Enjoy!

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Among the topics covered are:   the various steps in writing and formatting your manuscript, getting a cover and testimonials, converting your Word file into a pdf file, getting your manuscript into a hard copy book and many ways to publicize and promote book sales.

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(1) Take the time to organize your thoughts before you get started writing. Creating an outline is the #1 thing that I recommend if you want to get your book written more quickly. I often tell students that my first book, for which I did not create an outline, took 5 years to complete. My second book, for which I DID create an outline, took only 5 weeks.

(2) If you’re writing for a general audience, it is best to write at the 6-7 grade level. One of the bestsellers of all time, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”, was written at the seventh grade level. My books are written at a 6-8 grade level. Unless you are writing a PhD dissertation or some highly technical book, it’s best to leave out jargon that most readers will not understand.

(3) Use short sentences. Don’t let your sentence run on for three or four lines (there are exceptions, of course). If the sentences are too long, your reader will tend to get lost.

(4) Use short paragraphs. Don’t let your paragraphs take up the entire page. Shorter paragraphs are always easier on the eyes and easier to read. Again, of necessity, there are exceptions.

(5) Vary the length of your chapters. Not too long, not too short. If you estimate that an average chapter should run about 10 pages, then some could be 8 pages while others could go up to 14 pages — but not usually 3 pages or 24 pages.

(6) Use simple words to express your thoughts. Sometimes simpler words make for better flow and clearer understanding.

(7) Contrary to what you’ve been taught in your grammar lessons, it’s fine to start sentences with “and” and “but” and certain “unacceptable” sentence starters. Don’t worry so much about using proper grammar that you never get your book written. Just use your best judgment and you’ll be fine.

(8) Before you send your book to any printer, make absolutely sure that it has been edited. Try not to do the final editing of your own work. No matter how good you are, you’ll still pass over errors that a good editor would spot right away. Having a second set of eyes in the editing process is another of my most important tips on writing a book.

(9) Write with passion and integrity, and approach your writing with excitement and energy. For some reason, a part of your energy is conveyed in your words, written or spoken. No one seems to know exactly how it happens, but it does.

(10) Experiment with alternate ways of writing your book. One of my favorites is to dictate my “writing” and make a recording of it to be transcribed later. This is a great way to get over writers block and start your creative juices flowing again.

Understanding the process of how to get your book published, however, is the first step in getting your book to go from your hard drive or your typewritten manuscript into the hands of a publisher who wants to publish it.

Here are the general steps you need to take in order to get your book published:

Write the book.

Technically, you don’t need to churn out an entire book before you start the process. However, you do need to have a few sample chapters as well as a thoroughly detailed literary outline before you go any further. Actually finishing your book before you try to pitch it to agents and publishers is optional.

Figure out where to send it.

Some writers prefer to work through an agent, while some prefer to go directly to publishers. Some publishers will only work with agents, while other publishers will accept unsolicited submissions. Which way you go has a lot to do with personal preference, your genre and how comfortable you are with selling yourself. Regardless, you need to create a list of potential customers. Whether it’s publishing houses, agents or a combination of both, try to have a plan of attack that involves at least a dozen or so prospects.

Build a proposal.

The job of a book proposal is to get your foot in the door. Your book proposal is what you use to get a publisher’s attention. It acts as an outline of your idea for a book. IT should include a summary of the book, including a plot synopsis or topical synopsis (depending on whether your book is fiction or non-fiction). Your proposal should also include information about your target market, in terms of age, socio-economic strata and even educational level. It should also look at the competition, and identify what sets your book apart from others in the genre.

Get rejected.

Sure, sometimes a writer will get lucky. They’ll send in a proposal to a big publishing house that will instantly recognize the writer’s talent, and offer a generous advance.

The rest of us, however, live in the real world. We know that even the best books get rejected, usually many times, before they ever see a printing press. Rejection is part of the process, and can in some cases even be used to help improve your book and hone your craft.

Get published.

Eventually, someone will buy your book and want to publish it or they won’t. If you’ve tried everyone and no one is biting, you can still consider self-publishing or even electronic publishing. There’s no reason that you can’t share your book, in one form or another, with an audience.

( no exceptions, even for YOU   )

We’ll also discuss why spelling and grammar checkers cannot take the place of an editor, as well as how to go about finding an editor for your manuscript.

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He compares and contrasts their various methods and emphasizes the importance of customizing a method to suit your personal preferences.

John also explains ‘Writer’s Block’ and reveals his personal technique for dealing with this common annoyance.

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This one tip could make your writing a much more pleasurable exercise and could save you countless hours of work.

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We also discuss technology in the form of audio recording then transcribing your work and voice recognition computer software.

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A good title could make the difference between less than mediocre sales and fantastic sales.  It is important that you start the process of finding a good title way before your book is completed.

Also, discover how John came up with titles such as:  “When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat”, “Morning Has been All Night Coming” and “Journey in the Fields of Forever”.

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