Is the book you propose wanted or needed by a distinct segment of readers? Does it have the elements your readers require or expect? Does it respond to the questions or concerns of your readership? If it is fiction, are all of the elements your readers enjoy written into the story? <\/p>\n
Here are 10 things that you can do in order to make sure you are writing the right book for the right reader:<\/p>\n
1: Study the market with regard to books like the one you want to write. For nonfiction, what is missing from most books within the realm of your topic\u2014what is not being covered? For fiction, discover what is currently popular? Which genres are selling?<\/p>\n
2: Study books within the category you want to write. What makes these books work? What do you want to avoid with your book? Maybe books in your topic are typically heavily illustrated with graphs and diagrams. Perhaps readers of these books appreciate a lot of examples throughout. Certainly the way a nonfiction book is organized is important.<\/p>\n
3: Connect with your proposed audience through online discussion groups, bulletin boards, and find out what this audience wants\/needs. <\/p>\n
4: Read what others are discussion in these discussion groups, but also ask pointed questions to get the information you want. Ask, for example, \u201cWhat would you like to see included in a book related to animal behavior?\u201d \u201cWhat elements are missing in the relationship books you\u2019ve been reading?\u201d or \u201cWhat tugs at your heart most in your favorite novels?\u201d<\/p>\n
5: Join a group or organization in order to become more educated about what is available and what is needed. Involvement with your potential audience is a great way to learn about their reading needs\/desires. <\/p>\n
6: Subscribe to newsletters and enewsletters directed at your proposed audience and read them. Pay particular attention to letters to the editor.<\/p>\n
7: Visit blogs related to your book\u2019s topic\/genre. Study the posts and the comments.<\/p>\n
8: Start your own blog along the lines of the book you propose and invite comments from your potential audience.<\/p>\n
9: Teach a workshop or class in your topic or genre. Listen to your students\u2019 questions and comments.<\/p>\n
10: Communicate with other authors of books like the one you propose. Most are willing to discuss the topic and their books. One author may tell you that publishing a memoir is a big waste of time and money. However, you might discover that this author hasn\u2019t done any promotion and, in fact, doesn\u2019t understand the necessity to promote your book or how to go about it. Another author of a memoir might recommend that you provide more than just your story in order to attract a wider audience\u2014a self-help or educational aspect, for example. This step could give you valuable insight. Or it could be a deflating experience.<\/p>\n
Your primary concern before you write a book should be whether or not this is the right book to write at this time and if you are writing it for the right audience. Take these 10 steps and you will be closer to making the best decision on behalf of your fiction or nonfiction book.<\/p>\n
For additional help, be sure to read my book: \u201cPublish Your Book, Prove Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.\u201d It\u2019s at Amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio. Also available here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Is the book you propose wanted or needed by a distinct segment of readers? Does it have the elements your readers require or expect? Does it respond to the questions or concerns of your readership? If it is fiction, are all of the elements your readers enjoy written into the story? Here are 10 things […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t