How to Get Ready to Write Your Book

By Sophfronia Scott

Are you ready to get started on your book? Don’t be ashamed, it’s okay–I’m willing to bet your answer is “No”. How do I know that? Because the majority of people who make their first contact with me aren’t ready for a variety of reasons. Those reasons fall into the following areas:

* Financial
* Family
* Business
* Time
* Content (The person is still developing it or doesn’t know what it is.)

The real question these aspiring authors have for me–and I’m sure you have it too–is this: “What should I be doing to get ready?” Actually there’s a lot you can do right now. Here’s your check list. You could be:

Building your platform
You might not have a book yet, but you do have ideas and those ideas can be communicated now. The sooner you can build your audience, the better. A strong platform will help you get a book deal if your goal is to publish with one of the major publishing houses. Speaking, publishing articles and blogging can also help you build your platform.

Learning about self-publishing
There are many ways to self publish these days and the more you understand what’s available to you, the easier it will be for you to make the right choices for your book.

Learning about traditional publishing
If you want to publish with a major house and you don’t understand what those editors are looking for when they purchase books, you could get a nasty surprise when you start shopping your proposal or manuscript. The more you know about the process, the more you’ll increase your chances of success.

Working on your book proposal
As you begin to build your platform, you’ll meet more people. One of those people might be a literary agent or an editor. If you’re constantly working on your idea, you’ll have something to show the moment someone says, “Can you send me something?” You’ll also get clearer about your book’s strengths and weaknesses.

Determining what questions you have about the process
You’ll also what to make sure you find a reliable way to get those questions answered.

Following the book world
You’re about to join the book world. Shouldn’t you be a little familiar with it? Keep an eye out for what books in your genre are coming out. How are they being marketed and can you use those same strategies for your book?

Making strategic alliances
The connections you make today will help you to promote your book tomorrow.

Learning about marketing and public relations
Yes, you can hire people to do the marketing and pr for you, but these professionals can only work with what you give them. And at the end of the day, no one can know or promote your book better than you can.

And that’s it! The great thing about this list is that you can do a little bit at a time and over time you’ll find your readiness will increase exponentially.

© 2009 Sophfronia Scott

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, but you must include this complete resource box with it: Sophfronia Scott is Executive Editor of the Done For You Writing & Publishing Company. Learn what a difference being a published author can make for your business. Get your FREE audio CD, “How to Succeed in Business By Becoming a Bestselling Author” and your FREE online writing and book publishing tips at www.DoneForYouWriting.com.

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