Getting Started in Book Publishing

First things first, before even thinking about writing a book, here are a few questions you should ponder and try your best to answer.



Why are you writing a book?

Do you write fiction or nonfiction or both? 


Are you a natural born storyteller, just making things up as you go along? Or do you prefer to tell the true stories as they really did happen?

Did something happen in your life that you need to tell about? 

Examples:

• Hurricane Tsunamis by Wanda A. Ramirez – her personal experience of going through two hurricanes, losing everything, and having to relocate her life.
  
  
• The Greatest Commandment by Terry Hatfield – Teaches us to love one another
  
  
• Date, Pray, Wait by Londa Hayden – teaches Godly principles for dating in an godless world
  
  
• Prevailing Prayer by Sharilynn Hunt – Prayer ministry to churches 

Who is your Audience? 


Adults, teens, children – don't say everyone. You have to focus in on a genre and a specific audience. This will let the publisher know who your target audience is in order to focus marketing efforts.

Usually your genre choice will determine this for you, but not necessarily. Examples: 

• The Twilight Saga Series is targeted for the YA market, but the women and chic lit markets picked up on it really quick and it went viral from there.
  
  
• The Hunger Games series is also a YA genre and market, but it has spread to a much broader audience.
  
  

Always write to your audience with your audience in mind. Make your main character the same age as your target audience so they can relate and have an emotional connection.


Why are you the one to tell this story?

• Are you the only one who can tell it as it really happened from your viewpoint.
• Are you an expert in a certain field of interest? Do you have a passion on a certain subject you have done intensive research on and just feel you have to share it with others? Such as: photography or care for the elderly
• Do you have a personal story you want to share with the world?
  
• Are you a storyteller, who wants to share a moral or teach others like Jesus did through parables? 
  
• What drives you to want to write?

Should you self-publish or submit to a traditional publishing houses? 


This is a very loaded question and one many authors struggle with today. Research is key and understanding how the publishing industry works will benefit your efforts. If you are seriously considering a traditional publishing house, then I strongly suggest you attend as many writing conferences as possible, talk and network with other published authors on social networks and in various writers groups. Networking is very important to help further your marketing efforts. And yes, you must still learn how to market your own books even if you are traditionally published. Although, most traditional publishers do offer some assistance in this area as it is within their own best interest as well. 

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