How a Book is Born: One Author's Story
How a Book is Born: One Author's Story Judy Cullins ©2005 All
Rights Reserved.
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.
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.
For added value, write a print and an eBook at the same time.
Just copy and paste information into 2 word files. Then change
the eBook to focus on fewer questions you answer. Omit some of
the stories and now you can market by speaking the print book,
and market the eBook Online through the 2 best partners -your
ezine and short articles submitted free to opt-in ezines.
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.
About the author:
Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works
with small business people who want to make a difference in
people's lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a
consistent life-long income. Author of Write Your eBook or Other
Short Book Fast and 10 others, she offers free help through her
2 monthly ezines, "The Book Coach Says. . .," and "Business Tip
of the Month." at www.bookcoaching.com. Email her at Ju
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