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How a Book is Born: One Authors Story
Not all books come out whole, all at once. In fact, most books ease out little by little. They have strange and wondrous beginnings. Some come from speeches, some come from articles or short stories. Your book may evolve from a teleclass or coaching experience with a client. The saying goes if you write a page a day, at the end of a year you'll have a book--a big book at that! But then, why think so big? Twenty-five years ago, I gave Speedreading and Memory seminars. I thought of myself as a teacher or trainer, not an author. After joining Toastmasters and National Speakers Association, I learned enough to strengthen my presentations to promote my personal growth skills business. My audiences from corporate and community education wanted handouts to take home with them. Seeing a need I revised and edited my how-to articles, then bundled them into short books. The articles came from my talks, wide research, and my own experiences. I wrote the books I needed and wanted to read. So can you! Check out your files today, and see what undiscovered gems are there. Only 10-60 pages long, these books were quick and easy to write. I priced them for my health and personal growth audiences as well as offering my proven consulting expertise to corporations. Presenting 15 public seminars a month, these simple short books sold well at the back of the room as well as leveraged higher priced corporate training, all enough to make two-thirds my income for the next 15 years. The irony of this story is that I did write a long book--sort of. At 160 pages, Passion at Any Age is complete, but my passion for it has waned. Following the traditional route, I submitted a book proposal to 30 agents. Five liked it, but their limited book tour offers and knowing I'd still have to promote it myself, made me think. Too much time and money down the drain unless I was already famous. I ended up giving away a chapter at a time to my book clients to inspire them. I also realized you can't market effectively more than two or three products at a time. Since my book writing, publishing and promotion knowledge made me a savvy expert, I offer ten new eBooks on Book writing, Online promotion, Web marketing and copywriting, and ePublishing as well as one-on-one coaching and teleclasses, so clients can learn by their preferred style. Remember, your book is your business card and helps evolve your business. Through writing a book, you not only help your audience solve a particular challenge, you share with the world your unique experience to make a difference in people's lives. Your book is an extension of yourself, your skills, and your own style. It will bring you consistent, monthly income as it does for me. My 20 years research and weekly seminars on how to write a book have come full circle. As a book coach, now, I encourage professionals to write a book--just write a short book! Make it an eBook. Think 10-30 pages. You need to write your book and share your unique message, but you also don't want to spend all of your time on it. Begin your book today by writing an article that answers one of your book audience's challenges or problems. You can then, string several articles together. Include more stories, examples, how-to's or exercises in your new book's chapter formats. Before you know it, your book will grow. They always grow longer than you think they will. You will have plenty of pages, and each page will deliver practical, inspirational material to your new clients and customers concisely and directly--the way they want it. Remember, Offline and Online potential book buyers want information. But, they no longer want to read hundreds of pages. They don't want to spend time reading a long book. Will business people buy your book? Yes! They are hungry for information--information that only you have and can say in your unique way. Will your book sell? Yes! With just a few significances such as "presenting useful, practical information," or "presenting material that could change a life," or "creating a deeper understanding of human nature," your book will be a great seller. Feel the sense of completion by writing your book this year. Don't worry about how long it is, its format, how much it will sell for. Remember, like me, you can write your print and eBook at the same time! And keep it going for your lifetime. Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com
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