Is that how you feel sometimes? Are you afraid you will run out of time to write before you\u2019ve satisfied your writing dreams? <\/p>\n
Most new writers are in a big hurry to get that story or that nonfiction book out of their heads and in the computer. They are eager to see it published. Some are so eager, in fact, that they bypass some of important steps. <\/p>\n
Some of you might remember my article, \u201cHurry Up and Fail.\u201d Herein, I caution hopeful authors against rushing their projects in order to meet a personal deadline. Why? They miss important steps that could mean the difference between their project\u2019s success or failure. Here are my recommendations:<\/p>\n
Before you start writing the book:
\n1: Study the publishing industry. It is imperative that you know what choices are available to an author and the consequences of your publishing decisions. You must also have a clear understanding of your responsibilities as a published author. <\/p>\n
2: Write a book proposal. A well-organized, well-designed, well-written book proposal will tell you whether you have a book at all, whether it is a viable product, who your audience is, where you will find them and it will guide you in establishing your platform and your marketing plan.
\nDon\u2019t guess at these important questions. Don\u2019t make your decisions based on your desire. You must do the research necessary to more accurately respond to these vital issues.<\/p>\n
After you\u2019ve finished writing your book:
\n3: Assess the content of your book. Review it from many angles. For a nonfiction book, make sure that you have included everything that you need in order to inform, guide, teach and\/or educate your audience. Is your book organized logically? Is it easy to follow? Should you break up long streams of text by using headings and subheads? Is your content correct, quotes exact and statistics fresh and precise? Spend as much time as you need to make your nonfiction book the useful tool it is meant to be. <\/p>\n
For a novel, does every transition and instance of dialogue work? Are there any areas that sort of grate on you? This could indicate that your story needs more work. Don\u2019t quit writing too soon. But try to avoid stressing over your story to the point that you start changing things that don\u2019t need changing.<\/p>\n
4: Hire an editor. Every author needs at least one extra set of eyes before they can call their book finished. Hire a good editor and allow them the time it takes to perform his or her job. How do you pick a good editor? Choose one who is familiar with the type of book you\u2019ve written\u2014if they know the topic well, all the better. Select an editor who has come highly recommended. And it is a bonus if this editor is also involved in and knowledgeable about the publishing industry.<\/p>\n
5: Proof any and all changes. Anytime you make a change or you ask your book design person to make a change, do a thorough proofing of the entire area that may be affected by this change.
\nDid the designer type the new phrase correctly? When he added it in, did this affect the spacing or the flow from one page to the next? Do you need to make a change in the index because of an addition?<\/p>\n
6: Add all of the appropriate aspects. Don\u2019t skimp because of a time constraint. If you forgot to purchase a barcode and decide to publish without it, know that you are making a huge mistake. Now your book is automatically ineligible for most retail store sales. Omit the ISBN and you probably can\u2019t get your book placed at amazon.com. Is your book suitable for libraries? Then obtain the Publishers Cataloging in Publication block. And if yours is a reference book or a self-help or how-to book with many references, resources and tips, please, please, take the time to create an index. <\/p>\n
In publishing, time is probably not so much of the essence as is professionalism. Don\u2019t allow yourself to be governed by the clock when it means rushing your project. Take charge. Concentrate on perfecting your manuscript, first and foremost. Deadlines can be changed. Producing a book before its ready can be a costly and embarrassing mistake.<\/p>\n
Patricia Fry is a full-time freelance writer, editorial consultant and the author of 29 books including, \u201cThe Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.\u201d Order it here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n She\u2019s also the Executive Director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Is that how you feel sometimes? Are you afraid you will run out of time to write before you\u2019ve satisfied your writing dreams? Most new writers are in a big hurry to get that story or that nonfiction book out of their heads and in the computer. They are eager to see it published. Some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[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