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riting, self-publishing, print-on-demand, internet sal
es and marketing…for your book
What I Wish I Had Known Before Writing My First Book
1.
Writing is a journey, but a book is a goal.
You can make it. You can hold yourbook in your hands. It is achievable. But it is not just about just writing, you actuallyhave to set a target and then make it happen. Make your goal SMART - Specific,Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Based. So do
n‟t say “I will write my Lord of the Rings style trilogy epic in 6 weeks”. That‟s not going to happen. But you can say“I will write 1000 words per day on my <genre> novel and I will finish the first draft in3 months”. When you write that first book, you
struggle because it seems
endless…but you can make it!
2.
You need to know about publishing options before you finish your book.
I knewnothing about publishing while I was writing my book. I thought once I wrote it, I could just find a publisher. Imagine my surprise when I found out how long things take, andhow small the industry is here in Oz compared to the US and UK! I also found outthat I should have sent a query letter and a proposal as opposed to a completedbook (for non-fiction at least). If you know your options, then you can set things inmotion before you finish the manuscript.3.
Publishers want a “platform” and a marketing plan as part of your
query/submission.
If you are not an established author, this is even more important.I have lots about this on the blog - but I will particularly point you back toHow GaryVaynerchukgot a 10 book deal with Harper Collins. Also, here is afree award-winning book marketing planif you need ideas for your marketing! (plus more in the
$1 ebook“
“)
2http://www.TheCreativePenn.com W
riting, self-publishing, print-on-demand, internet sal
es and marketing…for your book
4.
There are other methods to publication other than the traditional route.
Don‟t bediscouraged and don‟t give up! Free your creativity! Use y
our energy to get yourwords out there!Self-publish,publish an ebook, write a blog, write articles, do apodcast, use print-on-demand. There are so many options and adventures to be hadwith your creativity.5.
You can sell your book on Amazon.com, the biggest bookshop in theworld.
You don‟t need a publisher to sell your book on Amazon. You can use a self
-publishing service like Lulu.com, CreateSpace or Booksurge and distribute your bookthat way. You can use print-on-
demand and you don‟t have to hold stock. It is
practically free! Wow! This was (and still is) so exciting to me! Despitethe#AmazonFaildebacle, Amazon still provides an amazing service to readers andauthors all over the world.6.
Promotion can be done yourself, with time and no money.
Suck up all theknowledge you can and do it yourself. Don
‟t have your finished book sitting sad at
now. My story is not quite so „big‟, but
published book “How to Enjoy Your Job”. I didn‟t have the budget for a
publicist so I spent 9 months learning about marketing. A great investment! ( I amalso sharing everything in the upcoming Author 2.0 course -click here to learn more) 7.
Writing and publishing books is addictive!
You might think you will only write thisone, but soon you have loads more ideas for more books! I have since written 2 more- both are ebooks now, and both will be on Amazon in the next month or so.
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