So You Want to Write a Book?
By Jill Koenig
Author, Coach and Motivational Speaker
According to a survey by USA Today and the Association of American Publishers, 82 percent of all Americans plan to write a book someday.
Just about everyone talks about writing the book, but very few have actually set a goal with an action plan and a deadline.
Perhaps this is because they don't know where to start. The fact is, there are many ways to write your book and make it available for purchase to the public.
You can self-publish, you can seek a traditional publisher and you can even create your own downloadable ebook. Each method has it's own advantages and disadvantages. We'll cover this in more detail in upcoming articles and podcasts.
The key is for you to pinpoint what you are trying to accomplish, and why. Why do you want to write a book? Once you have decided your outcome, and answered a few other crucial questions, you can then decide which approach is best for you.
Do you know the story behind Chicken Soup for the Soul?
Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield spent 3 years collecting uplifting stories from their peers. In 1992, they began sending their manuscript to publishers.
In the first 30 days, they received 33 rejections and THEIR OWN AGENT FIRED THEM.
All totaled, 140 publishers rejected the book.
Hansen and Canfield then went to a book publishing conference (now the BEA) and went booth to booth. They were turned down by another 134 publishers. They left a copy of their manuscript with a publisher who read it and agreed to publish it.
They were more than $ 140,000 in debt from their project.
They continued on long after most other people would have quit and given up.
What differentiates Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield from other authors?
Their GOALS. Their determination. Their persistence.
Here were their Goals for Chicken Soup:
1993: First Goal 1 1/2 million in 1 1/2 years
1995: 5 million original Chicken Soup
1996: 10 million books
2000: 50 million books
2020: 1 Billion books
Lofty goals for a book that they were told nobody wanted.
You must believe more in your vision than any rejection you encounter.
Hansen said, "Writers create babies called books and then orphan them."
Most people give up at the first sign of rejection.
"Focus more on your GOALS than your obstacles." -Jill Koenig
Hansen and Canfield had this advice after they continually succeeded in reaching their goals:
"Find great Mentors. Surround yourself with well chosen mentors and it will dramatically change your life!" Get a Coach.
That's great advice. A great coach can keep you focused on what you need to do to reach your goals.
The Chicken Soup series has sold more than 100 Million books and counting.
Most authors will tell you:
10% of the work is writing the book.
The other 90% of the work is marketing, promoting, selling and advertising.
So be prepared to keep working on your book by marketing it long after you have finished writing it. Wise authors can make more on licensing and other streams of income from their book besides royalties. But you've got to learn how to do it. You've got to set goals. You must create a plan and set aside the time for making it happen.
I interviewed Diane Eble, a highly sought after book coach and you can listen to Part 1 of the free podcast here:
http://www.GoalGuru.com/podcast
It has been reported that 6 million people have written a manuscript. Most manuscripts don't make it to print. So if you have a goal to bring your book to the market, I recommend you study the podcast and get started towards making your dream a reality.
I want to read your book.
I want you to share your gifts with the world.
If not now, then when?
Live Your Dreams,
Jill Koenig
Copyright 2006
Author, Coach and Motivational Speaker
According to a survey by USA Today and the Association of American Publishers, 82 percent of all Americans plan to write a book someday.
Just about everyone talks about writing the book, but very few have actually set a goal with an action plan and a deadline.
Perhaps this is because they don't know where to start. The fact is, there are many ways to write your book and make it available for purchase to the public.
You can self-publish, you can seek a traditional publisher and you can even create your own downloadable ebook. Each method has it's own advantages and disadvantages. We'll cover this in more detail in upcoming articles and podcasts.
The key is for you to pinpoint what you are trying to accomplish, and why. Why do you want to write a book? Once you have decided your outcome, and answered a few other crucial questions, you can then decide which approach is best for you.
Do you know the story behind Chicken Soup for the Soul?
Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield spent 3 years collecting uplifting stories from their peers. In 1992, they began sending their manuscript to publishers.
In the first 30 days, they received 33 rejections and THEIR OWN AGENT FIRED THEM.
All totaled, 140 publishers rejected the book.
Hansen and Canfield then went to a book publishing conference (now the BEA) and went booth to booth. They were turned down by another 134 publishers. They left a copy of their manuscript with a publisher who read it and agreed to publish it.
They were more than $ 140,000 in debt from their project.
They continued on long after most other people would have quit and given up.
What differentiates Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield from other authors?
Their GOALS. Their determination. Their persistence.
Here were their Goals for Chicken Soup:
1993: First Goal 1 1/2 million in 1 1/2 years
1995: 5 million original Chicken Soup
1996: 10 million books
2000: 50 million books
2020: 1 Billion books
Lofty goals for a book that they were told nobody wanted.
You must believe more in your vision than any rejection you encounter.
Hansen said, "Writers create babies called books and then orphan them."
Most people give up at the first sign of rejection.
"Focus more on your GOALS than your obstacles." -Jill Koenig
Hansen and Canfield had this advice after they continually succeeded in reaching their goals:
"Find great Mentors. Surround yourself with well chosen mentors and it will dramatically change your life!" Get a Coach.
That's great advice. A great coach can keep you focused on what you need to do to reach your goals.
The Chicken Soup series has sold more than 100 Million books and counting.
Most authors will tell you:
10% of the work is writing the book.
The other 90% of the work is marketing, promoting, selling and advertising.
So be prepared to keep working on your book by marketing it long after you have finished writing it. Wise authors can make more on licensing and other streams of income from their book besides royalties. But you've got to learn how to do it. You've got to set goals. You must create a plan and set aside the time for making it happen.
I interviewed Diane Eble, a highly sought after book coach and you can listen to Part 1 of the free podcast here:
http://www.GoalGuru.com/podcast
It has been reported that 6 million people have written a manuscript. Most manuscripts don't make it to print. So if you have a goal to bring your book to the market, I recommend you study the podcast and get started towards making your dream a reality.
I want to read your book.
I want you to share your gifts with the world.
If not now, then when?
Live Your Dreams,
Jill Koenig
Copyright 2006
Jill Koenig, the "Goal Guru' is America's Top Goal Strategist. A Best Selling Author, Coach and Motivational Speaker, she is an expert on the subjects of Goal Setting, Time Management and Business Success. Her uplifting newspaper column is syndicated across America and abroad. For FREE Goal Setting Strategies, Tips and Tools or to join world's largest FREE Goal Newsletter, visit: http://www.GoalGuru.com
Copyright 2006 GoalGuru.com
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posted by Goal Guru at 10:10 AM
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3 Comments:
Jill, this is great advice! I personally know at least five people that say they want to write a book, but never even get started. I guess it's like answering the question: "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: One bite at a time. Starting is also a worthy goal...after all, you can't follow through until the project gets started. Now if you'll excuse me....I think I need to go write.... ;-)
Jill, Ireally enjoyed this post. I guess I am one of those 82% of people who want to write a book. Thanks for the good pointers and the for push. Now to work!
Maybe I can adopt some of your enthusiasm and energy for moving forward with goals. Mine tend to take a backseat to such mundane doings...
I jolted you here:
http://herablehands.com/2006/09/15/like-you-and-every-third-person-on-earth-i-want-to-write-a-book/
kelly
http://herablehands.com
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