your book. Or taking a break from your book to build your platform and target audience, perhaps by building an author website and starting a blog. (For more on this, check out this guide on how to build a platform via a blog .)

You might be wondering, at this point too, how do you write a book proposal?

Book proposals vary across writers and publishers, but here are some of the major components:

1-Sentence Premise (see above)
2-4 paragraph synopsis
Outline (Table of Contents)
Tone and Writing Style
Platform Description and Marketing Info
2-3 Sample Chapters

For more on this, check out Jane Friedman's excellent guide on how to write a book proposal .

Now, once you've chosen your publishing path and you're ready to begin writing a whole book, how do you actually finish it? The next steps will all but guarantee you reach The End of your book.

4. Outline Your Book

Even you if you don't decide to traditionally publish, I still recommend working through most of the elements of a book proposal listed above, especially the book outline because it will make the writing process so much easier.

Your book's outline will vary widely depending on your genre, your writing style, your book's topic, and your method.

However, there are some tried and true structures that exist in nonfiction books. Here are some suggested structures you can use:

Introduction . Most nonfiction books include a short (2,000 to 3,000 words) introduction. They usually outline the main problem you will be focusing on in the book. They may also introduce you as the author and your authority, and outline the unique solution you will be guiding readers through in your book.

8-10 Chapters . Nonfiction book chapters dive deeper into the problem and give principles or steps to solve that problem. Chapters can have a variety of different structures, but here is my personal favorite, used frequently by Malcolm Gladwell:

Opening story
Analysis of the story
Universal principle
Closing story (may be the conclusion of the opening story)

Conclusion . Conclusions usually restate the problem and show how you solved that problem, often ending with a concluding story and a call to action to encourage the reader to go out and put the ideas you've shared to use.

Easy right? Not exactly, but creating this outline will make the rest of the writing process so much easier. Even if it changes, you'll have a resource to help you get unstuck when the writing gets hard.

If you want a template for your outline, as well as a step-by-step guide through the book writing process, get a copy of our Write Plan Planner . This is the exact process that I have used to write fifteen books, and that thousands of other authors in our community have used to finish their book all in a beautiful, daily planner . Check out the planner here.

5. Set a Deadline

This one might surprise you. Because most people think that once you've got your idea ready to go, you should just start writing and not worry about the period of time it takes.

Nope. Not even close.

The next step is to set a deadline for when you're going to finish the first rough draft of your book. But you might be wondering, how long does it take to write a book in the first place?

How long should you set your deadline for?

Some people use NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, to set their deadline for them, writing 50,000 words of book in the thirty days of November. That being said, it's very challenging for most people to finish a book in thirty days.

Stephen King, on the other hand, said the first draft of a book should take no more than a season, so three months. With all due respect to Stephen King, I think that's a little fast for most people.

We give people 100 days , which seems to be just long enough to write a first draft without getting distracted by everything else the world wants you to focus on (looking at you, social media).

So for you, give yourself a week or two to prepare, then set your deadline for about 100 days after that.

There you go! You now have a deadline to finish your book!

6. Break Your Deadline Into Weekly and Daily Word Counts

You can't pull an all-nighter and finish writing a book. Trust me, I've tried!

Instead, you have to break up your deadline into smaller, weekly, and daily deadlines so you can make measured progress over your writing period. This step breaks the work into manageable pieces.

This step also requires a bit of math. Here's how to do it so you can actually stay on track:

Figure out your book's ideal target word count goal (check out our word count guide )
Figure out how many weeks until your deadline (e.g. 100 days = 14.5 weeks)
Divide your book's total word count by the number of weeks (e.g. 45,000 ÷ 14.5 = 3,103 words per week)
Next, figure out how many days per week you're going to write (e.g. 5 days a week)
Finally, divide your weekly word count goal by the number of days you'll write to get your daily word count goal (e.g. 3,103 ÷ 5. = 621 words per day)

If you can hit all of your weekly and daily deadlines, you know you’ll make your final deadline at the end.

P.S. You're much more likely to actually meet your deadlines if you take a stand and set a consequence, which I”ll talk about next.

7. Take a Stand

Deadlines are nice, but it can be too easy to follow Douglas Adams' advice:

I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by.

There are two tricks that will help you actually meet your deadline, and it's essential to do these before you start writing or you'll never finish your book.

The first one is a little scary, but will make a huge difference.

Once you've set your deadline, go tell everyone you know. Post your deadline on social media, saying something like this:

Here. We'll even make it easy for you. Just click the share button below to tweet this and fill in the blank with your deadline:

Don't have social media? That's okay. Just email five friends. These friends will become your accountability partners to ensure you finish your book.

Important: I don't recommend talking about your book idea. Talking about the idea can actually remove some of the motivation to actually work on your book.

But I highly recommend talking about your book's deadline because humans naturally avoid letting each other down. When you make a public promise to do something, you're much more likely to do it!

So go ahead. Share your deadline. You can do this right now. Don't worry, we'll be here when you get back.

Then, move on to the next trick to keep your deadline.

8. Set a Consequence

You might think, “Setting a deadline is fine, but how do I actually hit my deadline?”

The answer is you need to create a consequence. A consequence is a bad thing that happens if you don't hit your deadline.

Maybe you write a check to a charity you hate, like the society for the euthanasia of puppies, you give it to a friend, and you say, “You have to send this check if I don't hit my deadline.”

Or maybe you say you're going to give up a guilty pleasure if you don't hit your deadline, like ice cream or wine or TV or your favorite phone game.

Set a really tough consequence for your final deadline, and then set a couple of less severe consequences for your weekly deadlines.

Whatever you choose, make it really hard to not hit your deadline.

Why? Because writing is hard! If you want to write a book, you need to make not writing harder than writing.

By creating a consequence, you make not writing harder than the actual writing, and this simple trick will make you much more likely to finish.

9. Set an Intention

This is the last step before you start writing, but secretly one of the most helpful.

Set an intention.

Studies have shown that when you have a goal, like working out more or writing a book, and you imagine where , when , and how much you're going to do something, you're much more likely to actually do it.

So do this with me:

Close your eyes, and imagine your ideal writing space , the place you're going to spend your writing time. Maybe it's a coffee shop or your home office or a chair beside your favorite window.
Next, imagine what time it is . Is it the morning? Afternoon? Late at night after everyone's gone to bed?
Finally, picture yourself writing, and watch yourself reach your daily word count goal . Imagine how it feels to accomplish your goal. Great? A relief?
Then, write all of that down, locking your intention in place . Now that you have a set writing schedule, follow it!

Notice that this is the tenth step.

Most people start here, but without the groundwork you've laid in the previous nine steps, you're setting yourself up for failure.

Don't skip the first nine steps!

Once you do begin writing, keep this in mind:

First drafts are universally bad .

Don't try to write perfect sentences. Don't go back and edit endlessly.

No, instead write as fast as you're able. Get to “the end” as quickly as you can. Use writing sprints .

Try to write as imperfectly as you can, not because you want to write a bad book, but because this is how writing always is: you write a bad first draft and then revise it into a better second draft—and finally, three or five drafts later, you've written a good book.

The difference between aspiring writers and published authors is that published authors know you can't do good writing until you write a bad draft first. Get through it as quickly as you can!

If you're not a natural writer , consider dictating your book into a recorder, and transcribing it afterward. There's no reason you have to physically type out your book. Transcribing it is a perfectly viable way to create a good first draft.

11. Revise, Rewrite, and Edit

After you finish your first draft comes the real hard part.

I know what you're thinking. The first ten steps weren't hard enough?

Yes, of course they were hard. But for some reason, second drafts can be just as hard, if not harder, than first drafts. I've had some of my biggest mental and emotional breakdowns in my life while working on the second draft of a book. There's just something about second drafts that are much more mentally challenging than first drafts.

Here, it's a good idea to get an editor who can give you feedback. (Need an editor recommendation? We have a team of editors we work with here at The Write Practice. Check out our process and get a quote here .)

Once you've finished your second draft, I also recommend getting beta readers, people who can read your book and give you feedback. For more on this, check out our guide on how to find beta readers and use their feedback effectively here .

Depending on your topic, you might also consider recruiting some sensitivity readers to read your book, too.

After you've done all of this, I have one last writing tip for you to ensure you actually finish writing your book—and it might be the most important of all.

12. Don't Stop

Most people want to write a book. I hear from people all the time that think they have a book in them, who believe that they have a story that needs to be shared.

I very rarely talk to people who have finished a book.

Writing a book is hard.

It's SO easy to quit. You get a new idea. Or you read your writing and think, “This is terrible.” Or you decide, “I'd rather be catching up on Netflix, not spending my nights writing.”

Because of this, you quit.

Here's the thing though: the only way to fail at writing a book is to quit .

If you don't quit, if you just keep writing, keep following this process we've outlined above, you will finish a book.

It might not be a good book (yet). But that's what editing is for.

It will be a first draft, and a finished draft at that . You can't write a second draft and start to make your book actually good, actually publishable, until you write the first draft.

So write. Don't stop. Don't quit. If you follow these steps and don't stop, you'll finish.

We'll be here supporting you along the way.

More Resources on How to Write a Book

Still feeling stuck? Have more questions about how to write a book? We've put together a library of book-writing resources. Take a look at the articles below.

Book Writing Tools and Programs

100 Day Book . Get a mentor, 100+ writing lessons, deadlines, and accountability and write your book in a program that works. Thousands of authors have finished their books in 100 Day Book, and we'd love to help you too. Click to sign up for 100 Day Book here.
The Write Plan Planner. Containing everything we've learned about how to write a book over the last 10+ years, this step-by-step guide will walk you through our proven book writing process. Click to get your daily book writing planner.
Best Book Writing Software . A variety of the best tools for writing, publishing, formatting, and marketing your book.

How to Write a Book Fast Articles

I shared above why I believe that first drafts should be written quickly, in just a few weeks. Still not sure? In the articles below, dozens of other writers share how they wrote fast first drafts, plus you'll get all the tips and strategies they learned along the way.

How to Write a Book in 100 Days: 10 Steps
How to Write a Book FAST
How to Write a Book in 100 Days
How to Write a Novel in 6 Months
The First 10 Steps to Write Your Book in 2020
How to Right a Book in Nine (Not So) Easy Steps
How to Finish a Novel With a Swim Buddy
How to Write a Book Using Microsoft Word

How to Write a Book by Genre

Every genre comes with specific expectations that must be fulfilled. Here's how to craft an amazing story in your genre.

How to Write a Novel
How to Write a Memoir
How to Write a Mystery Novel
How to Write a Suspense Novel
How to Write a Thriller Novel
How to Write a Romance Novel
How to Write an Adventure Book
How to Write a Coming of Age Novel
How to Write a Young Adult Novel
How to Write a Self-Help Book
How to Write a Book That's Based on a True Story
How to Write a Book Like Stephen King
20 Sci-Fi Creative Writing Prompts and Story Ideas

Okay, no, Stephen King isn't a genre. But he's well worth learning from!

How to Write a Book When Writing Is Hard

Let's face it: writing is hard . Every single writer struggles at some point in their book. The important thing is not to quit . In the following articles, writers share how they persevered through the hard parts, and how you can too.

How to Write a Book While Working Full Time
How to Write a Book When You Don't Have Ideas
How to Write a Book When You’ve Got Writer’s Block
I Never Thought I Would Write a Book. Here's How I Did It Anyway
How to Write a Book: The Everest Method
10 Obstacles to Writing a Book and How to Conquer Them

How to Write a Book With a Specific Style

Your book comes with its own unique quirks and challenges, especially if the story you're telling is a series, or is told from multiple perspectives. Here's how other writers have navigated these choices.

How to Write a Book from Multiple Perspectives
How to Write a Book Series Without Messing Things Up
How to Write a Novel That Readers Can't Put Down

How to Write a Book and Publish It

Writing is meant to be shared! In these articles, writers break down the publishing process so you can finish your book and share it with the world.

How to Write and Publish a Book for Free
How to Write a Book Description That Will Captivate Readers (And Sell Books!)

Publishing Resources

Once you've finished writing a book, how do you get it published. Here are some resources to help.

Amazon KDP. Self-publish your book on Kindle to the world's biggest book marketplace.
Book Cover Design . Find a book cover designer among our favorite designers.

Commit to the Book Writing Process, Not Your Feelings

Are you ready to commit to finishing your book?

I don't want you to commit to a book idea. Ideas are seductive, but then you get a fresh idea and the idea you've been working on becomes much less interesting.

You probably have had inspiring moments of writing, when everything feels like it's flowing. But I don't want you to commit to a feeling. Feelings are fickle. They change by the hour.

No, instead commit to the process.

If you follow these steps, you will finish a book. It won't be easy. It will still be a challenge. But you'll do it.

Can you imagine how great it will feel to write “The End” on your own book? Think about the people you will touch because you finished that book. Let's get to it together.

Are you going to commit to writing a book? Let me know in the comments !

The first part of Step Three is to create a 1-sentence premise of your book.

Spend fifteen minutes today to rewrite your book idea into a single-sentence premise. Then, share your premise in the Pro Practice Workshop here. (and if you’re not a member yet, you can join here ).

Finally, after you share, make sure to give feedback to three other writers.

Happy writing!

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

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Work with Joe Bunting?

WSJ Bestselling author, founder of The Write Practice, and book coach with 14+ years experience. Joe Bunting specializes in working with Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, How To, Literary Fiction, Memoir, Mystery, Nonfiction, Science Fiction, and Self Help books. Sound like a good fit for you?

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How to Write a Book From Start to Finish: A Proven Guide

So you want to write a book. Becoming an author can change your life—not to mention give you the ability to impact thousands, even millions, of people.

But writing a book isn’t easy. As a 21-time New York Times bestselling author, I can tell you: It’s far easier to quit than to finish.

You’re going to be tempted to give up writing your book when you run out of ideas, when your own message bores you, when you get distracted, or when you become overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the task.

But what if you knew exactly:

Where to start…
What each step entails…
How to overcome fear, procrastination, a nd writer’s block…
And how to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

You can write a book—and more quickly than you might think, because these days you have access to more writing tools than ever.

The key is to follow a proven, straightforward, step-by-step plan .

My goal here is to offer you that book-writing plan.

I’ve used the techniques I outline below to write more than 200 books (including the Left Behind series) over the past 50 years. Yes, I realize writing over four books per year on average is more than you may have thought humanly possible.

But trust me—with a reliable blueprint, you can get unstuck and finally write your book .

This is my personal approach on how to write a book. I’m confident you’ll find something here that can change the game for you. So, let’s jump in.

How to Write a Book From Start to Finish

Part 1: Before You Begin Writing Your Book

Establish your writing space.
Assemble your writing tools.

Part 2: How to Start Writing a Book

Break the project into small pieces.
Settle on your BIG idea.
Construct your outline.
Set a firm writing schedule.
Establish a sacred deadline.
Embrace procrastination (really!).
Eliminate distractions.
Conduct your research.
Start calling yourself a writer.

Part 3: The Book-Writing Itself

Think reader-first.
Find your writing voice.
Write a compelling opener.
Fill your story with conflict and tension.
Turn off your internal editor while writing the first draft.
Persevere through The Marathon of the Middle.
Write a resounding ending.

Part 4: Editing Your Book

Become a ferocious self-editor.
Find a mentor.
Part 5: Publishing Your Book
Decide on your publishing avenue.
Properly format your manuscript.
Set up and grow your author platform.
Pursue a Literary Agent
Writing Your Query Letter
Part One: Before You Begin Writing Your Book

You’ll never regret—in fact, you’ll thank yourself later—for investing the time necessary to prepare for such a monumental task.

You wouldn’t set out to cut down a huge grove of trees with just an axe. You’d need a chain saw, perhaps more than one. Something to keep them sharp. Enough fuel to keep them running.

You get the picture. Don’t shortcut this foundational part of the process.

Step 1. Establish your writing space.

To write your book, you don’t need a sanctuary. In fact, I started my career o n my couch facing a typewriter perched on a plank of wood suspended by two kitchen chairs.

What were you saying about your setup again? We do what we have to do.

And those early days on that sagging couch were among the most productive of my career.

Naturally, the nicer and more comfortable and private you can make your writing lair (I call mine my cave), the better.

Real writers can write anywhere .

Some authors write their books in restaurants and coffee shops. My first full time job was at a newspaper where 40 of us clacked away on manual typewriters in one big room—no cubicles, no partitions, conversations hollered over the din, most of my colleagues smoking, teletype machines clattering.

Cut your writing teeth in an environment like that, and anywhere else seems glorious.

Step 2. Assemble your writing tools.

In the newspaper business, there was no time to hand write our stuff and then type it for the layout guys. So I have always written at a keyboard and still write my books that way.

Most authors do, though some hand write their first drafts and then keyboard them onto a computer or pay someone to do that.

No publisher I know would even consider a typewritten manuscript, let alone one submitted in handwriting.

The publishing industry runs on Microsoft Word, so you’ll need to submit Word document files. Whether you prefer a Mac or a PC, both will produce the kinds of files you need.

And if you’re looking for a musclebound electronic organizing system, you can’t do better than Scrivener . It works well on both PCs and Macs, and it nicely interacts with Word files.

Just remember, Scrivener has a steep learning curve, so familiarize yourself with it before you start writing.

Scrivener users know that taking the time to learn the basics is well worth it.

Tons of other book-writing tools exist to help you. I’ve included some of the most well-known in my blog po st on here (for software) and here (for writing tools) fo r your reference.

So, what else do you need?

If you are one who handwrites your first drafts, don’t scrimp on paper, pencils, or erasers.

Don’t shortchange yourself on a computer either. Even if someone else is keyboarding for you, you’ll need a computer for research and for communicating with potential agents, edi tors, publishers.

Get the best computer you can afford, the latest, the one with the most capacity and speed.

Try to imagine everything you’re going to need in addition to your desk or table, so you can equip yourself in advance and don’t have to keep interrupting your work to find things like:

Paper clips
Pencil holders
Pencil sharpeners
Printing paper
Paperweight
Tape dispensers
Cork or bulletin boards
Reference works
Space heaters
Beverage mugs
You name it
Last, but most crucial, get the best, most ergonomic chair you can afford.

If I were to start my career again with that typewriter on a plank, I would not sit on that couch. I’d grab another straight-backed kitchen chair or something similar and be proactive about my posture and maintaining a healthy spine.

There’s nothing worse than trying to be creative and immerse yourself in writing while you’re in agony . The chair I work in today cost more than my first car!

If you’ve never used some of the items I listed above and can’t imagine needing them, fine. But make a list of everything you know you’ll need so when the actual writing begins, you’re already equipped.

As you grow as a writer and actually start making money at it, you can keep upgrading your writing space.

Where I work now is light years from where I started. But the point is, I didn’t wait to start writing until I could have a great spot in which to do it.

Part Two: How to Start Writing a Book

Step 1. Break your book into small pieces.

Writing a book feels like a colossal project, because it is! Bu t your manuscript w ill be made up of many small parts .

An old adage says that the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time .

Try to get your mind off your book as a 400-or-so-page monstrosity.

It can’t be written all at once any more than that proverbial elephant could be eaten in a single sitting.

See your book for what it is: a manuscript made up of sentences, paragraphs, pages. Those pages will begin to add up, and though after a week you may have barely accumulated double digits, a few months down the road you’ll be into your second hundred pages.

So keep it simple.

Start by distilling you r big book idea from a page or so to a single sentence— your premise . The more specific that one-sentence premise, the more it will keep you focused while you’re writing.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Before you can turn your big idea into one sentence, which can then b e expanded to an outline, you have to settle on exactly what that big idea is.

Step 2. Settle on your BIG idea.

To be book-worthy, your idea has to be killer.

You need to write something about which you’re passionate , something that gets you up in the morning, draws you to the keyboard, and keeps you there. It should excite not only you, but also anyone you tell about it.

I can’t overstate the importance of this.

If you’ve tried and failed to finish your book before—maybe more than once—it could be that the basic premise was flawed. Maybe it was worth a blog post or an article but couldn’t carry an entire book.

Think The Hunger Games , Harry Potter , or How to Win Friends and Influence People . The market is crowded, the competition fierce. There’s no more room for run-of-the-mill ideas. Your premise alone should make readers salivate.

Go for the big concept book.

How do you know you’ve got a winner? Does it have legs? In other words, does it stay in your mind, growing and developing every time you think of it?

Run it past loved ones and others you trust.

Does it raise eyebrows? Elicit Wows? Or does it result in awkward silences?

The right concept simply works, and you’ll know it when you land on it. Most importantly, your idea must capture you in such a way that you’re compelled to write it . Otherwise you will lose interest halfway through and never finish.

Step 3. Construct your outline.

Writing your book without a clear vision of where you’re going usually ends in disaster.

Even if you ’re writing a fiction book an d consider yourself a Pantser* as opposed to an Outliner , you need at least a basic structure.

[*Those of us who write by the seat of our pants and, as Stephen King advises, pu t interesting characters i n difficult situations and write to find out what happens]

You don’t have to call it an outline if that offends your sensibilities. But fashion some sort of a directional document that provides structure for your book and also serves as a safety net.

If you get out on that Pantser highwire and lose your balance, you’ll thank me for advising you to have this in place.

Now if you’re writing a nonfiction book, there’s no substitute for an outline .

Potential agents or publishers require this in your proposal. T hey want to know where you’re going, and they want to know that you know. What do you want your reader to learn from your book, and how will you ensure they learn it?

Fiction or nonfiction, if you commonly lose interest in your book somewhere in what I call the Marathon of the Middle, you likely didn’t start with enough exciting ideas .

That’s why and outline (or a basic framework) is essential. Don’t even start writing until you’re confident your structure will hold up through the end.

You may recognize this novel structure illustration.

Did you know it holds up—with only slight adaptations—for nonfiction books too ? It’s self-explanatory for novelists; they list their plot twists and developments and arrange them in an order that best serves to increase tension .

What separates great nonfiction from mediocre? The same structure!

Arrange your points and evidence in the same way so you’re setting your reader up for a huge payoff, and then make sure you deliver.

If your nonfiction book is a memoir ( more scene based ), an autobiography ( more fact-based ), or a biography, structure it like a novel and you can’t go wrong.

But even if it’s a straightforward how-to book, stay as close to this structure as possible, and you’ll see your manuscript come alive.

Make promises early, triggering your reader to anticipate fresh ideas, secrets, inside information, something major that will make him thrilled with the finished product.

While a nonfiction book may not have as much action or dialogue or character development as a novel, you can inject tension by showing where people have failed before and how your reader can succeed.

You can even make the how-to project look impossible until you pay off that setup with your unique solution.

Keep your outline to a single page for now. But make sure every major point is represented, so you’ll always know where you’re going.

And don’t worry if you’ve forgotten the basics of classic outlining or have never felt comfortable with the concept.

Your outline must serve you. If that means Roman numerals and capital and lowercase letters and then Arabic numerals, you can certainly fashion it that way. But if you just want a list of sentences that synopsize your idea, that’s fine too.

Simply start with your working title, then your premise, then—for fiction, list all the major scenes that fit into the rough structure above.

For nonfiction, try to come up with chapter titles and a sentence or two of what each chapter will cover.

Once you have your one-page outline, remember it is a fluid document meant to serve you and your book. Expand it, change it, play with it as you see fit—even during the writing process .

Step 4. Set a firm writing schedule.

Ideally, you want to schedule at least six hours per week to write your book.

That may consist of three sessions of two hours each, two sessions of three hours, or six one-hour sessions—whatever works for you.

I recommend a regular pattern (same times, same days) that can most easily become a habit. But if that’s impossible, just make sure you carve out at least six hours so you can see real progress.

Having trouble finding the time to write a book? News flash—you won’t find the time. You have to make it.

I used the phrase carve out above for a reason. That’s what it takes.

Something in your calendar will likely have to be sacrificed in the interest of writing time .

Make sure it’s not your family—they should always be your top priority. Never sacrifice your family on the altar of your writing career.

But beyond that, the truth is that we all find time for what we really want to do.

Many writers insist they have no time to write, but they always seem to catch the latest Netflix original series, or go to the next big Hollywood feature. They enjoy concerts, parties, ball games, whatever.

How important is it to you to finally write your book? What will you cut from your calendar each week to ensure you give it the time it deserves?

A favorite TV show?
An hour of sleep per night? (Be careful with this one; rest is crucial to a writer.)

Successful writers make time to write.

When writing becomes a habit, you’ll be on your way.

Step 5. Establish a sacred deadline.

Without deadlines, I rarely get anything done. I need that motivation.

Admittedly, my deadlines are now established in my contracts from publishers.

If you’re writing your first book, you probably don’t have a contract yet. To ensure you finish your book, set your own deadline—then consider it sacred .

Tell your spouse or loved one or trusted friend. Ask that they hold you accountable.

Now determine—and enter in your calendar—the number of pages you need to produce per writing session to meet your deadline. If it proves unrealistic, change the deadline now.

If you have no idea how many pages or words you typically produce per session, you may have to experiment before you finalize those figures.

Say you want to finish a 400-page manuscript by this time next year.

Divide 400 by 50 weeks (accounting for two off-weeks), and you get eight pages per week.

Divide that by your typical number of writing sessions per week and you’ll know how many pages you should finish per session.

Now is the time to adjust these numbers, while setting your deadline and determining your pages per session.

Maybe you’d rather schedule four off weeks over the next year. Or you know your book will be unusually long.

Change the numbers to make it realistic and doable, and then lock it in. Remember, your deadline is sacred.

Step 6. Embrace procrastination (really!).

You read that right. Don’t fight it; embrace it.

You wouldn’t guess it from my 200+ published books, but I’m the king of procrastinators .

Don’t be. So many authors are procrastinators that I’ve come to wonder if it’s a prerequisite.

The secret is to accept it and, in fact, schedule it.

I quit fretting and losing sleep over procrastinating when I realized it was inevitable and predictable, and also that it was productive.

Sound like rationalization?

Maybe it was at first. But I learned that while I’m putting off the writing, my subconscious is working on my book. It’s a part of the process. When you do start writing again, you’ll enjoy the surprises your subconscious reveals to you.

So, knowing procrastination is coming, book it on your calendar .

Take it into account when you’re determining your page quotas. If you have to go back in and increase the number of pages you need to produce per session, do that (I still do it all the time).

But—and here’s the key—you must never let things get to where that number of pages per day exceeds your capacity.

It’s one thing to ratchet up your output from two pages per session to three. But if you let it get out of hand, you’ve violated the sacredness of your deadline.

How can I procrastinate and still meet more than 190 deadlines?

Because I keep the deadlines sacred.

Step 7. Eliminate distractions to stay focused.

Are you as easily distracted as I am?

Have you found yourself writing a sentence and then checking your email? Writing another and checking Facebook? Getting caught up in the pictures of 10 Sea Monsters You Wouldn’t Believe Actually Exist?

Then you just have to check out that precious video from a talk show where the dad surprises the family by returning from the war.

That leads to more and more of the same. Once I’m in, my writing is forgotten, and all of a sudden the day has gotten away from me.

The answer to these insidious timewasters?

Look into these apps that allow you to block your email, social media, browsers, game apps, whatever you wish during the hours you want to write. Some carry a modest fee, others are free.

Freedom app
FocusWriter

Step 8. Conduct your research.

Yes, research is a vital part of the process , whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction.

Fiction means more than just making up a story.

Your details and logic and technical and historical details must be right for your novel to be believable.

And for nonfiction, even if you’re writing about a subject in which you’re an expert—as I’m doing here—getting all the facts right will polish your finished product.

In fact, you’d be surprised at how many times I’ve researched a fact or two while writing this blog post alone.

The last thing you want is even a small mistake due to your lack of proper research.

Regardless the detail, trust me, you’ll hear from readers about it.

Your credibility as an author and an expert hinges on creating trust with your reader . That dissolves in a hurry if you commit an error.

My favorite research resources:

World Almanacs : These alone list almost everything you need for accurate prose: facts, data, government information, and more. For my novels, I often use these to come up with ethnically accurate character names.
The Merriam-Webster Thesaurus : The online version is great, because it’s lightning fast. You couldn’t turn the pages of a hard copy as quickly as you can get where you want to onscreen. One caution: Never let it be obvious you’ve consulted a thesaurus. You’re not looking for the exotic word that jumps off the page. You’re looking for that common word that’s on the tip of your tongue.
WorldAtlas.com : Here you’ll find nearly limitless information about any continent, country, region, city, town, or village. Names, monetary units, weather patterns, tourism info, and even facts you wouldn’t have thought to search for. I get ideas when I’m digging here, for both my novels and my nonfiction books.

Step 9. Start calling yourself a writer.

Your inner voice may tell you, “You’re no writer and you never will be. Who do you think you are, trying to write a book?”

That may be why you’ve stalled at writing your book in the past .

But if you’re working at writing, studying writing, practicing writing, that makes you a writer. Don’t wait till you reach some artificial level of accomplishment before calling yourself a writer.

A cop in uniform and on duty is a cop whether he’s actively enforced the law yet or not. A carpenter is a carpenter whether he’s ever built a house.

Self-identify as a writer now and you’ll silence that inner critic —who, of course, is really you.

Talk back to yourself if you must. It may sound silly, but acknowledging yourself as a writer can give you the confidence to keep going and finish your book.

Are you a writer? Say so.

Part Three: The Book-Writing Itself

Step 1. Think reader-first.

This is so important that that you should write it on a sticky note and affix it to your monitor so you’re reminded of it every time you write.

Every decision you make about your manuscript must be run through this filter.

Not you-first, not book-first, not editor-, agent-, or publisher-first. Certainly not your inner circle- or critics-first.

Reader-first, last, and always .

If every decision is based on the idea of reader-first, all those others benefit anyway.

When fans tell me they were moved by one of my books, I think back to this adage and am grateful I maintained that posture during the writing.

Does a scene bore you? If you’re thinking reader-first, it gets overhauled or deleted.

Where to go, what to say, what to write next? Decide based on the reader as your priority.

Whatever your gut tells you your reader would prefer, that’s your answer.

Whatever will intrigue him, move him, keep him reading, those are your marching orders.

So, naturally, you need to know your reader. Rough age? General interests? Loves? Hates? Attention span?

When in doubt, look in the mirror .

The surest way to please your reader is to please yourself. Write what you would want to read and trust there is a broad readership out there that agrees.

Step 2. Find your writing voice.

Discovering your voice is nowhere near as complicated as some make it out to be.

You can find yours by answering these quick questions :

What’s the coolest thing that ever happened to you?
Who’s the most important person you told about it?
What did you sound like when you did?
That’s your writing voice. It should read the way you sound at your most engaged.

That’s all there is to it.

If you write fiction and the narrator of your book isn’t you, go through the three-question exercise on the narrator’s behalf—and you’ll quickly master the voice.

Here’s a blog I posted that’ll walk you through the process .

Step 3. Write a compelling opener.

If you’re stuck because of the pressure of crafting the perfect opening line for your book, you’re not alone.

And neither is your angst misplaced.

This is not something you should put off and come back to once you’ve started on the rest of the first chapter.

Oh, it can still change if the story dictates that. But settling on a good one will really get you off and running.

It’s unlikely you’ll write a more important sentence than your first one , whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction. Make sure you’re thrilled with it and then watch how your confidence—and momentum—soars.

Most great first lines fall into one of these categories:

1. Surprising

Fiction : “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” —George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

Nonfiction : “By the time Eustace Conway was seven years old, he could throw a knife accurately enough to nail a chipmunk to a tree.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, The Last American Man

2. Dramatic Statement

Fiction : “They shoot the white girl first.” —Toni Morrison, Paradise

Nonfiction : “I was five years old the first time I ever set foot in prison.” —Jimmy Santiago Baca, A Place to Stand

3. Philosophical

Fiction : “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” —Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Nonfiction : “It’s not about you.” —Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Fiction : “When I finally caught up with Abraham Trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named Fireball Roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of Sonoma, California, drinking the heart right out of a fine spring afternoon. —James Crumley, The Last Good Kiss

Nonfiction : “The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call ‘out there.’” —Truman Capote, In Cold Blood

Great opening lines from other classics may give you ideas for yours. Here’s a list of famous openers .

Step 4. Fill your story with conflict and tension.

Your reader craves conflict, and yes, this applies to nonfiction readers as well.

In a novel, if everything is going well and everyone is agreeing, your reader will soon lose interest and find something else to do.

Are two of your characters talking at the dinner table? Have one say something that makes the other storm out.

Some deep-seeded rift in their relationship has surfaced—just a misunderstanding, or an injustice?

Thrust people into conflict with each other .

That’ll keep your reader’s attention.

Certain nonfiction genres won’t lend themselves to that kind of conflict, of course, but you can still inject tension by setting up your reader for a payoff in later chapters. Check out some of the current bestselling nonfiction works to see how writers accomplish this.

Somehow they keep you turning those pages, even in a simple how-to title.

Tension is the secret sauce that will propel your reader through to the end .

And sometimes that’s as simple as implying something to come.

Step 5. Turn off your internal editor while writing the first draft.

Many of us perfectionists find it hard to write a first draft—fiction or nonfiction—without feeling compelled to make every sentence exactly the way we want it.

That voice in your head that questions every word, every phrase, every sentence, and makes you worry you’re being redundant or have allowed cliches to creep in—well, that’s just your editor alter ego.

He or she needs to be told to shut up .

This is not easy.

Deep as I am into a long career, I still have to remind myself of this every writing day. I cannot be both creator and editor at the same time. That slows me to a crawl, and my first draft of even one brief chapter could take days.

Our job when writing that first draft is to get down the story or the message or the teaching—depending on your genre.

It helps me to view that rough draft as a slab of meat I will carve tomorrow .

I can’t both produce that hunk and trim it at the same time.

A cliche, a redundancy, a hackneyed phrase comes tumbling out of my keyboard, and I start wondering whether I’ve forgotten to engage the reader’s senses or aimed for his emotions.

That’s when I have to chastise myself and say, “No! Don’t worry about that now! First thing tomorrow you get to tear this thing up and put it back together again to your heart’s content!”

Imagine yourself wearing different hats for different tasks , if that helps—whatever works to keep you rolling on that rough draft. You don’t need to show it to your worst enemy or even your dearest love. This chore is about creating. Don’t let anything slow you down.

Some like to write their entire first draft before attacking the revision. As I say, whatever works.

Doing it that way would make me worry I’ve missed something major early that will cause a complete rewrite when I discover it months later. I alternate creating and revising.

The first thing I do every morning is a heavy edit and rewrite of whatever I wrote the day before. If that’s ten pages, so be it. I put my perfectionist hat on and grab my paring knife and trim that slab of meat until I’m happy with every word.

Then I switch hats, tell Perfectionist Me to take the rest of the day off, and I start producing rough pages again.

So, for me, when I’ve finished the entire first draft, it’s actually a second draft because I have already revised and polished it in chunks every day.

THEN I go back through the entire manuscript one more time, scouring it for anything I missed or omitted, being sure to engage the reader’s senses and heart, and making sure the whole thing holds together.

I do not submit anything I’m not entirely thrilled with .

I know there’s still an editing process it will go through at the publisher, but my goal is to make my manuscript the absolute best I can before they see it.

Compartmentalize your writing vs. your revising and you’ll find that frees you to create much more quickly.

Step 6. Persevere through The Marathon of the Middle.

Most who fail at writing a book tell me they give up somewhere in what I like to call The Marathon of the Middle.

That’s a particularly rough stretch for novelists who have a great concept, a stunning opener, and they can’t wait to get to the dramatic ending. But they bail when they realize they don’t have enough cool stuff to fill the middle.

They start padding, trying to add scenes just for the sake of bulk, but they’re soon bored and know readers will be too.

This actually happens to nonfiction writers too.

The solution there is in the outlining stage , being sure your middle points and chapters are every bit as valuable and magnetic as the first and last.

If you strategize the progression of your points or steps in a process—depending on nonfiction genre—you should be able to eliminate the strain in the middle chapters.

For novelists, know that every book becomes a challenge a few chapters in. The shine wears off, keeping the pace and tension gets harder, and it’s easy to run out of steam.

But that’s not the time to quit. Force yourself back to your structure, come up with a subplot if necessary, but do whatever you need to so your reader stays engaged.

Fiction writer or nonfiction author, The Marathon of the Middle is when you must remember why you started this journey in the first place.

It isn’t just that you want to be an author. You have something to say. You want to reach the masses with your message.

Yes, it’s hard. It still is for me—every time. But don’t panic or do anything rash, like surrendering. Embrace the challenge of the middle as part of the process. If it were easy, anyone could do it.

Step 7. Write a resounding ending.

This is just as important for your nonfiction book as your novel. It may not be as dramatic or emotional, but it could be—especially if you’re writing a memoir.

But even a how-to or self-help book needs to close with a resounding thud, the way a Broadway theater curtain meets the floor .

How do you ensure your ending doesn’t fizzle?

Don’t rush it . Give readers the payoff they’ve been promised. They’ve invested in you and your book the whole way. Take the time to make it satisfying.
Never settle for close enough just because you’re eager to be finished. Wait till you’re thrilled with every word, and keep revising until you are.
If it’s unpredictable, it had better be fair and logical so your reader doesn’t feel cheated. You want him to be delighted with the surprise, not tricked.
If you have multiple ideas for how your book should end, go for the heart rather than the head, even in nonfiction. Readers most remember what moves them.
Part Four: Rewriting Your Book

Step 1. Become a ferocious self-editor.

Agents and editors can tell within the first two pages whether your manuscript is worthy of consideration. That sounds unfair, and maybe it is. But it’s also reality, so we writers need to face it.

How can they often decide that quickly on something you’ve devoted months, maybe years, to?

Because they can almost immediately envision how much editing would be required to make those first couple of pages publishable. If they decide the investment wouldn’t make economic sense for a 300-400-page manuscript, end of story.

Your best bet to keep an agent or editor reading your manuscript?

You must become a ferocious self-editor. That means:

Omit needless words
Choose the simple word over one that requires a dictionary
Avoid subtle redundancies , like “He thought in his mind…” (Where else would someone think?)
Avoid hedging verbs like almost frowned, sort of jumped, etc.
Generally remove the word that —use it only when absolutely necessary for clarity
Give the reader credit and resist the urge to explain , as in, “She walked through the open door.” (Did we need to be told it was open?)
Avoid too much stage direction (what every character is doing with every limb and digit)
Avoid excessive adjectives
Show, don’t tell
And many more

For my full list and how to use them, click here . (It’s free.)

When do you know you’re finished revising? When you’ve gone from making your writing better to merely making it different. That’s not always easy to determine, but it’s what makes you an author.

Step 2. Find a mentor.

Get help from someone who’s been where you want to be.

Imagine engaging a mentor who can help you sidestep all the amateur pitfalls and shave years of painful trial-and-error off your learning curve.

Just make sure it’s someone who really knows the writing and publishing world. Many masquerade as mentors and coaches but have never really succeeded themselves.

Look for someone widely-published who knows how to work with agents, editors, and publishers .

There are many helpful mentors online . I teach writers through this free site, as well as in my members-only Writers Guild .

Step 1. Decide on your publishing avenue.

In simple terms, you have two options when it comes to publishing your book:

1. Traditional publishing

Traditional publishers take all the risks. They pay for everything from editing, proofreading, typesetting, printing, binding, cover art and design, promotion, advertising, warehousing, shipping, billing, and paying author royalties.

2. Self-publishing

Everything is on you. You are the publisher, the financier, the decision-maker. Everything listed above falls to you. You decide who does it, you approve or reject it, and you pay for it. The term self-publishing is a bit of a misnomer, however, because what you’re paying for is not publishing, but printing.

Both avenues are great options under certain circumstances.

Not sure which direction you want to take? Click here to read my in-depth guide to publishing a book. It’ll show you the pros and cons of each, what each involves, and my ultimate recommendation.

Step 2: Properly format your manuscript.

Regardless whether you traditionally or self-publish your book, proper formatting is critical.

Because poor formatting makes you look like an amateur .

Readers and agents expect a certain format for book manuscripts, and if you don’t follow their guidelines, you set yourself up for failure.

Best practices when formatting your book:

Use 12-point type
Use a serif font; the most common is Times Roman
Double space your manuscript
No extra space between paragraphs
Only one space between sentences
Indent each paragraph half an inch (setting a tab, not using several spaces)
Text should be flush left and ragged right, not justified
If you choose to add a line between paragraphs to indicate a change of location or passage of time, center a typographical dingbat (like ***) on the line
Black text on a white background only
One-inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides (the default in Word)
Create a header with the title followed by your last name and the page number. The header should appear on each page other than the title page.

If you need help implementing these formatting guidelines, click here to read my in-depth post on formatting your manuscript.

Step 3. Set up your author website and grow your platform.

All serious authors need a website. Period.

Because here’s the reality of publishing today…

You need an audience to succeed.

If you want to traditionally publish, agents and publishers will Google your name to see if you have a website and a following.

If you want to self-publish, you need a fan base.

And your author website serves as a hub for your writing, where agents, publishers, readers, and fans can learn about your work.

Don’t have an author website yet? Click here to read my tutorial on setting this up.

Step 4. Pursue a Literary Agent.

There remain a few traditional publishers (those who pay you and take the entire financial risk of publishing your book rather than the other way around) who accept unsolicited submissions, but I do NOT recommend going that route.

Your submission will likely wind up in what is known in the business as the slush pile. That means some junior staff member will be assigned to get to it when convenient and determine whether to reject it out of hand (which includes the vast majority of the submissions they see) or suggest the publisher’s editorial board consider it.

While I am clearly on record urging you to exhaust all your efforts to traditionally publish before resorting to self-publishing (in other words, paying to be printed), as I say, I do not recommend submitting unsolicited material even to those publishers who say they accept such efforts.

Even I don’t try to navigate the publishing world by myself, despite having been an author, an editor, a publisher, and a writing coach over the last 50 years.

That’s why I have an agent and you need one too.

Many beginning writers naturally wonder why they should share any of their potential income with an agent (traditionally 15%). First, they don’t see any of that income unless you’re getting your 85% at the same time. And second, everyone I know in the business is happy to have someone in their corner, making an agent a real bargain.

I don’t want to have to personally represent myself and my work. I want to stay in my creative lane and let a professional negotiate every clause of the contract and win me the best advance and rights deal possible.

Once under contract, I work directly with the publishing house’s editor and proofreader, but I leave the financial business to my agent.

Ultimately, an agent’s job is to protect your rights and make you money. They profit only when you do.

That said, landing an agent can be as difficult and painstaking as landing a publisher. They know the market, they know the editors, they know what publishers want, and they can advise you how to put your best foot forward.

But how do you know who to trust? Credible, trustworthy agents welcome scrutiny. If you read a book in your genre that you like, check the Acknowledgments page for the agent’s name. If the author thinks enough of that person to mention them glowingly, that’s a great endorsement.

If you’re writing in the inspirational market, peruse agents listed in The Christian Writer’s Market Guide . If you’re writing for the general market, try The Writer’s Market . If you know any published authors, ask about their agents.

The guides that list agents also include what they’re looking for, what they specialize in, and sometimes even what they’re not interested in. Study these to determine potential agents who ply their trade in your genre. Visit their websites for their submission guidelines, and follow these to a T.

They may ask for a query letter, a synopsis, a proposal, or even sample chapters. Be sure not to send more or less than they suggest.

The best, and most logical place to start is by sending them a query letter. Query simply means question, and in essence the question your letter asks is whether you may send them more.

Step 5: Writing Your Query Letter.

It’s time to move from author to salesperson.

Your query letter will determine whether a literary agent asks to see more, sends you a cordial form letter to let you down easy, or simply doesn’t respond.

Sadly, many agents stipulate on their websites that if you hear nothing after a certain number of weeks, you should take that as an indication that they’re not interested. Frankly, to me, this is frustrating to the writer and lazy on the part of the agent. Surely, in this technological age, it should be easy to hit one button and send a note to someone who might otherwise wonder if the query reached the agent at all.

But that’s the reality we deal with.

So, the job of your one-page single-spaced email letter is to win a response—best case scenario: an invitation to send more: a proposal or even the manuscript.

Basically, you’re selling yourself and your work. Write a poor query letter and an agent will assume your book is also poorly written.

Without being gimmicky or cute, your letter must intrigue an agent.

Your query letter should:

Be addressed to a specific person (not to the staff of the agency or “To Whom It May Concern”)*
Present your book idea simply
Evidence your style
Show you know who your readers are
Clarify your qualifications
Exhibit flexibility and professionalism

*If you see a list of agents in a firm, choose one from the middle or bottom of the list. It could be that they get less personal mail than the person whose name is on the door. Who knows? That you single them out may make them see your query in a more favorable light.

For some great advice on writing a query letter, check this out: https://janefriedman.com/query-letters/

You Have What It Takes to Write a Book

Writing a book is a herculean task, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

You can do this .

Take it one step at a time and vow to stay focused. And who knows, maybe by this time next year you’ll be holding a published copy of your book. :)

I’ve created an exclusive writing guide called How to Maximize Your Writing Time that will help you stay on track and finish writing your book.

Get your FREE copy by clicking the button below.

Faith-Based Words and Phrases

What You and I Can Learn From Patricia Raybon

A Guest Blog from Stephen King—Yes, that Stephen King

Before you go, be sure to grab my FREE guide:

How to Write a Book: Everything You Need to Know in 20 Steps

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Book Marketing for Self-Publishing Authors

Home / Book Writing / How to Write a Book: A Step-by-Step Bestselling Guide for Aspiring Authors

How to Write a Book: A Step-by-Step Bestselling Guide for Aspiring Authors

Embarking on how to write a book can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. This no-fluff guide outlines each critical step to take your book from a lingering idea to a published reality.

From establishing your first draft to the final touches of publication, find clarity and direction, ensuring you’re equipped for every phase of your writing voyage.

Dive in and discover how to turn your narrative vision into a bound manuscript ready for eager readers.

Why am I Qualified to Cover How to Write a Book?
Cultivating the Mindset of a Writer
Crafting Your Ideal Writing Space
Establishing a Consistent Writing Schedule
Step 2: Best Tool for Writing a Book

Mapping Out Key Points for Plot of Education (Fiction & Nonfiction)

Designing Engaging Characters and Settings (Fiction)
Step 4: Penning Your First Draft
Self-Editing Techniques
Seeking Professional Editor Expertise
Crafting a Compelling Book Title
Designing an Eye-Catching Book Cover
Formatting Your Manuscript for Publication
Digital Tools for Writers
How important is it to have a consistent writing schedule?
What should I look for in a writing software?
Can a professional editor really make a difference in the quality of my book?
Is self-publishing or traditional publishing better for a first-time author?
What marketing strategies are essential for a successful book launch?

Before we get into the how, let’s start by asking a good question: What makes me qualified to write this?

For starters, I’ve had the pleasure of writing 11 bestselling books in both nonfiction and fiction. However, from that experience, I created this website, Kindlepreneur – which is one of the worlds largest resources on publishing, and book marketing.

I’ve also been a paid consultant for major publishing companies, and NYT bestselling authors in many different genres and topics. I’m also the creator Publisher Rocket , an award winning tool for self published authors and publishing companies that helps with book marketing and understanding the marketing trend.

Based on this, I’ve been a part of the writing process, publishing, and marketing side of writing a book. This wide swath of experiences is what’s allowed me to writing, and hopefully provide sound guidance as you start your journey.

Step 1: Embarking on Your Writing Journey

The ambition to write a book is profound, offering an opportunity to broadcast your thoughts, tales, and concepts to the world. But before the actual writing begins, you must set the stage for success. Therefore, it is important that you get yourself in the right frame of mind, setting, and establish a consistent schedule so you build a strong habit. Without these three, you will have a higher chance of failing to write your book.

A critical internal shift must precede the physical act of writing, whether by pen on paper or fingers on keyboard. Identify yourself as a writer – your confidence as an author is your compass in the vast sea of words. Don’t think of it as a hobby, or a thing you do. You are an author.

The writing journey begins with self-belief and the willingness to embrace imperfections as part of the learning curve. To begin writing is not only about producing words; it’s about growth, embracing the process, and learning to string together words that will one day become your book.

So, say it with me, “I am an author!”

The environment you choose can significantly affect your productivity, so it’s vital to find a location that fosters focus and minimizes distractions. Whether it’s a quiet corner in your home, a local library, or a bustling coffee shop that somehow fuels your concentration, your writing space should cater to your specific needs.

I personally choose a room in my house where it is hard for my family to disturb, but also put things in it that make it inviting and conducive to writing. So, make sure you look for ways to remove distraction, and help foster the desire to write.

Most authors fail to finish their book because they tell themselves that they will write when they have time or when they feel like it. However, consistency serves as the lifeblood of the writing process.

A consistent writing schedule not only keeps your book at the forefront of your mind but also acts as a safeguard against abandoning the project. Therefore, the best thing an author can do is create a set schedule for them to write.

When I wrote my first book, I set 5am-7:30am every day, Monday through Sunday as my writing time. This way, I never scheduled anything during them, and I never got off task. Now, you don’t have to choose those exact times (many would say I’m a bit too masochistic when they see those times). But the point is, you need to set it in your schedule and make it repetitive. Build the writing habit.

For more information on how to improve your writing settings and thus your writing output, be sure to check the below out:

How to write faster

Before you get started crafting your novel, it’s best to take the time to consider what writing software you will use.

And while you might be thinking that Word is sufficient, just remember that it was made for writing long for like novels and there are tools out there that do so much more.

For book writing, you’re going to need things like plotting and organizing, and finally formatting (turning your written work into printable books or ebooks). There are a couple of writing tools that can do this.

But the best one is Atticus.io – it’s the only all in one writing program that allows you to organize your work, writing, and then format as effectively and beautifully as possible. Plus, soon, it will have the ability for your collaborate with other authors and editors (which is an important step I’ll discuss later). Also, unlike many others, it isn’t a subscription. It’s a one time payment – that way your work is safe and not kept hostage to a monthly fee. So, check that out.

Step 3: Structuring Your Book Idea

Before getting started, it is important that you work to plan and organize your writing. Now, you will find that there are different ways, methods or tactics to doing this. Some are incredibly organized and use tools, while others are considered Pantzers.

If you’d like to learn more about those different processes, then you can check out my full guide on plotting a bestselling book . However, in the meantime, here are two important aspects you should consider.

Constructing a story or a narrative resembles tapestry weaving – each thread, irrespective of its color, contributes to the end picture. Mapping out key plot points is about striking the right balance between careful planning and the liberating spontaneity of organic writing. It’s a process that allows you to guide your narrative with purpose while giving your characters the freedom to grow and surprise you along the way.

Plot points serve as milestones in your story’s journey, ensuring that each twist and turn is well-directed but not so rigid as to stifle creativity. They are the cornerstones upon which your narrative is built, providing structure and direction to your storytelling. Take the time to map these out thoughtfully, and you’ll find that the rest of your narrative can flow more naturally from these pivotal moments.

To learn more about plotting and mapping your book, here is a great couple of guides that will help:

How to outline a novel
Best software to plot or outline your novel

Characters are the soul of your story, and the settings are where their lives unfold. Creating a memorable main character is paramount – they are the lens through which your readers will experience the story. But don’t overlook your supporting cast; they must be just as distinctive and well-developed to bring out the best in your protagonist and enrich the narrative.

If you’d like to learn more about character building, here are some key articles that will help you:

How to write amazing characters
Guide to character development in novels
Writing exercises to help build your character
How to craft a character’s motivations
List of character quirks to use

Creating the first draft marks the commencement of transforming your vision into a tangible reality. It’s a raw expression of your story, a place where ideas take shape and the essence of your book starts to form.

But don’t worry, you won’t get it right the first time. Instead, embrace the imperfections of this initial stage; it is, after all, your first attempt at weaving your narrative into a cohesive whole. It’s during this part where authors can get most frustrated.

In a desire for perfection, you try to make it perfect – instead of just writing. Learn to accept the balance of good enough…this is because in the next step, you’ll have “editing” which is where we’ll work to perfect. So, don’t get caught up in this.

Also, during this phase, you may encounter writer’s block and various challenges, but remember, these hurdles are part of every successful writer’s journey.

Step 5: The Editing Process

Upon completing your first draft, the next step involves refining your narrative. Editing is where you increase the quality of your book, ensuring it’s polished and free from errors.

The second draft is about revisions and edits, addressing larger questions about consistency, theme, and the finer details of your story’s opening and conclusion. With a variety of editing, and self-editing techniques at your disposal, you can apply these to improve your manuscript before it ever reaches professional hands.

So, with that, let’s break down the two decisions here: Self editing, and professional editing. Not everyone can afford professional editing and so it is important to break the two apart.

Let’s face it, hiring a professional editor can be both daunting and costly. That’s why many opt to self-edit. If you do this, you need to be even more vigilant in finding issues and mistakes before publishing or sending off your manuscript to a publisher.

First thing is to find others to help you edit. This could be your spouse or good friend. But the more people you get, the better chance you’ll find a mistake.

Second, if you’re going to go the self-editing route, I highly recommend you look into a good proofreading software – something with a little more gusto than the likes of the native spell checker. For those tricky grammatical mistakes and typos, tools like ProWritingAid and Grammarly can be lifesavers, helping you refine your prose and catch errors that might otherwise slip through the cracks.

If you’d like to learn more about the self-editing process, there you should check these guides out:

How to self edit guide
List of proofreading software to help

Even the most diligent self-editors can benefit from the fresh and objective eyes of a professional editor. Their expertise is not just about correcting grammar; they provide invaluable feedback on the structure, pacing, and clarity of your writing, identifying areas for improvement that you might have missed. Investing in a professional editor can save you time and frustration, allowing you to focus on broader aspects of your writing career or even start planning your next book.

However, if you are looking to hire an editor , you first need to understand the 4 different types of editors and ensure you fully comprehend what those types of edits entail:

Developmental editing (may also be called structural or content) – looks at the book’s big picture and overall structure in nonfiction or plot and characters in fiction. Developmental editors may assess a book idea, outline, or early draft to tell authors what works and what could be better.

Line editing (may also be called substantive or stylistic) – goes through each line refining the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences and smooth-transitioning paragraphs. Learn more about line editors .

Copyediting – corrects grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors and checks for internal consistency of facts and consistency with capitalization, hyphenation, and numerals. Learn more about copy editors .

Proofreading – a final check before publication to find missed typos, missing words, repeated words, spacing and formatting consistency. Proofreading should be the very last level of editing.

If you’d like to learn more about finding and working with a professional book editor, then check these resources out:

List of professional editors

Step 6: Title, Cover, and Formatting

After refining and polishing your manuscript, the next step involves readying it for your readers. This preparation goes beyond the words on the page – it extends to the book’s title, the cover design, and the formatting, all of which play a significant role in attracting and retaining readers’ interest.

Your book’s title is often the first interaction a reader has with your work, so it should be attention-grabbing, memorable, and informative. Originality is key here; your title needs to stand out from the sea of books vying for attention. Keep it concise – a title that’s too long can be forgettable, but a punchy, powerful few words can stick in a reader’s mind.

Now, there are a lot of ways in which you can brain-storm ideas, as well as use some key marketing data to help choose a bestselling title and fits your book. So, when you get to the point where you need a title, be sure to check out my guide on how to choose a title .

Key Resources:

How to choose a bestselling title
Crafting a subtitle

The book cover is a powerful marketing tool that can instantly attract a reader’s attention and give them a glimpse into the essence of your story. To find the most effective design, test various options and evaluate which resonates best with your target audience. It’s not just about aesthetics; your cover should capture the spirit of your book and compel readers to pick it up or click on it.

Now, when it comes to designing your book cover, you can either do it yourself (DIY), hire a professional to make a unique cover, or buy a premade cover.

Key Resources:

How to design a book cover
List of book cover designers, services and softwares

Once you’re happy with your cover and title, it’s time to format your manuscript for publication. If you’re going down the traditional publishing route, the publisher will typically handle formatting for you. However, if you’re self-publishing, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your manuscript looks professional in both digital and print formats. Proper formatting is essential; it makes your book easy to read and shows that you take your work seriously.

Again, like in book covers, you can either choose to do it yourself, or hire a professional book formatter. However, I don’t recommend hiring .

With softwares like Atticus.io, it's never been easier to build beautiful books in no time. Furthermore, professional formatters and services are not only expensive, but also, if you ever need to make changes or edits after the fact (which happens more than you think), you have to pay them the full price again to do it. But if you have software, it's quick and simple to do.

How to format a book
Best book formatting software (recommended)
List of book formatting services

Leveraging Tools and Technology

While writing a book is a monumental task, a wealth of tools and technology exist to make the process more seamless and manageable. Some useful tools for writers include:

Atticus.io: offers a comprehensive system to organize your writing and format your book, providing an all-in-one solution for writers.
Grammarly: editing tool that can assist in identifying and correcting grammatical errors, helping to polish your manuscript to perfection.
Evernote: for capturing ideas and inspirations on the go, ensuring that no thought is lost. It’s a valuable resource for writers at all stages of the process.

These tools can greatly enhance your writing experience and help you create your own book, ensuring a successful outcome for successful writers.

Yet, it’s not just about the writing and editing tools. There’s cool stuff like Miro for interactive world-building and the Pomodoro Technique to enhance focus and productivity during writing sessions. These digital aids can transform a daunting task into a structured and enjoyable venture. Embrace these tools; they’re here to support your creative journey, enabling you to focus on what matters most – bringing your story to life.

The digital era has armed writers with a multitude of tools designed to simplify the writing process. Applications like Ulysses provide a distraction-free environment for Apple users, allowing you to focus solely on your writing. Text-to-speech software can be a valuable asset, offering a new perspective by letting you hear your manuscript read aloud, which can be especially helpful for catching awkward phrases.

For Windows users, some useful writing tools are:

Evernote: offers organizational tools rivaling those of Scrivener and Ulysses, offering a versatile platform for managing your writing projects
Miro: features an interactive whiteboard that can help you visualize timelines, family trees, and more for intricate world-building projects

By integrating these digital tools into your step-by-step process, you can simplify the journey from concept to final manuscript.

Writing a book is an extraordinary journey filled with highs and lows, triumphs and setbacks. From the initial spark of an idea to the meticulous process of editing, from the creative decisions around title and cover design to the strategic planning of marketing and launch, every step is part of a larger narrative – your narrative as an author. This guide has walked you through each stage, offering practical advice and insights to help you navigate the path to successful book writing and publishing.

Remember, writing a book is not just about stringing words together; it’s about sharing a part of yourself with the world. It’s a journey of personal growth, professional development, and creative fulfillment. With determination, the right tools, and a willingness to learn, you can turn your dream of writing a book into a reality. Keep writing, keep refining, and never lose sight of the joy that brought you to the page in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to have a consistent writing schedule as it helps keep your novel in mind, fosters efficiency, and prevents project abandonment.

Look for a writing software that helps you organize and format your writing, such as Atticus.io. This will make your writing process smoother and more efficient.

Yes, a professional editor can make a significant difference in the quality of your book by providing an objective perspective and suggesting improvements to enhance it.

The best choice between self-publishing and traditional publishing depends on your goals and preferences. Self-publishing offers more control and higher royalties, while traditional publishing provides professional support in editing, marketing, and distribution. Consider what matters most to you when making your decision.

To have a successful book launch, it's essential to build a launch team, secure reviews and testimonials, and make use of social media platforms. These strategies can help create buzz and visibility for your book.

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

Mapping Out Key Points for Plot of Education (Fiction & Nonfiction)

How to write a book using google docs, how to write dark fantasy: a guide for new authors, how to write a book using microsoft word, sell more books on amazon, amazon kindle rankings e-book.

Learn how to rank your Kindle book #1 on Amazon with our collection of time-tested tips and tricks.

3 thoughts on “ How to Write a Book: A Step-by-Step Bestselling Guide for Aspiring Authors ”

Loved this format, Dave – am currently editing my next book, so could skip right to that section for tips. The bloggers list will also come in handy for me very soon, so that’s much appreciated too!

I really enjoyed this article. There were many good points I never considered. I am a new writer. I self-published my first book in 2008, it is on Amazon. I am working on a second novel and it is in the revising stage. I cannot afford an editor, so I hope my editing will be enough. I plan to submit to Amazon.

Thank you so much for the hard work you put into making this information available for authors or soon to be authors, it was much needed.

I laughed over the idea of outlining software. Really? I do my initial outline in longhand in my plots notebook, where I also describe the characters. I wouldn’t feel connected to them if I did them onscreen. Then I outline 6 chapters ahead, on the end of my document, erasing or moving events around as I go with the chapters written. It sounds like someone has come up with a way to make authors spend more. If I want to write out of order, I add a scene or convo to the plot outline to slot in. Word is quite flexible enough! You don’t need any fancy software. Indeed, you can do it longhand with a separate notebook for outlines. And then edit the first time on transcription, which is more efficient than writing to screen. Only arthritis makes me abandon the habit.

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Education and Communications
Fiction Writing
Writing Novels

How to Write a Book

Last Updated: August 13, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Grant Faulkner, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD . Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and the co-founder of 100 Word Story, a literary magazine. Grant has published two books on writing and has been published in The New York Times and Writer’s Digest. He co-hosts Write-minded, a weekly podcast on writing and publishing, and has a M.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,864,569 times.

Anyone with a story to tell can write a book, either for their own enjoyment or to publish for all to see. Getting started is often the hardest part, so set up a good workspace, create a regular writing schedule , and stay motivated to keep writing something every day. Focus on developing a “big idea” that drives your narrative, as well as at least one unforgettable character and realistic conflicts. Once you’ve written and revised your manuscript, consider your publishing options to get it into readers’ hands.

Staying Focused and Productive

Step 1 Clarify why you’re writing a book.

Writing a book is both a vocation and an avocation—that is, both a job and a passion. Figure out why you need to write, and why you want to write.
Keep your goal or goals in mind as motivation. Just remember to keep them realistic. You probably won't become the next J.K. Rowling by your first novel.

While moving from a cafe to a park bench to the library may work for you, consider setting up a single workspace that you always—and only—use for writing.
Set up your writing space so you have any supplies or references that you’ll need close at hand. That way, you won’t lose your focus looking for a pen, ink cartridge, or thesaurus.
Pick a sturdy, supportive chair —it’s easy to lose focus if your back aches!

Step 3 Schedule writing into your daily routine.

The average book writer should probably look to set aside 30 minutes to 2 hours for writing, at least 5 days per week—and ideally every day.
Block out a time when you tend to be most alert and prolific—for instance, 10:30-11:45 AM every day.
Scheduling in writing time may mean scheduling out other things in your life. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it or not.

Step 4 Establish daily and weekly writing goals.

For instance, if you’ve given yourself a 1-year deadline for writing a complete first draft of a 100,000-word novel, you’ll need to write about 300 words (about 1 typed page) every day.
Or, if you are required to turn in a doctoral dissertation draft that’s about 350 pages long in 1 year, you’ll likewise need to write about 1 page per day.

Step 5 Write without worrying about editing.

You’re nearly always going to spend at least as much time editing a book as you will initially writing it, so worry about the editing part later. Just focus on getting something down on paper that will need to be edited. Don’t worry about spelling mistakes!
If you simply can’t help but edit some as you write, set aside a specific, small amount of time at the end of each writing session for editing. For instance, you might use the last 15 minutes of your daily 90-minute writing time to do some light editing of that day’s work.

Depending on your circumstances, you might be working with an editor, have committee members you can hand over chapter drafts to, or have a group of fellow writers who share their works-in-progress back and forth. Alternatively, show a friend or family member.
You’ll go through many rounds of feedback and revisions before your book is published. Don’t get discouraged—it’s all part of the process of writing the best book you can!

Creating a Great Story

Step 1 Start with a big, captivating idea.

Start with the “big picture” first, and worry about filling in the finer details later on.
Brainstorm themes, scenarios, or ideas that intrigue you. Write them down, think about them for a while, and figure out which one you’re most passionate about.
For instance: “What if a man journeyed to a land where the people were tiny and he was a giant, and then to another land where the people were giants and he was tiny?”

For instance, a sci-fi adventure set in space will be more effective if the technology draws at least a small degree from reality.
Or, if you’re writing a crime drama, you might do research into how the police typically investigate crimes of the type you’re depicting.

Step 3 Break your big idea into manageable pieces.

For instance, instead of waking up thinking “I need to write about the Civil War,” you might tell yourself, “I’m going to write about General Grant’s military strategy today.”
These “manageable pieces” may end up being your book’s chapters, but not necessarily so.

Lucy V. Hay

Look at breakdowns of movie plots for insights into common successful story structures. There are many good sources, like Script Lab or TV Tropes, to find plot breakdowns of popular movies. Read these summaries and watch the movies, then think about how you can plot your story in a way that is similar to the movies you really like.

Think about some of your favorite characters from books you love. Write down some of their character traits and use these to help build your own unique characters.
If you’re writing nonfiction, dig deep into the complexities and all-too-human qualities of the real figures you’re writing about. Bring them to life for your readers.

Step 5 Emphasize conflict and tension in your narrative.

The main conflict—for instance, Captain Ahab’s obsession with the white whale in Moby Dick —can be an entry point for a range of other external and internal conflicts.
Don’t downplay conflicts and tension in nonfiction works—they help to ground your writing in reality.

Step 6 Make sure everything you include advances the story.

Your goal is to never give your readers a reason to lose interest. Keep them engaged and turning those pages!
This doesn’t mean you can’t use long sentences, descriptive writing, or even asides that deviate from the main storyline. Just make sure that these components serve the larger narrative.

Find continuous ways to engage the reader. "I end each chapter with a cliffhanger, resolution, a turn, a reveal, a new wrinkle ... something that will make you want to read the next chapter of that character."

Publishing Your Book

Seeking publication can feel a bit like losing control over your manuscript, after all the time you’ve spent working and re-working it. Keep reminding yourself that your book deserves to be seen and read!
If necessary, impose a deadline on yourself: “I’m going to submit this to publishers by January 15, one way or the other!”

Evaluate potential agents and look for the best fit for you and your manuscript. If you know any published authors, ask them for tips and leads on agents.
Typically, you’ll submit excerpts or even your entire manuscript to an agent, and they’ll decide whether to take you on as a client. Make sure you’re clear on their submission guidelines before proceeding.

You can self-publish copies on your own, which may save you money but will take up a lot of time. You’ll be responsible for everything from obtaining a copyright to designing the cover to getting the actual pages printed.
You can work through self-publishing companies, but you’ll often end up paying more to get your book published than you’ll ever make back from selling it.
Self-publishing an e-book may be a viable option since the publishing costs are low and your book immediately becomes accessible to a wide audience. Evaluate different e-book publishers carefully before choosing the right one for you.

Sample Book Excerpts

Write Your First Book with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

Keep your notebook and pen beside your bed, and keep a journal of your dreams. You never know when a dream of yours could give you inspiration or a story to write about! Thanks Helpful 37 Not Helpful 5
If you want to add a true fact in your story, do some research on it first. Thanks Helpful 28 Not Helpful 4
Ask some other authors for some tips and write them down. Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 5

Avoid plagiarizing (copying another author's work). Even if you do it as artfully as possible, eventually someone will track down and piece together all the copied parts. Thanks Helpful 39 Not Helpful 3

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about writing a book, check out our in-depth interview with Gerald Posner .

↑ https://thewritepractice.com/write-a-book-now/
↑ https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-book/
↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/goalsetting/why
↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/08/how-to-write-a-book-without-losing-your-mind/566462/
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/getting-feedback/
↑ https://jerichowriters.com/how-to-write-a-book/
↑ https://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-fiction.html
↑ https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-revise-a-novel/
↑ https://www.janefriedman.com/find-literary-agent/

About This Article

To write a book, first think of an idea that you’re excited to write about. It could be anything – a memoir about your life, a fantasy tale, or if you're an expert on a topic, a non-fiction book. Once you’ve come up with an idea, you'll want to cultivate good writing habits to bring your book to life. First, make writing into a routine rather than an activity you need to fit into your busy schedule. Try to consistently write at the same time and place every day. Second, set a daily word or page goal so that you know exactly when you are finished writing each day. Last, don’t feel pressured to create a perfect first draft because it's much easier to edit perfectly than it is to write it perfectly the first time around. Focus on producing and writing as much as you can. Then, go back and spend time editing on another day. Once you have written and edited a draft that you like, seek feedback from your family, peers or mentors. If you want to self-publish, research how to do so online. You could also consider hiring an editor to help you through both editing and the publishing process. If you want to know more about how to write a non-fiction book, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Promoting Your Book to Schools! – by C. Hope Clark

June 24, 2021

When most writers think of school book sales, they envision elementary students clustered around a book fair in the library. While children’s authors can capitalize on that setting, schools consist of more than munchkins seeking pop-up books.

Educational facilities range from kindergartens to high schools, technical colleges to universities, trade schools to adult education venues. Seas of students equate to captured audiences of potential buyers. Teachers buy a lot, too.

Know Your Territory

Make a list of schools and their contacts within a sixty-mile radius. You can expand later, once you’ve saturated your home turf. You’ll be amazed at the huge number of schools in that small range. Whether you emphasize children, teens or adults, identify all the educational institutions. Learn the school district lines, because you might shortcut school-to-school by going through the district office.

Become knowledgeable about school activities. Obtain their calendars. Most schools maintain the year’s planned events online. If not, call and ask for a copy. Sit down with a calendar and plan a proposed marketing path for the year, noting book fairs, school carnivals, library celebrations, career days and special emphasis months.

Public School Workshops

If your book’s content is appropriate, offer to do thirty-minute to one-hour workshops for young students. If you’ve written a book about gold mining in Zimbabwe, it might be a stretch to captivate the local kindergarteners, but you certainly could talk about the importance of books and reading as well as how books are written, edited and published. Teach the children how to compose a book review and include online sites and local publications that might accept them. Give flyers, postcards, magnets or trinkets to those eager young listeners. You could print out labels for them to wear proudly, saying, “I Met an Author Today!” Labels that come six to a sheet make the ideal size, big enough to make the wearer look proud, small enough to not cost an arm and a leg.

High School and Adult Workshops

An older audience gives you more latitude. Not only can you teach about writing books, but you can launch into lectures about your research and experiences. Motivational presentations are popular, too. At adult education centers, if you teach a class for a fee, include the price of the book when determining the amount to make everyone’s life easier.

School Book Fairs

Keep your ears peeled for book fairs in your local schools. They often are held during conference week when the parents have to come to school. These tend to be fundraisers for the school library, so be ready to offer the librarian cold hard cash (maybe $20 or perhaps even a percentage of each copy sold) to set up your instant shop and sell your book with your lightweight table, chair and tasteful table covering. Donate a free copy. Take your notebook to capture names, addresses or e-mails for follow-up contact since most schools are prohibited from divulging information about students and parents.

PTA or PTO, Sports or Clubs

PTAs/PTOs are nonprofit entities with budgets of their own. They can feature you as a speaker with post-talk sales. Better yet, they can use your book as a fundraiser. So can the Band Booster Club, the Chess Club, the Soccer Team and the Cheerleading Squad. If the retail price is $20, offer them a $5 profit. If the band is building a fund to travel to a big game, offer your book at a premium. Books beat chocolate because they don’t melt, and they top magazines because the purchaser receives his goodies right away.

Homeschoolers

Homeschoolers are relentless networkers, and often have two or more shindigs each year to swap curriculum materials. Connecting to them is always idiosyncratically interesting because a lot of them try to fly under the radar. Regardless, they are eager for books, speakers, workshops for kids about writing and publishing, and are usually very nice people. To learn more about connections with homeschoolers, go to https://www.homeschool.com , where they have a current list of regional conferences and local homeschooling support groups.

Each state in the U.S. has an artist-in-education program in which schools obtain state grants to acquire artists (to include writers) for presentations. Artists-in-Residence can present a one-time, two-hour talk, or work within the school’s curriculum for a course lasting for months. Go to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies to find your state commission. https://www.nasaa-arts.org

Also, teachers can write grants for school programs, to include you, your lesson and your books. If you can befriend a teacher, principal or guidance counselor, you’re ahead of the game. If you know how to write grants, you’re a winner for sure.

Alumni Organizations

Alumni associations are some of the most organized groups in the world. They follow each other around the globe, keeping up with newsletters, magazines and periodic mailings. They are local, national and international. Some invite speakers. Others welcome feature stories about graduates, touting their achievements. As a minimum they accept inexpensive advertising in their publications.

Reunions work especially well. After all, you already have something in common. Conversation and connections are in place.

C. Hope Clark is editor of FundsforWriters.com, and co-wrote Ferocious Promotion for the Timid Writer , an ebook geared toward marketing concepts for the self-published and independent author.

10 Ways to Promote Your First Academic Book

By Joanne W. Golann

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Congratulations! You’ve published your first book.

TikTok video? Meme? Befriend an influencer?

To many academics, opening an account on Twitter is frightening. Many of us are camera-shy, reluctant to self-promote and wary of media representations. We dream of long, interrupted hours of reading and writing and shudder at the thought of a live interview.

I’m with you there. But I also know the sinking feeling of having spent countless hours thinking and writing and fretting over a book, only to see it sit at No. 581,000 on the Amazon ranking list. That means about eight copies of the book are being sold a month.

Academic monographs, I’m told, typically sell 500 to 1,000 copies—over a lifetime, and mainly to libraries. The running joke in academe is that the royalties from your book will buy you a few lattes—but they will also earn you tenure, which is enough for most of us.

We may also not feel much external pressure to market our books, but we’ll receive intrinsic rewards for doing so. We know so much about our topic; it’s worth sharing that knowledge with other people. I’ve also found that different audiences make me think about my work in different ways. And it undoubtedly makes my day to receive an email from someone who enjoyed reading my book.

I published my first book on “no excuses” charter schools and discipline last summer with Princeton University Press. It did not become a best seller. But, along the way, I learned you can do a number of small things to help publicize your book and get your story out to a broader audience. Here are 10 of them.

Target your audience. Figure out whom you are trying to reach. Apart from faculty members and students in your field, would other audiences be interested in your book? I wanted my book to be read by teachers and charter school leaders. To reach those groups, I sent emails to charter school principals, mailed hard copies of the book—with a handwritten note—to charter school leaders and teacher organizations, and created a discussion guide on my website for teachers and schools. Similarly, Mira Debs , whose first book was on public Montessori schools, organized book talks at different Montessori schools and obtained funding to distribute free books to participating teachers. She also created school and community resources .
Organize a virtual book launch. This is a fun way to celebrate the publication of your book. You can create a simple Evite with a Zoom link and send the invitation in an email to friends, family, students and colleagues. You can present material from your book, or it might be livelier to find someone to interview you about it. For my book launch, I invited Jennifer Berkshire , an educational blogger and author, to interview me, because she was knowledgeable about the field and a pro at the format. The recording from my book launch was replayed on C-SPAN 2’s Book TV .
Work with your publisher and their marketing department. Academic presses do not have extensive resources to market your book, but they can still be helpful. Typically, they will send an announcement about your book to a list of media outlets and facilitate contacts with interested parties. Mine also sent a digital or hard copy of the book to a list of 20 to 30 academics whom I recommended. They also sent copies of the book out for book awards, which can get pricey if you have to do it on your own. They made me a Twitter banner . You can also search different publishers’ websites for media tool kits for book promotion.
Say yes to most everything. I said yes to almost every media or podcast request about my book. I said yes to every invitation to speak about the book in college courses or university seminars. If your book is very popular, you may need to be more selective, but I found that I could manage those different events, as they were spread throughout the year. By the time I had done a few of them, I had to prepare less and felt more confident speaking off the cuff.
Don’t ignore small opportunities to get the word out. Have you sent a book announcement to your member associations/sections? Would a particular blog feature your book or post an excerpt? What about sending an email to colleagues and friends, alerting them about your new book? I received one from an author I did not know personally and ended up teaching their book. Reach out to colleagues you know in other departments and express your interest in speaking at a colloquium, book talk series or seminar. Send a brief email to journal editors—or a book review editor if listed on the journal website—asking if they would consider your new book for review.
Use your academic affiliations. Does your undergraduate institution have a reading series? What about your doctoral institution? I was able to get my book included in my undergraduate institution’s Featured Book of the Month , and the college magazine then excerpted that interview. Have you also reached out to your current institution’s media relations office? In every tweet I post related to my book, I tag my institution’s Twitter handle and they will repost it, widening its reach.
Read CVs. To identify potential news outlets, journals and prizes, I searched the CVs of academics who had written successful books in my area. That’s how I found the New Books Network , where I participated in a podcast. It’s also how I found two awards that I ended up winning: one from the Society of Professors of Education and the Independent Publishers Book Award .
Try your hand at a different kind of writing. Opinion pieces are a great way to get your message out succinctly and to a wide audience. Consider whether there is a recent news event or anniversary that can serve as a hook for your story. In my case, I framed a piece around the 30th anniversary of charter schools. The Conversation , a nonprofit, independent news organization that exclusively publishes articles written by academics, is a great outlet to try. My article based on my book was out in about a week, catchy photos included. The piece was picked up by over 20 news websites and published in the print version of The Philadelphia Inquirer . It was clicked on more than 57,000 times. You can also experiment with different genres, such as writing an advice piece in a publication like Inside Higher Ed for faculty who may be struggling through the book-writing process.
Start early. Media interest peaks around your publication date, so you will want to start drafting opinion pieces and reaching out to potential outlets several months before. The OpEd Project , which I participated in, is a resource for faculty who want to learn how to write for a public audience. Listen to podcasts. Research bloggers and influencers in your area. Figure out which reporters are writing on your topic and contact them. This is also the time to reach out to independent bookstores. I reached out to my local bookstore a few months after my book was out, and they said it was too late to host a book event.
Spread the wealth. Use opportunities to talk about your book as a way to promote the work of other scholars/activists/stakeholders, especially junior scholars and those from underrepresented backgrounds. Spreading the wealth puts you in interesting dialogues and brings attention to other people’s work. At Yale Education Studies, I gave a talk with Michael Martinez, a graduate of Yale University and of a “no excuses” charter school, where we discussed our mutual research projects.

To learn more about promoting your book, check out this media tool kit put together by the American Sociological Association with advice and experiences from academics. If you are feeling especially brave, you might even explore marketing strategies and seminars aimed at writers who publish books independently. Next time around, consider working with an agent or publishing an academic-trade book.

Marketing a book takes time, but these strategies are fairly easy to execute. And by pursuing them, who knows? You might even gain the attention of The New York Times or a well-known blogger. Cumulatively, and with such an endorsement, your book on game theory (OK, Jane Austen) may even momentarily pass the No. 200 ranking on Amazon.

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How to Become an Author: 8 Steps to Bestselling Success

Wondering how to become an author? Well, that answer will depend on the type of author you want to be.

Maybe you’ve always been a writer at heart, and are ready to share your story with the world and earn the title of “author.”

Or maybe you’re passionate about a certain topic and are ready to help others by sharing your expertise.

Regardless of your reason – the issue still stands: you want to know how to become an author of a book and a bestselling one at that. So what is an author anyway? And how does becoming an author work?

To learn how to become an author, the short answer is: You write a book.

Sounds simple, right?

But writing is rarely simple. So, let’s go for the more complex dilemma: How to become an author of a book that actually gets read .

You want to author a book that’s phenomenal, polished, and packed with content that readers will truly connect with. So how do you do that?

In this guide, we’ll focus on how to become an author of a book that sells . But before we dive into the steps on how to become an author, it’s important you understand exactly what an author is.

This guide to how to become an author will cover:

What does it mean to become an author.

When you learn how to become an author, it means that you ideated, created, and produced a written work, most commonly a book, novel, short story , poem, or other literary work of prose.

Traditionally, an author meant someone who had written a book, and this connotation still stands today, but it has expanded with societal changes. The term author can actually pertain to journalists, essayists, and those in the digital space such as bloggers or article writers.

Writer vs author

What’s the difference between a writer and author , you ask? Great question.

While writer and author are often used interchangeably, there is definitely a difference between the two. An author is a writer, but a writer isn’t always an author.

How hard is it to become an author?

While the path of learning how to become an author is easier with today’s technology and the rise of self-publishing, learning how to become an author takes determination, hard work, and usually a specific set of skills (which we’ll cover more on later).

For some, opportunity comes easier than it does for others. Some people become an author and find quick success, whereas others struggle for years to complete their book and publish it.

For most people, creating a consistent writing routine and actually getting the words written is the hardest part – in which case a book writing coach could be just the person you need in your corner, keeping you motivated and accountable.

It also depends on the book publishing method, which we’ll explain more on in the publishing section of this article. For example, traditional publishing deals are hard to come by, and it is a lengthy process. On the other hand, self-publishing makes becoming an author more accessible.

How to become an author in 8 simple steps

Now that you have a deeper understanding of what being an author entails, it’s time to dive into the exact process of how to become an author.

When learning how to become an author, here are the eight steps you should take:

1. Invest in education

Learning how to become an author doesn’t have any formal educational requirements. But at minimum, a high school degree is recommended. Becoming an author mainly requires that you have a strong set of skills, like the ability to read and write well.

When learning how to become an author, having a degree isn’t required, but it can help.

There is a wide range of educational levels for authors, from those with a basic high school education to those who have completed doctorate programs. Pursuing a higher formal education degree can certainly help you learn how to become an author, but it’s not a requirement.

Whether you get a degree or not, you must be an exceptional writer and avid reader to improve your chances of becoming an author of a book that actually gets read .

Our society values higher education . When you’re exploring new careers, the first question is usually: What kind of education is needed for this job?

So, it isn’t any wonder that people researching how to become an author immediately ask what type of education or credentials are needed to write a book.

A caveat to this: If you’re looking to publish a book on a specific topic , you must be an expert in that field or industry. A college degree helps build your credibility significantly, even though it is not completely necessary.

Common degrees to consider for aspiring book writers

English . Anyone with a college degree in English has spent the majority of their college career taking classes on writing development and reading literature for deep analysis. Those with an English degree usually have a strong command of writing, and study the works of famous authors.
Literature . Similar to a degree in English, a degree in Literature follows the same course syllabus in the sense that it is heavily focused on reading, analyzing, and writing about literary works.
Creative writing . Writers with a degree in Creative Writing have undergone extensive academic courses surrounding creative writing fundamentals and storytelling. Creative Writing students are expected to write rigorously to improve their craft.
History . Because history goes hand-in-hand with many literary subjects, those with a degree in History will have a well-rounded skillset to apply as an author.
Journalism . Writers with a journalism background are likely educated on news-style writing, features, interview processes, and more. Those with a journalism degree often have experience as newspaper columnists or feature writers, which can translate well into an author career.
Psychology . Those who study psychology have an in-depth understanding of human behavior and interaction, which makes for great writing, especially in fiction.
Communications . People with a communications degree often have experience in news-writing, marketing, public relations, and more, which are all fields that rely heavily on great writing skills.
Theater/cinema . Those with a theater background make great authors and writers due to their creativity, understanding of character dynamics, and screenwriting skills.
Liberal arts . Any degree in liberal arts is likely to be focused on heavy research and writing – no matter the field. Therefore, a liberal arts degree can set you up well for learning how to become an author.
A degree in any subject you want to write about! If you have a particular industry or niche that you want to focus on in your writing, pursue a degree in that! For example, if I could re-do college all over again, I would pursue a minor degree in Women’s Studies, because I love to write about those topics.

Alternatives to college degrees

There are also non-degree online education options for aspiring authors to consider. These are a great choice if you want to learn how to write a book or publish a book on your own. Programs like these are focused on achieving a specific goal, and can be completed at a quicker pace. (Example: Himalayan Writing Retreat )

If you get a traditional college degree, you likely will NOT learn how to write and publish a book. So, if you know for sure that you want to learn how to become an author, you’ll save time and money by investing in a course or program that’s specific to publishing.

For example, there are many online education programs specifically for aspiring authors, including self-publishing courses.

Be sure to thoroughly do your research to make sure the program is a good fit for your needs.

Online education options

Self-Publishing courses . Start here if you want to join an education program that provides a complete roadmap to becoming a bestselling author.
Coursera . Consider a program where you can select specific topics to learn about.
Udemy . You can find cost-effective micro-courses based on specific topics around writing and publishing.
MasterClass . There are limited courses for aspiring authors on this platform, but if you’re particularly interested in learning how to improve your writing from bestselling, world-renowned authors like Margaret Atwood, check this out.
CreativeLive . Another option for creative courses specific to certain topics around developing certain creative skills.

Type	Program	Description
Training Program	Self-Publishing Courses	Courses that teach how to write and publish a book
Learning Platform	Sites like SkillShare Coursera, Udemy, MasterClass	Micro-course offerings that teach specific topics on writing and publishing
Hands-on Learning	Real world experience	Many would argue that the best education you can get to become an author is to develop a skillset that improves your writing craft
College	English Degree	Classes on writing development and reading literature for deep analysis
College	Literature Degree	Heavily focused on reading, analyzing, and writing on literary works.
College	Creative Writing Program	Creative writing fundamentals and storytelling
College	History	Extensive writing and research skill development
College	Journalism	Extensive writing, research, and communication skill development
College	Psychology	Understanding of human behavior and interaction, which makes for great character development
College	Communications	Develop a broad skillset in writing, publish relations, marketing, and more
College	Theater/Cinema	Build creativity, understanding of character dynamics, and screenwriting skill.
College	Liberal Arts	Heavy research and writing - no matter the field.
College	A degree in any subject you want to write about	If you have a particular industry or niche that you want to focus on in your writing, pursue a degree in that!

2. Learn the skills to become a successful author

While there aren’t any formal education requirements to learn how to become an author of a book, there are certainly some important skills that many successful writers have in common.

Consider these skills like prerequisites – you should aim to improve these skills if you truly want to learn how to become a writer.

In a society of high competition, possessing many of these skills will set you apart and increase your chances of gaining a solid readership.

How To Become An Author: Top Skills For Authors

The top skills needed to learn how to become an author are:

Exceptional writing development skills

Being an excellent writer who can communicate effectively through words is the premise of learning how to become an author successfully. We’ll cover more on the fundamentals of writing that you should master in the next section, but you can check out these writing websites to learn how to be a better writer.

Creative storytelling that engages

It’s an art in itself! Whether you’re writing nonfiction or fiction, no matter what genre your book falls in, you need to be able to craft an engaging story that pulls readers in.

The ability to research well

Ask any successful author, and they will tell you that a major factor in successfully writing a book is to conduct thorough research . You need to know your content in and out – whether you’re writing historical fiction, a children’s picture book , or a self-help book.

Since you’re reading this article and researching how to become an author, there’s a good chance you’re already research-savvy!

The tendency to naturally observe people and places

In order to create life-size characters, make your story come alive, and describe people and events vividly, you need to possess the power of observation. If you’re not one to naturally sit back and watch from the sidelines, try improving your observation skills .

Vulnerability and grit

Authors put everything they possess into their writing. It takes vulnerability to put your words out there, and resilience to keep at it when the going gets tough. To learn how to become an author, you’ll need to overcome some serious mental blocks, and be courageous even when you’re overworked or fearing judgment.

How To Become An Author: Skills Needed To Become An Author

3. Master the fundamentals of book writing

Having an excellent command of writing skills builds a solid foundation on which to begin your author journey.

Many people can write, but not many people can write well. And if you can’t write well, that’s okay!

The good news is that there are a number of ways to improve your writing.

Writing isn’t necessarily a talent, it’s a craft. It can be cultivated. It can be strengthened. And with a growth mindset, you can improve your writing skills by mastering the fundamentals.

Some basic examples of the fundamentals of writing are being able to express ideas clearly and in an organized fashion, using powerful word choice , developing a clear point of view , and using proper grammar and punctuation .

However, there are a lot more fundamental writing techniques to learn and implement in your own writing.

Learn the writing fundamentals. First, learn all there is to know! You can learn basic writing fundamentals by taking writing development courses, and reading books on writing.
Study the fundamentals. Be an avid, deep reader. Don’t just read to understand the story. Read to analyze how the author told that story. Study the author’s style, specifically in the genres you want to write in. By doing this, you’ll start to identify characteristics of remarkable writing.
Practice, practice, practice. Put what you’ve learned into practice. Remember all the literary elements you learned about in school. Start actually using those in your writing. Try mirroring an author’s style that you admire. Write often and make it part of your everyday life. Write in a journal , complete writing prompts, write letters to friends, or write short stories.
Explore different genres. Part of finding your author’s voice and developing yourself as a writer means experimenting with other genres that you may not have written on before. Use creative writing prompts to help you practice your writing fundamentals.
Show, don’t tell in writing . This is the number one rule to writing , and it’s important for you to master it. Practice showing and not telling in your own writing, and understand when to use it.

While you shouldn’t cut corners on your writing development, it’s important to not get stuck in this phase.

At the end of the day, you can read and take all the courses in the world, but the most growth and development you will experience is when you’re actually writing.

4. Create a positive author mindset

Many writers experience feelings of insecurity. Ernest Hemingway supposedly said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

If writers are figuratively transforming the essence of their being into words on paper for others to read, then it’s no wonder the best writers suffer from their own insecurities and fear of judgment !

Feeling inadequate is expected, and totally normal. But the ability to pursue your goal to learn how to become an author (despite your fear) is what will set you apart from all the other aspiring book writers out there.

How To Become An Author: How To Create An Author Mindset

Steps to build a positive author mindset:

Overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a writer . Give yourself permission to be an author. Don’t shy away from calling yourself a writer – start owning it.
Accept that you’re a work in progress. Don’t strive for perfection in writing. Maintain a growth mindset , and understand that there is always room for improvement. You are constantly learning, and improving, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. If you wait for perfection, it’ll never get done.
Set a writing habit. Making writing part of your daily lifestyle is super important. If you tend to wait for inspiration as a writer, you’ll be left high and dry more often than not. We’ll cover more on how to set a writing habit in the next section.
Focus, focus, focus. We’ve all been there. You sit down at the table to write, and find that an hour has passed and you’ve only churned out a few sentences. Find a focus technique that works for you and stick to it.
Think courageously. Try not to get too bogged down in the negative “what-ifs.” What if no one likes my book? What if my writing sucks? What if this book is an entire flop? It’s okay to fear failure, but learn to shake it off and be courageous instead. For every negative thought you have, try to think of two positive thoughts!
Define your own success. Success means something different for every author. Some writers want to share their words with the world, while others simply want to build an author’s salary to support their writing. Whatever your reason is, get clarity around your definition of success.

5. Write Your first book to learn how to become an author

To truly learn how to become an author, you have to write a book first.

The world is full of great writers with stories to share. The trouble for many is – they never get around to actually finishing a book.

It also depends on what type of book you want to write. If you want to write a nonfiction book , the process is different than learning how to write a novel . The same is true if you’re learning how to write a memoir .

This is where it can really get tough. But with grit, determination, and a clear game plan, you can do it. We’re cheering for you!

Here are the steps to write a book and learn how to become an author:

Get clear on your foundation

Because writing a book can be an uphill battle, you want to make sure your foundation is rock solid. This means getting clear on why you want to become the author of this book. Once you’re super clear on your foundation, you’ll be able to write your book with intention.

Foundational questions you’ll want to ask yourself are:

When do you want to have this book done by?
How will you position the book?
Who are you writing this book for (your target reader)?
What is your book’s topic or genre?
To grow your income
To build a reputation/authority
To fuel a passion project
To share a story or knowledge

Brainstorm with a mind map

Letting your ideas flow freely with a mind map is an effective way to get those creative juices flowing. With so many ideas to explore for your book’s topic, mind map exercises will help you “brain dump” all your thoughts.

Follow these steps to create a mind map for your book:

Set a timer for 10-15 minutes to start.
Always be writing – don’t worry about grammar or spelling, just write out your thoughts without reservations!
Start with a central idea, topic, or concept.
Add connecting branches of key ideas that relate to that central idea.
Jot down any words that tie ideas together.
Use colored highlighters or sticky notes to organize similar concepts or ideas.

Create an outline

Using your mind map, start creating a basic outline for your book. Don’t get hung up on the details. Think of it in terms of a beginning, a middle, and an end. A simple outline will help you get the ball rolling as you start writing your first draft. As you dive deeper into the writing, your outline can get more detailed, and be revised as needed.

Set a writing schedule

Commit to your writing goals each and every day if you want to learn how to become an author. Set a specific plan for yourself, and set small milestones or goals, whether it’s by word count or time spent writing .

You can have all the ideas in the world, but if you aren’t setting time aside each day to actually write, then the chances of your book being completed will be low.

Tips for setting a writing schedule:

Set up a distraction-free writing space
Plan for short brain breaks to avoid burnout
Set a daily word count goal
Do NOT edit as you write
Have a buddy keep you accountable
Use book writing software to help you meet your daily goals
Set a deadline to complete your book by

How To Become An Author: Tips To Set A Writing Schedule

Write your rough draft

Sounds simple, but it’s definitely easier said than done. You can do it! The only way to write a book is to actually sit down and do it. You become a book writer by writing a completed book. Use your outline for guidance, and remember – don’t edit while you write !

Self-edit your book

Once your rough draft is completed, it’s important that you focus on self-editing your book. Although your book will go through a professional editing phase during the publishing process, if you self-edit thoroughly, your editor will be able to focus on other edits that you weren’t able to catch.

Tips for self-editing your book:

Do a verbal read – through to find areas of improvement in your sentence structure and storyline.
Work chapter by chapter to increase productivity and focus.
Don’t get stuck in the editing phase.
Remember that any points of uncertainty will be cleared up in the professional editing phase.

6. Publish your book

Through blood, sweat, and tears, you’ve committed to writing your book, and have officially become a writer.

Now, it’s time to take the next step and learn how to become an author. And that means publishing your book!

Here’s how to become an author of a published book:

Decide how to publish

Modern book writers are faced with a major decision on how to publish a book . There are two ways to publish: traditionally publish or self-publish .

You’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of each, including the cost to publish , and determine which route is more advantageous for you.

If you traditionally publish your book , this means that an actual publishing company will publish your book for you. However, landing a book contract with a traditional publisher is extremely competitive, and the chances are slim for most authors.

So what is self-publishing , you ask? If you self-publish your book , this means that you will be in charge of the publishing process yourself. There are many benefits in going this route, but you’ll need to make sure you are self-publishing the right way to ensure book quality and success .

Steps to traditionally publish a book

Pitch your book draft to literary agents.
If your manuscript is accepted by an agent, your book will be pitched to publishers.
If a publisher accepts your work, you will be offered a book contract.
The publisher will have your book edited, formatted, and designed.
You earn royalties based on the number of books that are sold.

Steps to self-publish a book

Find a book editor for each type of editing needed
Hire a formatter (if needed) for your book.
Hire a professional book cover designer to create an engaging book cover.
Choose which self-publishing platforms to sell your book on.
Upload the book to the self-publishing platform.

If you still need help deciding how to publish, compare your earning potential with our Book Royalties Calculator .

Book Royalties Calculator

1. my book will be published by a..., 2. my book will be an:, 3. my royalty rate will be:.

*Please note that this royalty rate is based on the market averages for paperback books. Actual royalty rates for traditional and indie publishing can vary by author depending on several factors.

4. My book’s retail price:

5. the # of books sold:, your results, your profit per book sold, for books sold, you earn:, for 1,000 books sold, you earn:, for 10,000 books sold, you earn:, royalties comparisons for 10,000 books sold, want to receive personalized tips on how to sell more books right in your inbox, 7. market your book to become a bestselling author.

Whether you traditionally publish or self-publish, you need to launch and market your book to learn how to become an author successfully.

This step is crucial because if you don’t market your book, how are you going to reach potential readers?

You dedicated time, effort, and – at times – your sanity, to get your book out. Now it’s time to let the world know about it.

You’ll need a strategic book launch and marketing plan in place, which should include a number of techniques to gain readership and sell your book.

Book marketing strategies to consider

Build a launch team before your official book release
Social media marketing , such as on Pinterest and Instagram
Effective book pricing that appeals to prospective readers
Build an author website to create your own author platform
Use book advertising on various book promo sites like BookBub
Get book reviews to increase visibility, reach, and credibility

To dive deep into your book marketing , plan ahead, set a budget, do research, and reach out to your network!

How To Become An Author: Become A Bestselling Author With Book Reviews

8. Write another book!

Your first book is a learning experience, and once your first book is published, you’ll realize how many ideas you have for more books.

And that is where the real success comes in. In today’s digital author landscape, it’s important to keep writing books in order to build a career as an author.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that one book will find instant success. While that does happen for some writers, it is the exception and NOT the rule.

So keep going! Write your next book. The more books you write, the smoother your process will become.

Are you ready to become an author?

Great books make the world go ‘round, which is why we’re all about helping writers learn how to become authors.

As you research how to become an author, one thing becomes clear: it’s a process that takes time, dedication, and some serious effort.

But nothing worth having comes easy.

Books are life-changing, not just for the book writer, but for the book readers all across the world that will learn from your story.

Becoming an author can be one of the most rewarding, and fulfilling accomplishments of your life. You deserve to celebrate it!

Ready To Learn How to Become An Author? This FREE eBook Will Walk You Step-By-Step Through The ENTIRE PROCESS

Faqs about how to become an author.

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about what an author is and how to become an author:

What is a writer?

A writer is someone who writes or expresses ideas or concepts through the written word. There are many people who write for a variety of reasons – whether it’s part of their occupation, or for creative expression.

Types of writers that aren’t necessarily authors:

Technical writers
Ghostwriters
Copywriters
Content writers
Songwriters

Can anyone be a writer?

It depends on the type of writer, but yes, technically anyone can be a writer as long as they know how to write. However, specialized writers, such as technical writers and copywriters often require advanced experience and/or degrees in order to be qualified for a writing position. Of course, learning how to become an author is a different story, entirely.

What is an author?

Authors are people who write books, novels, short stories, poems, literary prose, and even screenplays.

What is an author, exactly? An author is someone who has written and published a complete literary work. The publishing is key. If you haven’t published your work, then you are a writer but not an author.

How do authors get paid?

Authors can be paid in a variety of ways, but most commonly authors are paid through book advancements and royalty fees.

How much do authors get paid?

The average author salary has a very wide range, and an author’s income depends on a number of criteria, such as the number of books published, the publishing method, the book genre and topic, and the success of the book.

As of writing, the current average author salary is between $35,000 to $135,000.

How do i get started as an author?

Really, you just need to start writing! Finish a manuscript, edit it, hire a book cover designer and a marketing team, and learn how to self-publish a book . It may seem like an overwhelming process at first, but there are self-publishing companies that can help you with every step along the way.

Join the Community

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Julie A. O’Connell, D.Litt.

Department: English

Office Hours : Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; and by appointment.

Email: [email protected]

D.Litt., Drew University

M.A.T., Brown University

B.A., Georgetown University

Research Interests

Research interests include: Developmental Writing, Community Writing, Trauma-Informed Pedagogy, and ELL.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test Preparation . Co-authored with Sandra Rush, M.A. Reading and Writing sections. Research and Education Association, 2014. 2nd Edition, 2018.

Praxis PPST . Research and Education Association, 2010.

Praxis II Elementary Education Content Area Exercises (Test Code 0012) . Research and Education Association, 2009.

Scholarly Articles

“The Body Organic: Identity and the Natural World in Selected Poems from Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda”, Visionary Pedagogy Series: Facilitating the Transformation of the 21st Century Leader , Volume Two.

“Scaffolding Close Reading in the Developmental English Classroom,” in Transforming Students into Leaders through the Literary Arts and the Social Sciences Eds. Mary Alice Trent, Don Pardlow, Meaghan Peggy Stevenson Ratliff. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Mar 24, 2020. Link.

“The Power of a Slave Narrative.” “Connecting” section of JAEPL: Journal of the Assembly of Expanded Perspectives on Learning . Joonna Smitherman Trapp and Brad Peters, editors. Vol. 21 : Issue. 1, Article 1. http://trace.tennessee.edu/jaepl/vol21/iss1/1

Presentations/Invited Talks

Atlas University, Istanbul, Turkey. Lecturer: “East Meets West: Huzun in Orhan Pamuk’s Istanbul: Memories and the City and Robert Frost’s “Acquainted with the Night.”

George Washington University, Washington, DC. Conference on Community Writing. “Prism Paterson: A Counter-Narrative.” My portion of the panel: “Community Writing: The Great Falls.” October 21-23, 2021. Virtual.

“A Theme-Based Humanities Course on Climate Change.” Faculty Resource Network Virtual National Symposium, New York University, New York, NY. November 19-20, 2020. https://facultyresourcenetwork.org/virtual-national-symposium-2020/

“Therapeutic Creative Writing for Young Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome,” International Higher Education Teaching and Learning (HETL) Conference on Creating Inclusion and Diversity in Higher Education, University of Western Scotland, Paisley, Scotland, UK, June 2017.

“Ten Years After Katrina: The Flooded Physical and Rhetorical Ecosystems of New Orleans,” Second Conference of Community Writing, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. Co-presented with Professor Melissa McAlpin, Associate Professor of Art, Felician University. October 2017.

Additional Information

Currently teaches English to Haitian refugees in Neptune, NJ.

Professor Emerita, Felician University.

Participant, Faith and Politics Institute 2018 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage, Montgomery and Selma, AL. March 20118.

Pilgrim, Leadership Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, Felician College, October 18-28, 2012.

Recently Taught Classes

College Composition I – EN 101

IMAGES

How to Write a Book: 11 Simple Steps to Writing a Book That's Ready to
How to Write a Book in a Day
13 How to Write 101 Book Tips and All About Books
Review: An Excellent Educator’s Guide to Writing a Book
How to Write a Book: 11 Simple Steps to Writing a Book That's Ready to
How To Write A Book: A 6-Step Guide for Beginners

VIDEO

How to Write a Book: Five Skills You Need
How to write Book Review || Book Review on "The Great Gatsby
How to write Book Review || Review on The Tempest by William Shakespeare || The Tempest Book Summary
How to Write Book for beginners
How To start writing a Book
Book review // How to write book review in English // Rich dad Poor dad book review

COMMENTS

So you want to write an education book (part 1)
So you want to write an education book (part 1) Dec 15. Written By Alex Venet. Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash. If you're a teacher, you know that a great education book can be powerful. Professional development books can expand our horizons, help us rethink our relationships with students, and provide new strategies to take our teaching to ...
How to get started writing and publishing a teaching book
Editing Your Manuscript. You will need to have your book professionally edited before you submit it to a publisher or try to self-publish it. Remember, you want your very best work to be shown to the world. It's also helpful to have the perspective of an outside party who's not personally invested in your book.
Advice for Teachers Who Want to Write a Book
To Sum It Up: Before you write a book, know your message, your edu-passion, and your vision. Don't write a book until you're really ready (ask anyone, you're probably not going to pay the ...
Guide to Writing in Education
Don't wait to begin your. assignment until you have time to write. Start right away thinking about the ideas and problems you are considering. Talk with your classmates and those. professionals you come in contact with about your ideas and listen to theirs. carefully. rewarding.
How To Write An Educational Book
Choosing a Topic. The first step, in writing a book involves choosing a topic that aligns with your expertise and passion. Take some time to think about the areas in which you have knowledge and a genuine interest. This will greatly influence your motivation and enthusiasm as you go through the writing process.
Review: An Excellent Educator's Guide to Writing a Book
The Educator's Guide to Writing a Book makes the whole process of writing a book much less daunting, much more doable, and much less mysterious. As West writes on page 97, "The level of excitement that comes from signing a contract for a book will be exceeded only when you see your name on the front cover.".
Writing a Textbook
Writing a textbook - Advice for authors
So you want to write an education book (part 2)
Proposal requirements are different at every publisher but will typically include some of these elements: The pitch for your book idea. Who are you and why you're the best person to write and sell this book. A detailed table of contents or outline of the proposed book. A sample chapter of the proposed book. Similar books to the one you want ...
A How-to Guide for Academic Writing and Publishing
Providing an overview of the academic book publishing process, this guide covers everything authors should consider when writing and publishing a book including editing, delivery, production, marketing, and finance. These guidelines describe the book proposal process, explaining the timeline and what editors are looking for in a book proposal.
How to Write a Book: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Mar 2, 2022 • 5 min read. A step-by-step guide can help new authors overcome the intimidating parts of writing a book, allowing them to stay focused and maximize their creativity.
School: Writing a Book, Rethinking Education
Roel: I started working in education when I was literally and unexpectedly handed the opportunity to redesign the schools I attended as a child.It was an immensely rewarding experience, making these somewhat broken facilities whole, but I slowly realized that the process really didn't attend to the student experience except in the most inconsequential ways.
PDF HOW to WRITE a BOOK
Once you have your one-page outline, remember it is a fluid document meant to serve you and your book. Expand it, change it, play with it as you see fit—even during the writing process. 6. Set a firm writing schedule. Ideally, you want to schedule at leastsix hours per week to write.
How to Write a Book: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
How to Write a Book in 12 Simple Steps + FREE ...
How to Write a Book: The Ultimate Guide (with Free Book Idea Worksheet!)
How to Write a Book: The Ultimate Guide (with Free ...
PDF Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers
that address the challenge of teaching writing in elementary school. The guide provides practical, clear information on critical topics related to teaching writing and is based on the best available ... Institute of Education Sciences levels of evidence for practice guides . . . . . . . . 4 Table 2. ...
How to Write a Book Quickly in 10 Painless Steps
How to Write a Book Quickly in 10 Painless Steps
How to Write a Book: 23 Simple Steps from a Bestseller
How to Write a Book: 23 Simple Steps from a Bestseller
How to Write a Book: A Step-by-Step Guide for Aspiring Authors
Step 3: Structuring Your Book Idea. Before getting started, it is important that you work to plan and organize your writing. Now, you will find that there are different ways, methods or tactics to doing this. Some are incredibly organized and use tools, while others are considered Pantzers.
How to Write a Book: 15 Steps (with Pictures)
Write down some of their character traits and use these to help build your own unique characters. If you're writing nonfiction, dig deep into the complexities and all-too-human qualities of the real figures you're writing about. Bring them to life for your readers. 5. Emphasize conflict and tension in your narrative.
Promoting Your Book to Schools!
Also, teachers can write grants for school programs, to include you, your lesson and your books. If you can befriend a teacher, principal or guidance counselor, you're ahead of the game. If you know how to write grants, you're a winner for sure. Alumni Organizations. Alumni associations are some of the most organized groups in the world.
PDF How to Write a Rationale
Minimally, a rationale should include: a bibliographic citation and the intended audience. a brief summary of the work and its educational significance. the purposes of using the work and how it will be used. potential problems with the work and how these can be handled. alternative works an individual student might read or view.
How to publicize your first academic book (opinion)
Reach out to colleagues you know in other departments and express your interest in speaking at a colloquium, book talk series or seminar. Send a brief email to journal editors—or a book review editor if listed on the journal website—asking if they would consider your new book for review. Use your academic affiliations.
How to Become an Author: 8 Steps to Bestselling Success
Steps to self-publish a book. Find a book editor for each type of editing needed. Hire a formatter (if needed) for your book. Hire a professional book cover designer to create an engaging book cover. Choose which self-publishing platforms to sell your book on. Upload the book to the self-publishing platform.
Julie A. O'Connell, D.Litt.
Books. Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test Preparation. Co-authored with Sandra Rush, M.A. Reading and Writing sections. Research and Education Association, 2014. 2nd Edition, 2018. Praxis PPST. Research and Education Association, 2010. Praxis II Elementary Education Content Area Exercises (Test Code 0012). Research and Education ...
Education during the slave period in the United States
Slave owners saw literacy as a threat to the institution of slavery and their financial investment in it; as a North Carolina statute stated, "Teaching slaves to read and write, tends to excite dissatisfaction in their minds, and to produce insurrection and rebellion." [4]: 136 Literacy (the ability to read) enabled the enslaved to read the writings of people that were advocating for an end to ...