Self-Publishing Success

Self-Publishing Success

Are you an aspiring author with a story to share or expertise to impart, but unsure of how to navigate the complex world of self-publishing? Look no further for your pathway to self-publishing success.

My comprehensive suite of courses is designed to equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and tools you need to bring your book to life and achieve success as an independent author.

Guide to Self-Publishing on Amazon

Guide To Self-Publishing on Amazon

Feeling daunted by the idea of self-publishing your masterpiece on Amazon? Fear not!

Introducing the ultimate solution: my comprehensive Guide to Self-Publishing on Amazon. This isn’t just any guide—it’s your roadmap to success, empowering you to publish your book without breaking the bank, and getting it to market within twenty-four hours. With easy-to-follow steps and expert guidance, bid farewell to uncertainty and embrace a confident, triumphant book launch. It’s time to turn your publishing dreams into reality!

This guide at AU$297 is tailored to suit your needs. 

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Guide to Self-Publishing on IngramSpark

Guide To Self-Publishing on IngramSpark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you looking for a cost-effective and efficient way to publish your book globally? This Guide to Self-Publishing on IngramSpark has got you covered. Whether you’re a first-time author or an experienced writer, this home study program gives you the tools and resources you need to publish with confidence. Join thousands of authors who have leveraged the power of IngramSpark’s distribution network to reach readers worldwide.

This guide is available at AU$297.

 

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The Self-Publishing Genius 

Self-Publishing Genius

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you ready to take your self-publishing journey to the next level? My flagship program, the Self-Publishing Genius, is designed for authors who want to become masters of their destiny.

With 8 modules and over 90 video lessons, this premium course offers hand-held, personalised guidance and support every step of the way. From concept to publication, become the CEO of your own self-publishing house and turn your dream of becoming a successful author into reality. 

This program is by application only. To learn more join me in my free online Webinar. 

Don’t wait. Secure your free ticket now by clicking the button below.

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You might be dreaming of publishing your book today but with my help, you could be holding it in your hands tomorrow.

 

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

 

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Self-Publishing Trends in 2024

Self-Publishing Trends in 2024

 

In the realm of publishing, self-publishing isn’t merely an alternative; it has evolved into a thriving industry offering creators unprecedented control and potentially lucrative opportunities. Let’s delve into six self-publishing trends in 2024 which are reshaping the industry.  

Artificial Intelligence

 

Artificial intelligenceThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising self-publishing, empowering authors with advanced tools for editing, marketing, and audience targeting.

AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT are assisting authors to craft compelling back cover blurbs and book descriptions.

AI is helping them refine their manuscripts, and even conducting research, thereby streamlining the publishing process and enhancing reach.

Audiobooks

The audiobook sector is experiencing a revolution, with platforms like Amazon offering authors the capability to create audiobooks swiftly through virtual voice narration technology. 

The Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) makes it easy to produce and distribute your digital audiobook. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the exciting new Kindle features Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading to reach more readers in more ways.

Audiobook production has become more accessible to indie authors. With the audiobook market projected to grow substantially, authors can tap into this medium to engage a broader audience, offering convenience and accessibility to readers on the go.

Ebooks

eBooks

Ebooks continue to dominate the reading landscape, with over a billion readers projected in the next four years.

Their affordability, portability, and instant accessibility across devices make them a preferred choice for readers worldwide.

Whether in PDF, ePUB, or MOBI format, ebooks offer unparalleled convenience, allowing readers to carry entire libraries in their pockets.

Popular Genres

In the realm of fiction, romance remains a perennial favourite, followed closely by the enduring popularity of fantasy. 

In addition, the non-fiction market is witnessing a surge, particularly in genres such as memoirs, self-help, and personal growth books.

Authors can capitalise on these trends by aligning their content with prevalent reader preferences, thereby enhancing marketability and reader engagement.

Innovative Marketing Strategies

Short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and reels on Instagram have emerged as potent marketing tools for authors.

The rise of BookTok, boasting over 205.1 billion users as of December 2023, underscores the power of these platforms in amplifying authors’ visibility and attracting diverse audiences.

Leveraging these platforms enables authors to forge direct connections with readers and cultivate a loyal following

Direct Sales

With the proliferation of digital platforms, authors now have the opportunity to sell their books directly to consumers through their author websites, mailing lists and social media.

Bypassing traditional retailers allows authors to exercise greater control over pricing, distribution, and reader interactions, fostering a more intimate and sustainable author-reader relationship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the landscape of self-publishing in 2024 is marked by innovation, accessibility, and opportunity.

With the integration of AI technologies, the proliferation of audiobooks and ebooks, and the advent of novel marketing strategies, authors have unprecedented avenues to showcase their work, engage with readers, and achieve financial success.

As the self-publishing industry continues to evolve, embracing these trends is essential for authors seeking to thrive in this dynamic landscape.

To learn about my secrets for self-publishing your book register for my next free, live class. Get your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Self-Publishing Tips

Self-Publishing Tips

 

Roadmap for Successful Self-Publishing

 

Are you a budding author with a story to share or expertise to impart? Do you need some self-publishing tips?

The world of self-publishing has opened up unprecedented opportunities, and Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform is at the forefront of this revolution. 

However, self-publishing success is not something that happens overnight. it requires careful planning, dedication, and a strategic approach.

In this post, we’ll explore some tips to help you prepare for a successful self-publishing journey with Amazon’s KDP.

Start Now

The first step in your self-publishing journey is to stop dilly-dallying around. Make a decision and start now. Start today, not tomorrow.

Set a schedule and stick to it. You may still be drafting your manuscript. You might be fine-tuning the final details of your book.

Taking that first step is crucial. The sooner you start, the closer you are to realising your dream of becoming a published author.

Embrace AI Technology

 

Artificial intelligence

Amazon’s KDP operates in a digital landscape. It’s essential then to be computer-literate.

Familiarise yourself with the KDP platform. Understand that your manuscript will need formatting. Realise, too, that there are digital tools available to enhance your book.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the book industry.  Whether you like it or not the transformation of the book industry helps authors on their self-publishing journey.

Developments are fast. This speed propels the publishing industry to a whole new level.

Validate Your Idea

Before diving deep into self-publishing, validate your book idea. You want to sell your book, don’t you?

Check if there are other books similar to yours in the market. Analyze their success and identify what makes your book unique.

A thorough understanding of your niche and target audience is key to standing out in a crowded market.

Get a Fresh Perspective

Give your book a fresh perspective. Consider what unique angle or approach you can bring to the table. A different perspective will help your book stand out from its competitors.

Specialise in a Niche

Don’t try to cater for a broad audience. Focus on one or two specific niches. Building a brand around your niche will help you establish yourself as an authority, making it easier to connect with your target readers.

Invest

Investing in your self-publishing venture is a crucial step. Consider tools like Publisher Rocket to optimise your book’s visibility.

In addition, outsourcing tasks like designing your book’s cover to professionals ensures a polished and attractive end product.

Learn as You Go

Become A Self-Published Author

Don’t wait to acquire all the knowledge before taking action. Be proactive and learn as you go.

The self-publishing landscape is dynamic, and hands-on experience is invaluable. Adapt and refine your strategy based on real-time feedback and data.

Invest in Coaching

Find a coach or mentor who can guide you through the complexities of self-publishing. Enrol in courses that provide insights into successful book launches, marketing strategies, and the intricacies of Amazon’s KDP platform.

In conclusion, self-publishing with Amazon’s KDP is an exciting and rewarding journey, but success requires meticulous planning and continuous learning.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the self-publishing landscape and turn your authorial dreams into reality.

To learn more about self-publishing your book register for my next free, live webinar. Get your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

 

The Book Industry Transformed

The Book Industry Transformed

 

Artificial Intelligence

The book industry transformed, and a profound and fast evolution all thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whether you like it or not the transformation of the book industry is now facilitating book production and assisting authors on their self-publishing journey.

Developments are happening fast. The entire book industry is being revolutionised, and this speed is propelling the publishing industry to a whole new level.

Artificial intelligence is remodelling content creation and publication. While AI-generated books may not yet rival the masterpieces crafted by seasoned human authors, they exemplify the capacity of AI to assist in the creative process, producing unique written pieces.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence in the book industry is undeniable.

AI tools

Artificial Intelligence tools extend to editing and proofreading, offering assistance in preparing manuscripts for platforms like Amazon and IngramSpark. The Grammarly software ensures error-free and reader-friendly content. It enhances overall writing quality by identifying grammar, spelling, and sentence structure issues.

Marketing

ChatGPT

Beyond editing, AI contributes to research and marketing efforts. Programs like Chat GPT analyse consumer behaviour and preference data, assisting authors in tailoring marketing strategies to effectively reach their target audience. 

AI-generated marketing content, derived from loading manuscripts into tools like Chat GPT, allows authors to request articles or receive lists of topic ideas to promote their books.

Translation capabilities

AI-powered content generation tools analyse extensive text data and can craft coherent sentences and paragraphs to compose whole books. Authors seeking multilingual publications benefit from AI’s translation capabilities, facilitating the transformation of works into different languages.

AI doesn’t stop at textual elements; it plays a role in recommending books to readers based on their interests and reading history, expanding an author’s reach and increasing work visibility.

Artwork

AI-generated art work

Artists also find a companion in AI. It’s now possible to create AI-generated artwork so that authors can produce artwork to illustrate their books. 

Video tools like Opus Clip leverage AI to repurpose lengthy videos into engaging reels with a simple click, adding a dynamic element to book promotion.

In summary, Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the way books are created and published. It’s making things easier and more efficient for authors to produce high-quality content and marketing content that can reach a global audience. 

To learn more about self-publishing your book register for my free, live masterclass. Get your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Keep Your KDP Account Safe

Keep Your KDP Account Safe

 

Oftentimes I hear of authors having their Amazon KDP accounts suspended or banned. This is a serious problem which can fill any author with dread and if it happens to you it can be devastating. Keep your KDP account safe and abide by the rules.

You don’t want to fall into the trap of having your account suspended or terminated, do you?

Positive customer experience

positive customer experience

Your goal is to create a positive customer experience. Ensure your book content doesn’t mislead customers.

When KDP suspends an account they may have identified a possible violation of Amazon’s terms of service. 

Suspension and termination

According to Kindlepreneur a suspension is far less serious than a termination. With a suspension, there is a good chance that the author’s account can be reinstated.  

How do you know if you have a problem? You will find out when you try to log into your account, or else you will receive an email from KDP.

Tips for keeping your account safe

Here are 9 tips on how to keep your account safe so let’s look at some common reasons for getting your account suspended or terminated.

1. Duplicate content

Duplicate content.  This often happens with no or low-content books such as puzzle books, colouring books, and line journals. Non-fiction books can have a problem if the content consists of PLR or royalty-free content. 

Also, it can apply to templates. If you use the same template over and over again you will need to modify it, change it, and make it unique.

When republishing a book there is a proper process for doing this.  Usually, you would need to significantly change the content of the book.  Simply unpublishing and then republishing the exact same book is against KDP’s Terms and Conditions so it’s a good idea to chat with KDP Support and seek advice on how best to do this.

2. Plagiarism and violation of copyright

 

copyrightYou cannot use someone’s intellectual property without acknowledging the source; you need to create original material. Obviously, it is not only against Amazon’s policies, but it is also illegal to use another person’s copyrighted material in your work. This includes copyrighted images, text, images of public figures without their permission, etc.

3. Keyword stuffing

Be wary of keyword stuffing. This is when you put many keywords separated by commas into a title or sub-title.  The end result is a title that looks messy and cumbersome.

4. Multiple accounts 

Having multiple accounts under one entity is a “No, No”. This means you cannot have multiple accounts as an individual.

5. Ripping off a successful book

If attempting to model a book on a successful book be careful. A design could be too similar, a title could be too close to an existing one like  Rich Father Poor Father (from Rich Dad Poor Dad), or making your author name a slight variation of someone famous like Steven King (Stephen King).

6. Metadata manipulation

An example of metadata manipulation is putting your book into irrelevant categories to get a Best Seller Badge.

7. Reviews

There is an accepted method for getting customer reviews so if you do things like organising fake reviews this can get you into trouble.

8. Trademark violations 

Trademark violations are something to avoid. Don’t use names like Disney, or Pokemon and if in doubt check for Trademarks.   

Do your best to abide by Amazon’s Terms and Conditions and keep your account safe. A word of advice: avoid putting all your eggs into one basket. Diversify your publishing efforts so if something adverse happens and you can no longer publish on Amazon publish and market your books on other platforms such as IngramSpark.

Learn more about self-publishing on Amazon and IngramSpark and discover my system for self-publishing. Register for my free, live masterclass and secure your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

 Market Your Book Before Publication

Market Your Book Before Publication

sell to bookstores

 

Don’t wait until your book is published to market it. Market your book before publication and start this action before you even put pen to paper.

Promoting your book before its release is crucial for building anticipation and generating interest among potential readers. 

Here are 6 marketing tips for creating a groundswell of interest in your book.

1. Validate your idea

If you want to make sales the very first thing to do is validate your idea. Are you planning to write on a topic that will interest readers and more specifically interest your target audience sufficiently so that readers will want to buy?

 2. Plant the seed

 

incomeIn the early stages of writing your book start planting the seed. Let people know about your forthcoming publication. Share your writing journey, insights, and updates about what you are doing.

Establish a strong online identity by building your author platform. An author platform is your presence as an author both in the internet space and away from the internet. It’s about your name, your reputation, your brand, and the connections that you have.

Set up an author website. Write blog posts and create promotional material about your book and yourself as the author.

Be active on social media. Promote yourself and information about your book on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok and LinkedIn. Connect with potential readers.

Consider setting up a YouTube channel and maybe even get into podcasting.

Create a mailing list. Start building an email list of interested readers who want to be notified when your book is released.

Have a lead magnet on your website. This is an incentive to attract subscribers.

3. Book cover

A stunning and compelling book cover will grab a reader’s attention. It needs to communicate the essence of what your book is about.

Part of the book cover design is the book’s back cover, which contains the author’s photograph and blurb about the book. A blurb must pique curiosity and inspire a potential reader to want more.

4. Metadata

Something that can easily be overlooked is the importance of your book’s metadata for promoting your book prior to publication.

When listing your book on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), for example, you need to do considerable research to choose the best title and sub-title for your book, select the 3 most appropriate categories, and come up with seven keywords for the keyword slots.

In addition, craft a book description that’s going to sell your book.

All of this information is metadata. 

 

5. Networking

team of professionals

Make connections with other authors in the publishing industry. Join writer’s groups, attend book festivals and conferences, and participate in online author communities to share experiences and learn from others.

 

6. Advanced Review Copies (ARCs)

Prior to the release of your book establish a launch team. This a group of people who would be happy to read your book before it is published and when it is published they submit a review. 

About two weeks before publication provide your launch team with Advanced Review Copies (ARCs). This group of people are the select few who would love to read your book, and who might want to recommend it to others.

Provide them with free digital copies of your book.

As soon as your book is published notify the launch team members so that they can then submit their customer reviews.

Another method of getting reviews is to collect Editorial Reviews. On your Amazon Author Page, you can add these reviews or use them as endorsements for promotional publicity.

Reviews from experts on a subject, reviews from librarians, or reviews from influencers can be a huge boost to your credibility.

Start to promote your book early so don’t hold back on building a marketing strategy prior to your book’s publication. It’s in this early phase that you can build a groundswell and inform people about what you are doing.

To learn more about self-publishing and marketing your book register for my free, live masterclass. Get your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

Changes with Amazon’s KDP

Changes with Amazon’s KDP

In recent months there have been a number of changes with Amazon’s KDP which affect the way you publish your book on the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform.

These changes have to do with

  • Increased publishing costs
  • Categories
  • AI disclosure, and
  • Limiting the number of books you can publish in a day.

Increased publishing costs 

Publishing costsPublishing on Amazon is free. There is no cost to joining Amazon and there are no up-front fees when publishing your book.

But when Amazon publishes your book there has been an increased cost to the publishing process which means when you sell your book you will either have to accept lower royalties or you will need to increase the price of your book.

Categories

At the end of May 2023, Amazon’s KDP made a change to the way you selected categories.

What are categories? Categories are the sections of the Amazon website just like when you go into a bookshop you see the sections of the bookstore where customers can go to find a book. For example: fiction, history, cooking, reference, adventure, and children’s books.

Categories are the big broad terms that describe your book. If you put it in the wrong section readers won’t be able to find your book; in which case you won’t make a sale.

Categories help readers find your book on Amazon, they help to make sales and help your book become a Best Seller.

In the past when listing your book you selected just 2 categories. These were 2 BISAC categories. But then once your book was published you could write to KDP Support and request your book be put into 10 categories.  

Now you select 3 categories and not 10. This change has made it easier for self-publishers as you just have to do the research for 3 categories and not have to do all the painstaking research to find the best 10.

Dave Chesson, a self-publishing expert, highlights the point that you must select keywords that reinforce the categories you pick in KDP and that you need to make sure that you’re selecting the right categories to start with.

To assist self-publishers he developed the Publisher Rocket software that helps you to see which keywords and categories are the best for your book, so you can rank higher and get more people to see your book.

AI disclosure

Artificial intelligence

The other major change when publishing on Amazon’z KDP is that you must declare if you’ve used artificial intelligence in your books and this applies to both text and illustrations.

Given the huge impact of AI in the publishing world Amazon is making authors declare if the text, images, or translations have been generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This applies to new books and to existing books that are being republished.

Limiting the number of books per day

Amazon has created a new rule limiting the number of books authors can self-publish on its site to three a day. This three-book limit announcement came shortly after the AI-generated announcement.

This is a good move to put off those spamming the system.

With the popularity of publishing low-content books with some authors publishing numerous books in the space of one day (even as many as 100 books), Amazon has tightened this up with the rule of only 3 per day.

Remember, that with the Amazon business model of book publishing

  • you can get started for free
  • there is no cost to publishing
  • storage fees are non-existent, and you
  • don’t have to worry yourself with customer service

Amazon’s KDP business model is a business about lifestyle. It will attract those who want to work from home or travel wherever they want.

To learn more about self-publishing and The Self-Publishing Genius register for my free, live masterclass. Get your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

Register Now

 

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

The Use of Artificial Intelligence on Amazon

The Use of Artificial Intelligence on Amazon

 

Artificial intelligence

 

In recent months Amazon has been inundated with books that have been created using AI-generated content. As a result of this Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) announced that all account holders must declare the use of artificial intelligence on Amazon. 

New content guidelines

When listing your book for publication on KDP be aware of the new content guidelines.

This is a MASSIVE change to the publishing process. 

When you list your book on KDP there is a section devoted to artificial intelligence. You must declare if you’ve used artificial intelligence to generate your content.

In Amazon’s KDP Forum, they state:

We are actively monitoring the rapid evolution of generative AI and the impact it is having on reading, writing, and publishing, and we remain committed to providing the best possible shopping, reading, and publishing experience for our authors and customers. To that end, beginning today, when you publish a new title or make edits to and re-publish an existing title through KDP, you will be asked whether your content is AI-generated.

Artificial intelligence

AI-generated content

Amazon says that you need to declare if the text, images, or translations have been generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This applies to new books and to existing books that are being republished.

Amazon says it includes AI-generated images for the cover and interior images and artwork. 

AI-assisted content

But with AI-assisted content the situation is different.

If you created the content yourself and used AI-based tools to edit and refine  your manuscript then it is considered “AI-assisted” and not “AI-generated.”

Similarly, if you used an AI-based tool to brainstorm and generate ideas, but ultimately created the text or images yourself, this is also considered “AI-assisted” and not “AI-generated.” It is not necessary to inform Amazon of the use of such tools or processes.

Amazon states that you are responsible for verifying that all AI-generated and/or AI-assisted content adheres to the content guidelines.

KDP Content Guidelines

As always, whether publishers make use of AI technologies or not, all books in the Amazon store must adhere to their KDP Content Guidelines.This includes the requirement that you accurately inform them when content is AI-generated.

Self-publishing expert, Dale Roberts, believes this new directive is probably a PR move by Amazon since so much AI content has been hitting the market and a lot of it is considered “garbage”.

Full disclosure

So Amazon wants full disclosure. For instance, in the drop-down boxes you have to indicate the degree to which you have used AI.

There is currently a vigorous debate going on as to whether this directive is a positive move or a negative one.

But it is creating transparency between the publisher and the marketplace and is getting the author to be truthful.

The bottom line is that AI can be great for providing assistance to authors. It can help with the self-publishing process such as with editing, grammar, and refining the text.

While AI can be leveraged to assist you, it may be prudent to exercise caution if using it to generate content.

To learn more about self-publishing your book register for my free, online, live class. Get your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

Register Now

 

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

 

 

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Business Model

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Business Model

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) business model allows authors to reach a global audience. 

Authors can publish their books in digital format (Kindle eBooks) and with the KDP print-on-demand technology they can produce paperback and hardcover books. With Amazon, it is also possible to publish audiobooks through services like Audible. 

The KDP interface is straightforward and user-friendly making it easy for authors to format and upload their books to the publishing platform.

9 Benefits

The digital aspect of Amazon publishing is an appealing business model. Here are nine benefits:

  • You can work from anywhere in the world and travel at the same time so long as you have an internet connection
  • You can earn a passive income
  • There is no need to hold inventory
  • There is no need to physically ship books to customers
  • You do not have to worry about customer service
  • The entire business model is online
  • Profit margins are high and you can earn up to 70% in royalties
  • There are no start-up costs. You publish your book for free and then you earn royalties based on sales
  • You control the pricing of your book.  

Paperbacks

Print on demand

In addition to publishing digital products KDP provides a print-on-demand service. Copies of books are printed as they are ordered so you don’t need to invest in large print runs and hold inventory.  

Authors can upload their print book files, set the pricing, and make their books available in all the various Amazon marketplaces around the world.

Reviews

When starting out with Amazon sales may be slow but as you get reviews you are likely to get more sales. And more sales can mean more reviews. 

Positive reviews can significantly enhance your book’s credibility and visibility, potentially leading to more sales. 

There are many benefits to publishing on Amazon but while there are many benefits, competition in such a giant marketplace can be fierce.

Authors must develop an effective marketing strategy in addition to just publishing on the platform. 

The Amazon KDP business model is second to none and will appeal to many who desire a lifestyle of freedom in which you can work from home or travel the world.

To learn more about self-publishing your book register for my free, live class. Get your ticket now by clicking the green button below.

Register Now

 

Marji Hill

Author and Coach

 

How To Write A Book In 30 Days

How To Write A Book In 30 Days

Writing a book within a month’s timeframe is a challenging but achievable goal. Here are some tips on how to write a book in 30 days but it will take strict time management and a lot of discipline.

Research

Do your research before taking on the 30-day challenge. Have your research information at your finger tips.

As you do your research take note of your source material and document this. You will need to acknowledge the sources and then list them in your Bibliography at the end of your manuscript. 

If your book requires further research, set aside a specific time to do this. Avoid getting caught up in excessive research during your actual writing sessions.

Word count

Decide on the total word count for your book. Then work out how many words you need to write each day.

Make a decision on how long your book is going to be. If crafting a book for the first time consider writing a straightforward, short book. It could be just 10,000 words.

If typically a non-fiction book is 60,000 to 80,000 words and you want to write a book in 30 days then make it a short book.

An A4 page can easily fit 200 words so a 10,000-word book is 50 pages.

But if you factor in the size of the font, the physical size of the book – the trim size – adding illustrative matter, and the book’s layout it is possible that a 10,000-word book can be as long as 100 pages.

Set milestones

Decide when you plan to complete your manuscript and make a commitment to have it finished within a 30-day timeframe.

To help you reach that deadline decide the length of your book and then a daily word count. It could be 500 or 1000 words a day.

For a 10,000 word manuscript if you produced 500 words a day your first draft could be completed in 20 days. By increasing your daily word count to 1000 words your first draft would be done in much less time.

Outline

Preparing book for publication

A non-fiction book consists of an introduction, a number of chapters and a conclusion, so create an outline for your book. 

Create chapter headings. Think in terms of 10 chapter headings and allow 1000 words for each chapter. Break the manuscript down into even smaller units with sub-headings under each chapter heading.

Once you have a rough outline, set out the book’s content in the form of bullet points. Estimate the number of words you will need for each bullet point. 

So if you have 5 sub-headings in the form of bullet points each sub-heading could be 200 words. That will give you a 1000-word chapter.

Spend time outlining the content of your book. This will give you a clear structure and a direction to follow during the writing process. 

Writing Schedule 

Establish a daily writing schedule.  Decide the best time of day for you to write and stick to that time.

Consistency is key to completing your book on time so aim to write your quota of words each day. If you write approximately 1000 to 1500 words a day you should complete a first draft within a couple of weeks.

When I’m writing a book I write every morning seven days a week. Each writing session is about 3 hours and I do this each day before breakfast.

It is simply amazing how if you consistently do a quota of writing each day, how you can move forward exponentially. My daily word count goal was approximately 1500 words.

Writing

Once the planning has been done start writing the first draft. This first draft can be very rough.  

Embrace imperfection. Give yourself permission to write badly and trust that you can refine your work later. Refrain from editing your writing; that comes later.

Consider doing timed writing sprints. Set up a timer for a specific amount of time. This could be  25 minutes. Write as much as you can during that time and take short breaks between each sprint to recharge.

Minimise distractions. Put your phone away, and focus solely on your writing during your scheduled writing times. 

Writing

Next draft

Once you’ve created that first very rough draft plan some time for editing, revising, and refining your manuscript. You have a couple of weeks to do this.

Writing a book in 30 days is an ambitious endeavour, so be kind to yourself and celebrate your progress along the way. 

The key is to stay focused, motivated and committed to the process.  

By maintaining a strict schedule there is then time each month for the rewriting and reworking of the manuscript.

These steps may seem very mechanical, even mathematical, but as an author who has produced many non-fiction books I find it an excellent method to achieve productivity. It is far less overwhelming to do your planning and then chunk the contents of your manuscript down into small bits.

Will this method work perfectly for you? Maybe, maybe not? 

The important take on this is to have a plan of action that will help you focus and provide you with direction. 

Sure, you may not be perfect and you may deviate at times from the plan. But this gives you a course to follow, and like a sailing boat, the sails can always be adjusted.

To learn more about writing and publishing your book access my free, live class. Get your free ticket by clicking the green button below.

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Marji Hill

Author and Coach

 

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