5 Steps to Getting Your Book Published Successfully
Have you always dreamed of becoming a published author?
Writing a book is a dream for many people, but getting it published can seem like an insurmountable task. Fortunately, there are many options available to aspiring authors that make the process of getting a book published much easier than it used to be. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different ways you can get your book published, as well as some tips for making sure your book stands out from the crowd. So, let's get started on your journey to becoming a published author!
1. Write a compelling book.
The first step to getting your book published successfully, whichever route you choose, is to write a compelling book. This means creating a story or message that captivates your readers and keeps them engaged from beginning to end. Take the time to develop your characters, plot, and themes for fiction or make up and flow for non-fiction and make sure your writing is clear, concise, and well-structured.
A compelling book starts with an attention-grabbing title. Your title should be catchy enough that readers will be intrigued by what your book has to offer. Next comes the cover, a good cover design will help draw readers in and make them more likely to pick up your book off the shelf or click on it online. Make sure it is a design that stands out on bookshelves in your genre as well as being eye-catching in a small thumbnail online where small details can’t be seen.
Consider getting feedback from beta readers or a writing group like my Aspiring Authors Community to help you refine your work. Remember, the better your book is, the more likely it is to get noticed by publishers and readers alike.
Take the time to develop your characters, plot, themes, make up and flow.
2. Edit and revise your manuscript.
Once you have completed your manuscript, it’s important to edit and revise it thoroughly. This means checking for spelling and grammar errors, as well as ensuring that your writing is clear and concise. You may also want to consider hiring a professional editor to help you refine your work. Remember, the editing process is just as important as the writing process and can make the difference between a good book and a great one. Take the time to polish your manuscript before submitting it to publishers or self-publishing.
Before approaching a professional editor, you can make a start yourself with tools like Grammarly or Hemmingway.
I have the Chrome extension for Grammarly installed on my Mac so that it highlights suggestions and errors as I write. I’d advise ignoring any big edits until you’ve written the majority of your work, otherwise, it will feel like you’re not making progress.
One of the things I like about Hemmingway is the readability grade it gives you, this is linked to the school grade level of education of your readers. For most books, you want to keep between grades 5-8. Anything above 10 isn’t great. Obviously, if your books are aimed at young children, you probably want to keep it as low as possible.
Check your manuscript for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and concise.
3. Research and choose the right publishing option.
Before you can successfully publish your book, you need to decide which publishing option is right for you. Whichever you choose, you will be responsible for marketing your book.
3.1 The Traditional Publishing Route
The traditional publishing route is a common way to get your book published. This involves submitting your manuscript to publishers and agents who will then decide if they want to take on your project. The process can be long and arduous, you work to the publisher’s time scale and they dictate design and editing choices, but if you have a great idea and are willing to put in the work, it can be worth it in the end.
3.2 Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is becoming increasingly popular for authors who want to take control of their own destinies. With self-publishing, you have complete control over the entire process from start to finish. You’ll need to invest in editing services, cover design and book formatting, but you’ll also have more freedom when it comes to pricing, distribution and your timeline for publishing.
3.3 Hybrid Publishing
Hybrid publishing is a combination of traditional publishing and self-publishing that gives authors more control over their projects while still offering some of the benefits of traditional publishing such as access to distribution channels and editorial support. Hybrid publishers typically offer services such as editing, cover design and book formatting support and can help authors get their books into readers’ hands faster than they could on their own.
Do your research and choose the option that best fits your goals and budget. If you’re interested in getting help with self-publishing or hybrid publishing then book a call and I can help you get started.
Research and choose the publishing option that best fits your goals and budget.
4. Create a professional book proposal.
If you're pursuing traditional publishing, creating a professional book proposal is essential. This document should include a summary of your book, information about your target audience, a marketing plan, and a brief author bio. It's important to research the submission guidelines for each publishing house you're interested in and tailor your proposal accordingly. A well-crafted book proposal can make all the difference in catching the attention of a publisher and securing a book deal.
Even if you’re not considering a traditional publishing route, the process of writing a book proposal can be beneficial. It will help you to bring all of your information and thoughts about your book and you as an author into one place and that will make marketing your book much easier.
5. Build your author platform.
Building your author platform is an important step in getting your book published successfully. This means establishing a presence and following on social media, creating a website, blog or podcast, and networking with other authors and industry professionals. Connecting with other authors in your genre can help give you insight into what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to promoting books online or at events like conventions or conferences.
6 Book Writing Tips for an Aspiring Author
Writing a book can be intimidating, but with the right tips and strategies, it can be a rewarding experience. Here are six book writing tips for aspiring authors that will help you get started on your journey to becoming a published author.
1. Create an Outline
Creating an outline is one of the most important steps in writing a book. An outline will help you organise your thoughts and keep you focused on the main points you want to include whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. It will also help you plan out the structure of your book and make sure that all of the pieces fit together logically. Take some time to brainstorm ideas and create an outline before you start writing your book. Don’t worry too much if this changes throughout your writing journey. You will likely find that other things come to mind as you write. Revisit your outline when those moments arise and decide whether anything needs adapting/adding or indeed removing.
An outline helps you plan out the structure of your book and make sure that all of the pieces fit together logically.
2. Set Writing Goals
Setting writing goals is essential for staying motivated and on track when writing a book. Make sure to set realistic goals that are achievable within a certain timeframe, such as writing 500 words per day or completing one chapter per week. Having specific goals will help keep you focused and ensure that you stay on track with your project. I also highlight this in last week’s blog when trying to create a writing habit.
Write for yourself first, then write for others. Start by writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. It will feel less intimidating to then start writing your book. It may also help to keep journaling throughout your book writing to help ensure you don’t get overwhelmed by the process.
Set realistic goals that are achievable within a certain timeframe.
3. Read Books in Your Genre
Reading books in the same genre as yours can be highly beneficial for aspiring authors. Not only will it give you insight into what works well in that genre, but it can also provide inspiration for your own work and give you ideas for how to structure your story or develop characters more effectively. While reading is often better than listening to audiobooks, do what’s right for you. If audio is how you consume your books, stick with it but dip into a hard copy every now and again.
It also doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read books in other genres. It’s important that you maintain your love of books, so ensure you still read/ listen for pleasure as well as to aid your book writing.
Read for pleasure, as well as to get inspiration for your own book writing.
4. Take Breaks
Taking regular breaks while writing is important for maintaining focus and avoiding burnout when working on long projects like books. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day so that your mind has time to rest and recharge before getting back to work on your project later in the day or week. Have you used the Pomodoro technique before? I find it’s quite effective and discuss it in Becoming the GOAT* as a study strategy. It works effectively when trying to complete long tasks as you essentially break them up into more manageable chunks.
Pomodoro Technique:
- Set your task.
- Choose the chunks of time you want to work in (usually 15–25-minute blocks).
- Set an alarm for the end of the block.
- Take a 5-minute break, walk around, grab a drink, or look out of the window.
- After 4 work intervals, take a longer 15–30-minute break.
- Repeat until the task is complete.
There are loads of Pomodoro timers online that you can set for the time intervals you choose. If you have Alexa or Siri, they can also help you out. If you tell Alexa how much time you have, she sorts out the time chunks for you!
Try the Pomodoro technique.
5. Get Feedback From Others
Getting feedback from others while working on your book can be incredibly helpful in improving its quality before submitting it for publication or self-publishing it online. Ask friends, family members, or other authors in the same genre as yours to read through drafts of chapters or sections of your book so they can provide constructive feedback about what works well and what could use improvement before publishing it publicly yourself later on down the line. If you have already identified your target reader, then you could always use them as beta readers for feedback.
Remember, whoever you choose, it is their opinion and you do not have to take it on board. It is more beneficial if the feedback is from someone from your target audience rather than a friend as ultimately, they’re the people who you want to read it.
Ask friends, family members, or other authors in the same genre as yours for constructive feedback.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Changes
Finally, don’t be afraid to make changes throughout the process of writing your book if something isn’t working out quite right or if something needs improvement after getting feedback from others who have read through drafts of chapters or sections of it already. Making changes throughout the process is normal and expected when writing books, so don’t be afraid to go back over things multiple times until they are just right before submitting them later down the line.
With that in mind, don’t keep changing for changing’s sake. You could spend weeks or months trying to perfect your work even though it is fine just as it is. You need to know when to stop and say this is good enough.
If you’re looking for help getting started as an aspiring author or with publishing, then book a strategy call with me to see how I can help.
The Power of a Writing Habit: 8 Tips and Tricks to Get Started
Developing a writing habit can be a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. Writing is an essential skill that can help you express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly and concisely. It’s also a great way to organise your thoughts and communicate with others. Whether you're a professional writer or just starting out, consistent practice is vital to honing your craft. But why is it so important to develop a writing habit? In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of a writing habit for both personal and professional development and provide tips for establishing one that works for you.
1. Developing Writing Skills
One of the most obvious benefits of developing a writing habit is that it helps you hone your writing skills. Writing regularly allows you to practice your craft and become more proficient in expressing yourself through words. You can also learn how to structure your sentences better, use more descriptive language, and improve your grammar. As you continue to write, you’ll be able to create more compelling stories or arguments that will be easier for your readers to understand.
2. Organising Thoughts
Writing regularly can also help you organise your thoughts more effectively. Writing down your ideas allows you to sort through them and prioritise which ones are most important or relevant to your current writing project. This makes it easier for you to make decisions or come up with solutions since you’ll have all the necessary information laid out in front of you. Additionally, having a writing habit helps you keep track of any progress that you make on projects or goals since you can easily refer back to what you wrote down earlier.
3. Boosting Creativity
Having a regular writing habit can help boost creativity by giving you an outlet for exploring new ideas or concepts without worrying about judgment from others. When you write down your thoughts without fear of criticism, it allows you to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions that may not have occurred otherwise. Additionally, having a regular writing habit encourages creative thinking by allowing you time each day or week dedicated solely towards brainstorming new ideas or exploring different perspectives on topics that interest you. Whether it’s something to work into your current book or a future one, it’s not possible to have too many ideas. By writing them down you ensure they are not forgotten about.
A regular writing habit encourages creative thinking by allowing you time dedicated solely towards brainstorming or exploring different perspectives.
4. Set a writing goal and schedule
One of the most important steps in developing a writing habit is setting a goal and schedule for yourself. This could be a daily or weekly word count, a certain amount of time spent writing each day or week, or a specific project deadline. Whatever your goal may be, make sure it's realistic and achievable. Then, create a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Consistency is key when it comes to developing a writing habit. As well as setting your schedule, it’s handy to have an accountability buddy who will help ensure you stick to your planned schedule. While I was writing Becoming the GOAT*, I used an accountability buddy. I had to check in each week with my word count. If I hadn’t made it I had to pay £5. I kept my end of the deal every week.
Set realistic and achievable goals, and be consistent in achieving them.
5. Create a designated writing space
Having a designated writing space can help you get into the right mindset for writing and minimise distractions. This could be a separate room in your home, a corner of your bedroom, or even just a specific desk or table. Make sure your writing space is comfortable and conducive to creativity, with good lighting and minimal clutter. It often helps to have a separate space from where you complete admin tasks, even if it’s your local coffee shop. When you sit down in your designated writing space, your brain will start to associate that area with writing, making it easier to get into the writing mindset.
Having a designated writing space can help you get into the right mindset for writing.
6. Eliminate distractions
One of the biggest obstacles to developing a consistent writing habit is distractions. Whether it's social media notifications, household chores, or other responsibilities, distractions can quickly derail your writing progress. To eliminate distractions, try turning off your phone or putting it on silent, closing unnecessary tabs on your computer, and setting specific times for household tasks and other responsibilities. You can also try using noise-cancelling headphones or playing background music to help you focus. By eliminating distractions, you'll be able to focus more fully on your writing and develop a more consistent writing habit.
Having a designated writing space can help you get into the right mindset for writing.
7. Use prompts or exercises to get started
Sometimes the hardest part of writing is simply getting started. If you're struggling to come up with ideas or find inspiration, try using prompts or exercises to jumpstart your creativity. There are many resources available online, such as writing prompt generators or creative writing exercises. I recently shared a post about using AI as a tool to generate ideas and overcome writer’s block. You can also try setting a timer for a short period of time, such as 10 or 15 minutes, and writing whatever comes to mind during that time. The goal is to get your creative juices flowing and start building momentum with your writing habit. I’m sure that after those first 10 or 15 minutes you’ll be in the zone and want to write for longer.
8. Don't be too hard on yourself and celebrate small victories
Developing a writing habit takes time and effort, so it's important to be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. Maybe you wrote for 10 minutes longer than usual, or you finally finished that difficult paragraph you've been struggling with. Whatever it is, take a moment to acknowledge your progress and give yourself a pat on the back (or treat yourself to a chocolate bar! That can’t just be me, right?). This positive reinforcement can help motivate you to continue building your writing habit and improve your skills over time.
Take a moment to acknowledge your progress and give yourself a treat.
In conclusion, developing a regular writing habit has numerous benefits both personally and professionally such as improving communication skills, organising thoughts more effectively, honing writing skills, and boosting creativity. So if you want to take your personal growth or career development further, then consider making time each day or week dedicated to developing your writing habit!
If you’re looking for accountability and support to develop an effective writing habit then come and join like-minded authors on the Aspiring Author’s Programme.