Do you think you have the next New York Times bestseller or Oprah Book Club pick, but don’t know how to write it?
Do you think you have the next New York Times bestseller or Oprah Book Club pick, but don’t know how to write it?
If you’re in any of these situations, you need to understand how to go about writing a book and all the options available to you. You have many choices. The key is to find the right one for you. Take time to think about them and don't rush into anything. Most will require a written agreement or binding contract. Make sure you know the terms.
Below are the most common options in how to write a book:
Write it and publish it yourself:
I always advise people who believe they have a good story to ask themselves WHY they want to see it in print. If it's just for family members to read--like a memoir or family cookbook--they should write it and self-publish by finding a print shop. No copies would be sold in stores. It's usually a one-time thing. And you'd have your book. This is great for someone who has not written a publishable work before.
Write it yourself and find a major publisher:
If you haven't written a publishable work before and you're expecting to write a book that will sell in stores, then you have to learn how to write and the business of writing, publishing and marketing your book. This usually means taking courses in your local college or online, having your work critiqued and finding an editor who will work with you. There's a lot of work involved in writing a book. And even more work in learning how to query publishers and agents and in marketing it afterward. Books are only as good as the customers who read them.
Co-writing:
If you believe your story is a unique one, with a great hook that will capture a large audience, you might want to consider co-writing it with someone. In this case you would usually co-write it with an experienced writer. Their name would go first on the book cover, then yours. They usually get a larger percent of royalties and handle all finances. In effect, they control the project and they have final say in all aspects, including story content. They would have final say on title and content. Expenses are split 50/50, so you would need to have accessible money on hand to invest in this. Even if you were lucky to find a big publisher to take this work, you would still spend a few thousand dollars in the first year. You would also be expected to attend book signings with your co-writer and be available for interviews. And you'd be expected to do half of all marketing, whether it's blogging, phoning bookstores, libraries, schools etc or anything else. A contract between you is a MUST, even if it's a friend.
Hire a ghostwriter:
This is another option. It gives you more control of the project and you handle finances. You would hire someone else to ghostwrite the story. This means they would write it, after many interviews with you, the way you want it. They'll offer suggestions but generally the story is yours. Your name and only yours is listed as author. No one else will know that you haven't written it yourself. Many celebrities do this. You would pay a ghostwriter to write your story. Ghostwriters are not cheap. You'll pay anywhere from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00, depending on length of book and difficulty of project. Most often payment is in stages. 1/3 upfront, 1/3 halfway and 1/3 upon completion, as an example. Some will charge a lesser fee for a percent of the royalties. A contract is a definite MUST.
Allow an experienced writer write it:
If you can find a writer with the time and interest in your project, the other thing you can do is 'give' them the project. You would be the source of the story, the person they would interview. But they would control the story. You can specify in your contract that the story is to be non-fiction, creative non-fiction or fiction. The writer will have his name on the book. He will own the book. He would promote it, do all interviews and media appearances. It becomes his story. Payment for this can vary. You could have the writer pay upfront for the story...a few thousand dollars for most life experience stories. Or you could ask for a percentage of the royalties. The writer would be taking all the time to write, query and market, and he'd be responsible for all expenses. Royalty percentages differ from writer to writer. You could receive anywhere from 5% to 25% of the royalties.
Contracts like the ones above are negotiable and you should always have an entertainment/contract lawyer look over all legal documents before you sign it. Writing and having a book published is a business and in order to be successful you must always remember to treat it that way. Writing the book is only a small part of the big picture. Learning the business and how to market your book is the biggest challenge.
©2008 Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Do you think you have the next New York Times bestseller or Oprah Book Club pick but dont know how to write it - To learn more about this author, visit Cheryl Kaye Tardif's Website.
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There are thousands of wannabe writers out there. Some have technical skill and natural talent; some have skill only and some just can’t get a grasp on the writing basics. Yet all have a story they desperately want to tell. As a bestselling published author, I get emails every month from people who want me to write a book with them, for them or want to know how to do it.
If you’re in any of these situations, you need to understand how to go about writing a book and all the options available to you. You have many choices. The key is to find the right one for you. Take time to think about them and don't rush into anything. Most will require a written agreement or binding contract. Make sure you know the terms.
Below are the most common options in how to write a book:
Write it and publish it yourself:
I always advise people who believe they have a good story to ask themselves WHY they want to see it in print. If it's just for family members to read--like a memoir or family cookbook--they should write it and self-publish by finding a print shop. No copies would be sold in stores. It's usually a one-time thing. And you'd have your book. This is great for someone who has not written a publishable work before.
Write it yourself and find a major publisher:
If you haven't written a publishable work before and you're expecting to write a book that will sell in stores, then you have to learn how to write and the business of writing, publishing and marketing your book. This usually means taking courses in your local college or online, having your work critiqued and finding an editor who will work with you. There's a lot of work involved in writing a book. And even more work in learning how to query publishers and agents and in marketing it afterward. Books are only as good as the customers who read them.
Co-writing:
If you believe your story is a unique one, with a great hook that will capture a large audience, you might want to consider co-writing it with someone. In this case you would usually co-write it with an experienced writer. Their name would go first on the book cover, then yours. They usually get a larger percent of royalties and handle all finances. In effect, they control the project and they have final say in all aspects, including story content. They would have final say on title and content. Expenses are split 50/50, so you would need to have accessible money on hand to invest in this. Even if you were lucky to find a big publisher to take this work, you would still spend a few thousand dollars in the first year. You would also be expected to attend book signings with your co-writer and be available for interviews. And you'd be expected to do half of all marketing, whether it's blogging, phoning bookstores, libraries, schools etc or anything else. A contract between you is a MUST, even if it's a friend.
Hire a ghostwriter:
This is another option. It gives you more control of the project and you handle finances. You would hire someone else to ghostwrite the story. This means they would write it, after many interviews with you, the way you want it. They'll offer suggestions but generally the story is yours. Your name and only yours is listed as author. No one else will know that you haven't written it yourself. Many celebrities do this. You would pay a ghostwriter to write your story. Ghostwriters are not cheap. You'll pay anywhere from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00, depending on length of book and difficulty of project. Most often payment is in stages. 1/3 upfront, 1/3 halfway and 1/3 upon completion, as an example. Some will charge a lesser fee for a percent of the royalties. A contract is a definite MUST.
Allow an experienced writer write it:
If you can find a writer with the time and interest in your project, the other thing you can do is 'give' them the project. You would be the source of the story, the person they would interview. But they would control the story. You can specify in your contract that the story is to be non-fiction, creative non-fiction or fiction. The writer will have his name on the book. He will own the book. He would promote it, do all interviews and media appearances. It becomes his story. Payment for this can vary. You could have the writer pay upfront for the story...a few thousand dollars for most life experience stories. Or you could ask for a percentage of the royalties. The writer would be taking all the time to write, query and market, and he'd be responsible for all expenses. Royalty percentages differ from writer to writer. You could receive anywhere from 5% to 25% of the royalties.
Contracts like the ones above are negotiable and you should always have an entertainment/contract lawyer look over all legal documents before you sign it. Writing and having a book published is a business and in order to be successful you must always remember to treat it that way. Writing the book is only a small part of the big picture. Learning the business and how to market your book is the biggest challenge.
©2008 Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Do you think you have the next New York Times bestseller or Oprah Book Club pick but dont know how to write it - To learn more about this author, visit Cheryl Kaye Tardif's Website.
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
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