Writing a book. Many dream of it, most never achieve it. Oh, it’s easier now- with all those self-publishing options, but that does not mean it’s easy…
Many of us have full-time occupations. (Yes, even in today’s economy.) Given that, when one comes home after a full-day’s work (which may mean 9 hours or more, not including the commute), spending time with one’s family, and the desire to “gear down”, it really is a little daunting to consider the time it takes to pen that book.
And, those of us who are academics- which to many on the outside look like we have tons of free hours to do so- we find the challenge misplaced. After all, even the writing of a textbook does little to advancing one’s career. Tenure committees don’t consider these tomes “publications”, because they are not peer reviewed. The only real reason to write a textbook is to fulfill a need for materials to teach a course- where an appropriate text does not exist. (It’s why I wrote two such texts earlier in my career- both of which are desperately in need of updating. That fact, by the way, is a constant issue for all textbooks- regular updating is a requirement- which can become an endless cycle, write the text, publish the text, update the text, publish the text…)
One of the important habits you will have to develop is writing daily- even if that is for a half-hour a day. Writing a blog can be a good first step toward that goal- especially if you decide to specialize that blog on one subject area. (No, Roy, writing a blog that covers items from brain chemistry to dialysis, from economic theory to taxation, or from business startups to leadership does not provide such foci…)
Others may suggest that you write a book proposal and send it off to different publishers. If not a novel, this task is daunting in and of itself…(introduction to the book, why such a tome is important, market considerations, and why this contribution is salient, an extended table of contents, with one or two sample chapters). But, if that proposal is accepted, then there is the onus of delivering the rest of the book. (I fell into that trap- when a publisher approached me to write a book on residential waste treatment – for real estate professionals.)
One also has to know the options. If one just wants to write a book- then self-publishing is a viable option. One just has to develop a budget (a marketing plan would be useful, as well), write the book and publish. (There are some good “houses” that work with you to develop just such plans- Lulu, No Limit, and Self Publishing come to mind).
If one hopes to advance one’s teaching carerr, then an academic publisher may better fit that need. For example, Harvard University Press subjects every tome to peer review, and a full-court board review. Among other choices, this provides that ‘critical factor’ for tenure committee considerations. (One also does not need an agent, which are often “de rigeur” when approaching the choice below.)
Commercial publishers reach for a much wider audience- and provide better chances to make a profit from publishing. The problem is finding that “perfect fit”. As an author, you need to find that house that caters to your audience or desires tomes that fit your niche- so the editors won’t be baffled by what you submit.
If the tome is to be a novel, then you need (really, it’s best) an agent. These folks don’t come cheap- they’ll consume 10 to 20% of the revenue you will receive. (Agents are now even working with academic presses!) But, these folks can help you edit your proposals, hone your ideas, and negotiate those contracts with the publishers. (An agent with a great reputaton also helps you get your proposal read!)
And, don’t forget to obtain the services of a great lawyer, too! Those publishing contracts are written to protect the publishers- not you! That next book you were considering- they probably usurped the rights to it somewhere in the fine print…
I think the most important practical issues of writing and publishing a book are covered.
Helene Poulakou recently posted..When You’re On Stage, Everyone Plays
Thanks for that kind comment, Eleni!
I am glad that I covered the bases… (oh, wait, that may be too American an expression. I am glad that I managed to fill in all the blanks in the process.)
Roy
Great minds want to know. Did you write the book?
shawn recently posted..Introducing the New Guide to WordPress
I am in the process of writing two books … and, I admit the process has been less than streamlined.
I can provide all sorts of excuses, Shawn, but, to be honest to myself- and others, I really have no one to blame but myself. Oh, yes, there are pressing business issues. Oh, yes, there have been pressing family issues. But, I could spend 30 minutes of my time at my coffee shop finishing the books. (Yes, that is among my new objectives.) And, given one of the pressing business issues, my daily schedule is about to change- which means that when I make the new schedule, time for editing these tomes MUST be allotted. (Hear that, brain?)
Thanks for the inquiry…
Publish or Perish? That is a great title and one that should attract some serious attention. I have been reading many (I do mean MANY) self-published books over the past couple of years. I am thrilled that self-publishing has opened the door to just about anyone who wants to write a book. Some authors are self-publishing articles, essays and booklets on Amazon. I agree that writing a quality book is time consuming but I think book marketing is much more difficult. Authors who have not established a platform (previous books, professional reputation, social media, networking, etc.) have a very rough time.
Janette Fuller recently posted..Book Review: A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
Janette:
You are absolutely correct. All these folks who think that self-publishing is the way to go- and are told that by others (some of which who sell kits to do so)- aren’t mistaken. They just don’t know about those critical steps in the process- getting folks to know- and then read- and then buy- the book of which the author is oh, so proud!
Thanks for making sure that fact is not omitted.
Roy
As the author of 5 books, I agree with all of your points. I’ve been with large publishers, small publishers and I’ve self-published through my publishing company. The bottom line is you need to know WHY you’re writing a book. If you want to see your words in print and you need gifts for a the holidays, self-publishing, actually print-on-demand is your best choice. If you’re a speaker and can sell books at the back of the room or build the cost of the books into your speaking fee, then you can recoup your printing costs. Publishing a book gives you credibility and can establish you as an expert. Just make sure you know the topic you’re going to cover in your book and research it thoroughly. If you’re going to write fiction, I agree that an agent is a good idea. They’re tough to find and picky about which authors they’ll represent. This blog post is a good guideline for authors.
Thank you SO much for that comment, Lisa.
I love the differentiation you offered. I had considered print-on-demand for my course texts, as well, because it lets those who want the text obtain it as and when needed.
I find that for speaking engagements where you wish to sell the book, a hardcover or elegant soft cover edition is the best choice to offer.
Thanks for bringing these facts to the fore. They are necessary parts of the equation in book writing and publishing.
And, then, there are eBooks you can publish for Amazon and sell for $ 2.99. A lot of people are going that route. Some are even selling their books.
Ann Mullen recently posted..Stanton Lawson says:
Actually, Ann, there are books at almost any price on Amazon. But, they generally don’t work well for technical matters…
(I have had limited success on Amazon. But, then, again, I’ve tried limited times…)
I’m working with Vervante to publish my books. Using the blog to write my book was ideal. It wasn’t my plan to write a book, but accepting the challenge to write everyday, knowing that I would stick with my theme made it easy to do.
And even self publishing requires a budget. I prepared the book as well as I could by myself, but had to get the publisher to do some formatting. Self publishing also requires self-selling so one has to have systems in place i.e. a shopping cart. It cost me approximately $300 to get it right. The next effort will be less expensive and easier as the systems are in place and the only cost will be formatting.
Good information Roy.
Julia Neiman recently posted..The Six Phases of Business Development
Thanks for amplifying the facts of the blog, Julia. That will help even more folks!
Hi Roy,
My top tip when it comes to book writing, is to just get writing!
Most people never even start. For some starting might mean the realisation that they haven’t in fact got a book in them, but for some it might open the floodgates and unleash a torrent of output.
Either way, not writing anything is not an option, but it’s the option that most would be writers take!
Cheers, Gordon
The Great Gordino recently posted..Goal Achievement – A Very Fishy Lesson From The Weather!
Absolutely correct, Gordon. Procrastination, claiming life’s demands are way too pressing to
get it done”, only mean that you are absolving yourself from the task….
Good point about the lawyer! It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and not protect oneself!
Carolina HeartStrings recently posted..CREAMED POTATOES
It’s never good to enter a sword fight with a pen knife, Alessa!
This is quite a useful post given NaNoWriMo just started. Starting a novel and trying to finish it off within a month and being accountable might do the trick. And if you are not able to finish it within a month, at least you started and you have a plan to carry on.
I know a friend who got royally s*&^@#$ by the publishers. He didn’t understand the legal implications and went ahead and got just 2% of his book sales. Because he blindly trusted the publishers and when we wanted to opt out, he had to pay a huge sum of money (almost what he made from his book sales). Sadly.
Hajra recently posted..I am friends with weird people
Thanks for bringing up those two great points, Hajra. Until this past week, I had never heard of NaWoWriMo. But, I do know all about the publishing lawyers’ games…