How to Write and Publish a Book: 14 Steps

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How to Write and Publish a Book: 14 Steps
How to Write and Publish a Book: 14 Steps

Video: How to Write and Publish a Book: 14 Steps

Video: How to Write and Publish a Book: 14 Steps
Video: How to Write a Book: 10 Simple Steps to Self Publishing 2024, March
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Writing a book and getting it published is not an easy task. But with enough dedication, a few people to help, like editors and agents, and your creative mind, you can do it. Start by setting daily goals that you can reach. Once you finally have a book, look at your publishing options. Be realistic about your expectations. The process should be fun, not onerous. Getting published is not all there is to writing. Have fun with what you are doing!

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Writing Your Book

Write Alliteration Poems Step 6
Write Alliteration Poems Step 6

Step 1. Start forming ideas

Write down some of them and then select the ones you want.

  • Some people manage to start writing with just one sentence as inspiration. Others spend months or years thinking through a story before putting a single word down on paper.
  • It doesn't matter what kind of writer you are; the trick is to follow an idea to the end.
  • Stephen King, a famous author, stated that he does not write down ideas in a notebook. For him, "a writer's notebook is the best way to immortalize bad ideas". That doesn't mean you shouldn't put ideas in a notebook you carry around. If this method works for you, follow it, but be careful what you write down. Ask yourself if this idea would be good enough to remember the next day if it wasn't written down.
  • Once you find inspiration for an idea you want to develop, start writing.
Write and Publish a Book Step 2
Write and Publish a Book Step 2

Step 2. Don't worry about mistakes; you can correct your writing later

The best stories are produced by continuing to write without looking at the screen and obsessing over every single mistake. If you're staring at the screen, chances are you want to change everything on the spot rather than continue the story.

  • When writing a book and waiting to publish it, you'll produce a lot of drafts before it's ready to ship. Some of them will likely make big changes to your story, but in the beginning you're just trying to build a world and put ideas down on paper or on screen.
  • Focus on building the characters. Certain books focus on plot, which is not a problem. But generally, people want to read those that are really about the characters and the importance of the situation in which you put them.
  • Although the plot makes the story follow, it's the moments between the characters that sell a book. It doesn't matter if you're writing a fantasy like Harry Potter or a novel like Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom".
  • Focus on "who" you are writing about. The "when", the "what", the "where" and the "why" will come more naturally.
Write and Publish a Book Step 3
Write and Publish a Book Step 3

Step 3. Set daily writing goals

There shouldn't be a limit on how much you can write per day, but set a minimum to help you focus on the story.

  • Whether your goal is 300 words a day or an hour, it will help you stay on track. That number isn't a lot, but it might be a great place to start. If you're new to writing or very busy, give yourself a smaller goal that you can easily reach.
  • Bigger goals are much harder to achieve and will often make you not even write. It takes one step at a time to reach a greater end.
  • You can increase your daily goal as you progress or if you have more free time to write. Just stick to it. Even if you feel stuck somewhere in the text, make an effort to reach your goal. You never know when inspiration will come.
  • Work in a quiet or empty place. Finding a quiet area where you can focus and that you can make your own is invaluable for writing. Even if you write in a coffee shop, find a corner where you won't have many distractions.
Write and Publish a Book Step 4
Write and Publish a Book Step 4

Step 4. Stay diligent

Many writers start out well but quickly get distracted, frustrated by the slow process, or get bored. One of the best and simplest ways to avoid this problem is to simply sit in the chair.

  • Following your daily goal and reaching it will help you stay on track. The act of sitting down and getting to work will help make the goal a reality.
  • Try to have a set time to write daily, in addition to a daily goal. John Grisham has published many bestsellers and started his writing career while he was a lawyer. He woke up early every day and produced a page.
  • Make writing an addiction you can't stop. Find a unique place and write every day at the same time.
Write and Publish a Book Step 5
Write and Publish a Book Step 5

Step 5. Get early feedback

While you prefer to protect your work and keep it hidden until it's done, don't. Seek frequent, early feedback on your writing from people who would be honest with you.

  • If you're not already part of one, consider joining a local writers workshop. These groups will help you make your ideas come alive, give you feedback, and keep you working.
  • Use the internet. If you're nervous about showing your work to someone you know, find an online forum where you can get feedback and work on ideas. Places like Reddit.com are options for you to get help with your work.

Part 2 of 3: Editing your book and getting ready to publish it

Write and Publish a Book Step 6
Write and Publish a Book Step 6

Step 1. Categorize your book

After you finish your story, see if it follows publisher policy. For example, Australian publisher Allen & Unwin requires the following:

  • Children's fiction.

    • For beginning readers, ages 5-8, the length is 5,000 to 10,000 words.
    • For confident readers, ages seven to 10, 10,000 to 30,000 words.
    • For average readers, ages 11-14, 30,000 to 55,000 words.
  • Children and youth novels.

    • For teenage readers, ages 13 to 16, 40,000 to 60,000 words.
    • For older readers 15 years and older, 40,000 to 100,000 words.
  • For a complete list and more information on writing and publishing, visit a publisher's website and check the manuscript submission section.
Write and Publish a Book Step 7
Write and Publish a Book Step 7

Step 2. Check and edit your story again

Don't think you need to stop looking at her after a certain point. Edit it as many times as you need.

  • While you need to edit and give as much attention as possible to the process, if not more than the writing itself, you should also rest. You've been living inside this story you created, and now it's time for a vacation. Taking some time out will help you get into the spirit of editing, as as an editor you will need to look at your own work with a certain coolness and be ready to cut it and make changes.
  • When you start, edit as much as you need to, but don't continue if you don't know what the problem is. If you don't have a concrete solution, you will cut the story and not know how to put it back together.
  • Over-editing is possible and dangerous, so ask others to check your work. A second pair of eyes can see gaps you missed by being too close to the text.
  • Get someone you trust to take notes and give you feedback. Until now, you've operated in isolation, but there will be parts that will need tweaking that you'll hardly notice on your own.
  • Read others' notes and keep them. You probably won't like them, so read them, relax, and after a while come back and incorporate those that are helpful. Discard the ones that aren't.
Write and Publish a Book Step 8
Write and Publish a Book Step 8

Step 3. Get an editor to read your book

Once you've edited your work once or several times, it's time to call in a real editor to read it. Editing is not the same as writing; you'll need someone who knows how to deconstruct a work, find the problems, and give you advice on how to put it back together.

  • A professional editor will be especially valuable if you are going to publish the work yourself. The last thing you want to see is a glaring, albeit silly, spelling error after all your effort.
  • The right editor will bring clarity and fluidity to your narrative without altering your writing voice.
  • The professional will bring a necessary objective eye to your work and will help you not only fix small mistakes, but also find the true story underneath all the unnecessary extras.
  • The editor will also make your book look professional.
Write and Publish a Book Step 9
Write and Publish a Book Step 9

Step 4. Do a final review to make sure you are ready to publish

After you and the editor have proofread the book to its last form, check that everything is in order.

  • See if you have a good title that you are ready to use.
  • Start getting attention on social media. Create a Facebook page and Twitter profile for your book and frequently post updates on what's happening, next steps, and other exciting information.

Part 3 of 3: Publishing Your Book

Write and Publish a Book Step 10
Write and Publish a Book Step 10

Step 1. Think about whether to hire an agent

These are people who will work for you and help you get your text published and sold. They have contacts in between to help you. Agents are also elusive and hard to get when you're new to the business.

  • An agent will not always be needed. If you intend to go down the path of self-publishing, you may not need the services of one.
  • Look for agents on specialized websites. There, you can find profiles and see what types of jobs are being posted.
  • Please read the agent's shipping guidelines before sending your material. The most common is to need:

    • A one-page cover letter that describes your work.
    • A synopsis of the book, containing a brief summary of its history.
    • A nonfiction proposal, if that is the genre of your work. This is a very detailed document, usually 20 to 30 pages long, that outlines your rationale for publishing the book.
    • Sample chapters or the entire manuscript.
Write and Publish a Book Step 11
Write and Publish a Book Step 11

Step 2. Search for different publishers

You can choose to self-publish, but getting published by a reputable publisher is the best way to reach a wider audience.

  • Some companies choose to publish or read only requested materials, manuscripts that have gone through an agent.
  • Agents and publishers also like material that comes from well-known authors or writers. However, that's not to say you won't get either one's attention. These people will want to know that you have a following and that you are promoting yourself heavily on social media.
  • Some publishers also receive your manuscript, even if you don't have an agent.
  • Check out the self-publishing options. This may sound like a way around a group of people who will just say "no", but it's difficult, and the reason people publish books is because they know better how to do it. If you decide to go this route, you will need to find a good distributor for the hard copies. You can also publish your story as an ebook through the Amazon website.
Write and Publish a Book Step 12
Write and Publish a Book Step 12

Step 3. Reduce your publishing options

Once you've picked a few publishers (the more the better), start researching them further.

  • Certain companies choose to publish only for adults and in specific genres, while others may have a wider range of accepted books.
  • All information must be available on the publishers' websites. Some have different policies and word limits, or only accept requested books.
  • Almost all require a hard copy (printed) manuscript of your story. Also remember the specifications. There are companies that prefer double-spaced lines, with a certain type of font at a certain size, etc.
  • Stick to what is specified. Do not send copies by email or on CDs unless it is stated that you can.
  • Never send your original or unique copy of anything. You may not get the materials back.
Write and Publish a Book Step 13
Write and Publish a Book Step 13

Step 4. Consider publishing online yourself

Self-publishing an e-book is a popular and viable option, and the biggest opportunity for this method is Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. You just need to upload your manuscript to the program and start selling copies.

  • The KDP service is free to use, however Amazon will keep up to 70% of your profits.
  • If you choose self-publishing, take your book to be edited by a professional and hire a graphic designer to create the cover.
  • Using this method, all the work of promoting your book will also be up to you.
  • Be realistic. It's more likely that you won't become the next big hit in your first book. Fame will not come overnight. In most cases, it takes several works and many years to build a solid reputation.
Write and Publish a Book Step 14
Write and Publish a Book Step 14

Step 5. Wait and be patient

Send your copies to all available publishers you can.

  • It may take four months or more for your book to be proofread.
  • If you get a "yes" from a publisher, congratulations! You will see your book in stores. However, the company may not disclose it to you. This task will be carried out by the agent. The good news is that getting one after the work is approved is easier. But remember that, in most cases, the marketing part is usually up to you.

Tips

  • Remember, no matter what your age, most publishers will still publish your story if it's a good one. Be prepared to accept criticism and use it wisely.
  • Always edit your own work before submitting it. No publisher will accept it if the text is full of grammatical and spelling errors or inconsistent. Also consider hiring a professional editor to help you.
  • Keep writing. While each has a different editing style, most people find it best to produce as much as possible while the ideas are fresh and revise the story later.
  • Throw away the "writing rules". There are mechanics in language like punctuation, general sentence structure, and so on, but don't get stuck with what you read online for rules like: "never write passively" or "never use adverbs." Editing can always come later and clean up your work.
  • Remember etiquette for publishers and agents. Always follow the shipping rules. Patience is the key. After a month or two of no response, you may be able to look for other options. Don't forget that unsolicited work is often put off for later and can take months to be reviewed.
  • Publishers will not always advertise your book. This task is left to the author. The company will sell it, but not advertise it, except perhaps on the website. Break the news to friends and family and spread flyers around your city. Create pages on social media to create an expectation. Sometimes, you may even be able to get a local bookstore to promote your book.
  • Look for multiple publishers. Some will be interested in you, some won't.
  • If you have an idea, start writing and don't stop if you get discouraged. Sitting down to do this task can be the hardest part.
  • Stick to the story you are currently writing. If you have another idea, write it down and see if you can insert it without taking the text in a completely different direction.
  • Don't try to find out whether people will like it or not. There is no way a single genre and type of story can please everyone.
  • Plan the story first so you're less likely to walk away from it. This will also make it easier to remember small details.

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