What does it take to become an author? Notice that I didn\u2019t even insert the word, \u201csuccessful\u201d in this sentence. Success is relative, anyway, isn\u2019t it? I know authors who don\u2019t believe they are successful until they sell 100,000 copies. And then there are authors who celebrate their success if they earn back enough to pay their printing costs.<\/p>\n
But what does it take to become an author? I\u2019ve narrowed it down to 5 P\u2019s. Ask any author who has been around the block and they will tell you that it takes:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tPlanning
\n\u2022\tPreparation
\n\u2022\tProofing
\n\u2022\tPublishing
\n\u2022\tPromotion<\/p>\n
There are no shortcuts. One cannot deviate from this established path to authorship. If you want to become an author and experience whatever measure of success you desire, you must consider each of these 5 P\u2019s. (It wouldn\u2019t hurt to throw in the word Patience, either.)<\/p>\n
Planning<\/strong> Preparation<\/strong> Also work on your platform: Proofing\/Editing<\/strong> \u2022\tCheck for inconsistencies and repeated material. Once you have done your self-editing, hire an experienced book editor for your final edit. Yes, this is necessary and the expense must be factored in. Hiring a good editor is an investment in your publishing success. But I must repeat\u2014this should be an experienced book editor.<\/p>\n Publish<\/strong> People ask me, which is the best publishing option? My response is, \u201cIt depends on you and it depends on the project.\u201d Your job is to study the publishing industry so that you understand all of your options and the possible consequences of your choices. My book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, provides a good start in that direction. If you are considering a pay-to-publish company, also read Mark Levine\u2019s The Fine Print of Self-Publishing, wherein he rates and ranks 48 of these companies and scrutinizes their contracts for you.<\/p>\n Promotion<\/strong> One of the things you will learn from studying the publishing industry is that the competition for books is fierce. You may have already noticed that everyone is writing a book. Did you know that over 75 percent of all published books sell fewer than 100 copies? And lack of promotion is only one reason why so many books fail. What are the other reasons?<\/p>\n \u2022\tLack of appropriate planning. Put your P\u2019s in a row before you even put your pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and you will have a much greater chance for publishing success.<\/p>\n Note: You\u2019ve been used to reading a new blog post here every single day for years. I\u2019m taking off for a much needed vacation tomorrow and wanted to let you know that my posts might be a bit sporadic during the next 10 days. This might be a good time to review some of the posts in my archives. You\u2019ll find posts on many aspects of writing, publishing and promoting a book.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What does it take to become an author? Notice that I didn\u2019t even insert the word, \u201csuccessful\u201d in this sentence. Success is relative, anyway, isn\u2019t it? I know authors who don\u2019t believe they are successful until they sell 100,000 copies. And then there are authors who celebrate their success if they earn back enough to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"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
\nBefore you start writing the novel or the nonfiction book of your dreams, put some thought into the potential for your project\u2014a lot of thought. I suggest writing a book proposal. You wouldn\u2019t open a business without a business plan. Consider the book proposal a business plan for your book. At the same time, look at your book as a product. If you view this project any other way, you are already starting down the wrong path. <\/p>\n
\nOnce you establish that your book is a viable product, begin outlining, organizing and writing it. <\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tCreate a massive mailing and emailing list.
\n\u2022\tBecome known among leaders in your book\u2019s genre\/topic.
\n\u2022\tWrite and submit articles or stories to appropriate publications.
\n\u2022\tDevelop workshops and seminars on your book\u2019s topic and present them.
\n\u2022\tPublish your own newsletter.<\/p>\n
\nOnce you\u2019ve completed your manuscript, you\u2019ll become involved in self-editing. Proof and edit as thoroughly as you possibly can. <\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tMake sure your spacing and punctuation is correct.
\n\u2022\tExamine your manuscript for muddy writing and run-on sentences.
\n\u2022\tEliminate those sneaky mistakes that aren\u2019t picked up by spellcheck.
\n\u2022\tCorrect any misuse of apostrophes or words.<\/p>\n
\nYou now have a choice to make\u2014you have options. Will you try to land a traditional royalty publisher for your piece of fine work? Will you go with a pay-to-publish company? Or will you self-publish (establish your own publishing company)?<\/p>\n
\nDo not even consider producing a book for publication if you do not have the money, time, experience, interest, enthusiasm for and\/or knowledge about book promotion. <\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tImproper preparation.
\n\u2022\tInadequate proofing\/editing.
\n\u2022\tIneffective publishing methods.
\n\u2022\tLackadaisical promotion.<\/p>\n