How to Write a Book

There are many ways to approach writing a book, but there are five steps that MUST be taken to bring your vision for your book into a world that can distribute it. The steps are:

1. Research. You will need to research the type of book you want to write. Make sure that it is of interest to the type of culture that you want to explore. Your editor will want to know about culture and how you think the general public thinks of your subject matter. This information will be invaluable to the world of publishing, as many publishers focus on specific cultures that readers relate to.
2. Set up a meeting. This is a important step that many people skip. The meeting will serve as a vital tool in getting the book into the hands of the editors. Be prepared, and ask for help, especially from your mentor, if you feel that this would be helpful.
3. Edit. Be patient. This is a crucial step that can turn what seemed like doom into something totally different. Stop and think of what you will do with your book when it comes out, and decide how far you will go to get the job done. If you turn in a sloppy draft that doesn’t look professional, you won’t get the benefit of your hard work, and neither will anyone else.
4. Reignite the flame of creativity. It may be a feeling that you have had your fill of writing and now feel alone, but that is only a sign that you should once again consider writing. The creative aspect of this step is a rare occurrence, so the solitude you will create by not completing the assignment is well worth the peace you will receive in the end.
5. Submit your bio and brief summary of your area of expertise to the publishers. Be sure to include any writing samples that you have created. The editors will use these resources to see if you truly are the person for the job. They will look for your interests in the Craft and the passions that you have linked through the words in your bio. Your resume is your marketing tool; be sure to spend the time on it that you would like to be called.
6. Refine your pitch that is centered around the area that you would like to be explored. Use action words and industry keywords in describing what you have done, including figures, percentages, and dollar amounts. If you are a consultant, make sure that you change the wording around a little bit to be more relevant to the type of position you are seeking.
7. Use an appropriate cover letter to introduce yourself and pitch your qualifications to the particular position that you find yourself applied to. Use the provided references as well as the contact information for those references to help land letters of recommendation for your intensive job background.

If you have a great story to share, it is all too easy to get it all on paper. By taking the time to prepare your intensive job background, you will more likely than not be glad you did!