How to Get Started Writing and Publishing Your Nonfiction Book
A while back, Mandy* submitted a simple suggestion.
How to get started for dummies.
I was tempted to make that today’s headline, but —
I don’t think you’re dummies, and
I don’t want to get sued by the good folks who were smart enough to trademark the “For Dummies” phrasing and series.
So here we are. If I were to simplify the whole publishing process down to a few simple steps, it would be this.
Understand what type of book you want to write.
Inside of publishing, this is called category but a simpler way to think about it is: Where would your book be in the bookstore? What would be its Amazon subcategory? What books are similar, and what are their categories listed as?
A few super broad examples are: Memoir, Business, Self-Help, How-to, Parenting, and Fiction.
This will do two things.
First, it will allow you to get advice that applies to YOUR book.
Everyone in publishing — from editors at publishing houses to freelancers — specializes, which means that you want to learn from folks who are giving you relevant advice.
Second, you’ll be able to understand what is necessary and expected from you to get a book deal. Because what is necessary and expected varies based on the type of book you’re writing.
Understand WHY you want to write your book.
And if everything you’re saying starts with “I” — pause.
Because while that’s not a red flag per se, it’s definitely not a good pitch.
Knowing what you want your book to do when it’s out in the world is crucial because it will help inform your path. Some authors really, really, really want to hit the bestseller list and are willing to build an empire to get there, while others simply want their book to help the folks they already serve.
How you get to that result is very different.
Know what you really, really want.
For your whole life.
This may seem radical for a book pro to say, but your book is not everything.
For your publishing path to be successful, it needs to be in alignment with who you are, who you want to become, and how you want to live your life.
I recently spoke with an entrepreneur who had a thriving business, a great idea for a book — and only 2,000 followers on social media platforms.
She had been dreaming of a book deal because she wanted her book to be an accessible product for the entrepreneurs who can’t afford her services and to act as a lead magnet for those who can.
After we talked in-depth about what publishers expect, she realized that in order to achieve a book deal she would have to grow her audience and business substantially.
Which wasn’t right for her and how she wanted to live her life.
And though traditional publishing wasn’t a good fit, she still had options to make the impact she wanted with the book she dreamed of. It just wasn’t going to be the way she expected. Which is totally OK and happens far more often than you think.
Don’t stop there.
Learning what you don’t know is crucial for success, but you need to take consistent action too.
Because consistency is what I see helping people get the book deal of their dreams in the end.
*That’s her real name. Thanks Mandy!
