How a Book is Born: One Author's Story
Judy Cullins c. 2004
Not all books come out whole, all at once. In fact, most books
ease out little by little. They have strange and wondrous beginnings.
Some come from speeches, some come from articles or short stories.
Your book may evolve from a teleclass or coaching experience with
a client.
The saying goes if you write a page a day, at the end of a year
you'll have a book--a big book at that! But then, why think so big?
Twenty-five years ago, I gave Speedreading and Memory seminars.
I thought of myself as a teacher or trainer, not an author. After
joining Toastmasters and National Speakers Association, I learned
enough to strengthen my presentations to promote my personal growth
skills business.
My audiences from corporate and community education wanted handouts
to take home with them. Seeing a need I revised and edited my how-to
articles, then bundled them into short books. The articles came
from my talks, wide research, and my own experiences. I wrote the
books I needed and wanted to read. So can you! Check out your files
today, and see what undiscovered gems are there.
Only 10-60 pages long, these books were quick and easy to write.
I priced them for my health and personal growth audiences as well
as offering my proven consulting expertise to corporations.
Presenting 15 public seminars a month, these simple short books
sold well at the back of the room as well as leveraged higher priced
corporate training, all enough to make two-thirds my income for
the next 15 years.
The irony of this story is that I did write a long book--sort of.
At 160 pages, Passion at Any Age is complete, but my passion for
it has waned. Following the traditional route, I submitted a book
proposal to 30 agents. Five liked it, but their limited book tour
offers and knowing I'd still have to promote it myself, made me
think. Too much time and money down the drain unless I was already
famous. I ended up giving away a chapter at a time to my book clients
to inspire them. I also realized you can't market effectively more
than two or three products at a time.
Since my book writing, publishing and promotion knowledge made
me a savvy expert, I offer ten new eBooks on Book writing, Online
promotion, Web marketing and copywriting, and ePublishing as well
as one-on-one coaching and teleclasses, so clients can learn by
their preferred style.
Remember, your book is your business card and helps evolve your
business. Through writing a book, you not only help your audience
solve a particular challenge, you share with the world your unique
experience to make a difference in people's lives. Your book is
an extension of yourself, your skills, and your own style. It will
bring you consistent, monthly income as it does for me.
My 20 years research and weekly seminars on how to write a book
have come full circle. As a book coach, now, I encourage professionals
to write a book--just write a short book! Make it an eBook. Think
10-30 pages. You need to write your book and share your unique message,
but you also don't want to spend all of your time on it.
Begin your book today by writing an article that answers one of
your book audience's challenges or problems. You can then, string
several articles together. Include more stories, examples, how-to's
or exercises in your new book's chapter formats.
Before you know it, your book will grow. They always grow longer
than you think they will. You will have plenty of pages, and each
page will deliver practical, inspirational material to your new
clients and customers concisely and directly--the way they want
it.
Remember, Offline and Online potential book buyers want information.
But, they no longer want to read hundreds of pages. They don't want
to spend time reading a long book.
Will business people buy your book? Yes! They are hungry for information--information
that only you have and can say in your unique way. Will your book
sell? Yes! With just a few significances such as "presenting
useful, practical information," or "presenting material
that could change a life," or "creating a deeper understanding
of human nature," your book will be a great seller.
Feel the sense of completion by writing your book this year. Don't
worry about how long it is, its format, how much it will sell for.
Remember, like me, you can write your print and eBook at the same
time! And keep it going for your lifetime.
For more information about writing, books, and publishing click here.
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Book and Internet Marketing Coach, Judy Cullins, can help you build credibility and clients, sell a lot of books, and make maximum profits. Author of 11 books including Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast and The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic" Get her free eBook"20 High Octane Book Writing and Marketing Tips" and two free monthly ezines at http://www.bookcoaching.com
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