As The Write Author Coach and founder of the GET IT WRITE Author's Circle
my phone rings off the hook & my email inbox is
inundated with questions from men and woman who want to know
how to write, publish an market their books.

So I decided to share a few insights
based on my experience as an author, my ongoing research and
my contacts with literary and publishing professionals.

Who should be on my Power Team? 

No one ever achieved success alone. Producing a successful book is no different; it can be a daunting task, without the proper support.  Whether you are an aspiring author or an existing author, the following people are essential to producing a marketable publication:

Author Coach; Book Editor; Cover Designer; Agent; Publishing Editor; Publisher; Publicist; Published Authors; Writers’ Groups; The GET IT WRITE Author’s Circle

Read more about the author’s Power Team

Do I need to take writing classes?

Not necessarily, but it can help. Like any profession, writing is an evolving process. Many successful writers attend classes and workshops to hone their skills. If you want to perfect your skills in any genre, check the Internet, colleges, your local library, writing groups and retreats for courses on writing.

Is there a particular format I should follow for starting my book?

Do what works for you. Some writers require structure and find that creating and following an outline works best. Other options are to list the topics you want to cover (in no specific order) and start writing on each one. Speakers who write books often refer to their speaking topics as a guideline. If you’re unsure, choose a technique and see how it works for you. If you find that it’s stifling your creativity, try something else.

View Write Your Book: Getting Started

Do I need an editor?

YES! By all means, hire a professional editor (not just a friend who likes to write) to review your book once it’s done. An editor should improve your book by identifying weak or unclear areas; sections that should be expounded upon or deleted; and of course grammatical mistakes.

Check out Working with Editors

How many pages should my book be?

That depends on the type of book you’re writing and your target market. For instance, self-help books are shorter (approximately 75 - 150 pages) because readers tend to be busy people who want to get information as quickly as possible; novels are generally 250 – 500 pages; a business publication might be approximately 200 pages. To gauge the current market, visit a library or book store to gauge the length of books whose topic is similar topics to yours.

Do I need a professional book cover?

Yes; an attractive cover can sell your book (along with a great title). Don’t try to design the cover yourself (unless you’re a book cover designer). If you’re self-publishing, hire a designer or allow the publishing company to design the cover (make sure you view their previous work to make sure it’s acceptable).

Should I join a writer’s group?

I highly recommend it. Writing groups can provide tons of information, inspiration and contacts. You’ll be surprised at how many new ideas come to you while interacting with other writers. They can also provide a forum for critiquing your book while you’re writing it. Most groups introduce members to literary and publishing professionals such as book store owners, award-winning authors, agents and publishers. To find groups in your area, conduct an Internet search, review local papers for meeting announcements or visit your local library.

What is the manuscript format?

Agents and publishers have different requirements, however here are some basics:

8 ½ x 11, white paper; double spaced; one-inch margins; use a serif font, i.e., Courier or Times New Roman; indent the first line of each paragraph; page number appears in top right hand corner.

Should I self-publish?

Before answering this question, I determine my client’s purpose for the book, goals, resources and target markets. Self publishing is beneficial for writers who: 1) want to maintain ultimate control over their book (content, design, marketing and distribution) 2) are willing to manage every aspect of publishing (formatting, design, layout, editing, printing, marketing and distribution) 3) aren’t willing to wait 6 months, 1-year or more for the book to be published 4) want to earn 85% or more of the profits (instead of  5 - 15%) 5) are prepared to do ALL of the marketing and promotions  6) don’t desire the prestige of a large publishing house and 7) don’t want to see their book in major book stores across the country.

What are my publishing options?

Traditional publishing: Large publishing houses include Simon & Schuster, Penguin, Time Warner. They are very selective and look for books with commercial appeal or high literary standards. They receive hundreds of manuscripts a week and select a small percentage for publishing. The publisher retains the rights to the book and pays the author a royalty. It could take up to two years for your book to be published.

Independent Publisher: Small publishers located across the country who publish 2 – 10 books a year on average. They receive hundreds of manuscripts a month and look for well-written books in specific genres. The publisher retains the rights to the book and pays the author a royalty. It may take several months to a year for your book to be published once it's accepted.

Self publishing: This term generally refers to publishing that is handled completely by the author. The author assumes the entire cost of publication and handles all marketing, distribution, storage, etc. The published books are the writer's property, and the writer keeps 100% of sales proceeds.

Vanity Publishing: Refers to a book producer who prints and binds a book in large quantities at the author's expense. The completed books are the property of the author and the author retains all sales proceeds. Vanity publishers do not screen for quality--they publish anyone who can pay. They may offer additional services such as editing, warehousing, and book fulfillment. They rarely offer distribution of any kind.

Subsidy (a.k.a. a joint venture publisher, a co-op publisher): Publishers charge the author to print and bind a book, but may contribute to a portion of the cost. They also offer additional services such as editing, distribution, warehousing, and some degree of marketing. There may be some limited screening of submissions to rule out pornography or hate literature, but as with vanity publishers it's not the quality of the author's work that counts. The completed books are the property of the publisher and remain in the publisher's possession until sold. The writer receives royalties from book sales.

Print-On-Demand (POD): These publishers do not screen manuscripts and will publish anything. The author pays a one-time set up fee and subsequently only pays for books as they are printed or ordered. This requires a minimal investment by the author. Most POD publishers offer distribution and often some type of marketing assistance, but marketing is really up to the author. The author maintains ownership and rights to the book. The author keeps 100% of sales proceeds.

Do I need an agent?

This is another question that depends on the writer’s goals and purpose for writing the book. It can also depend on the writer’s contacts within the publishing industry. If you want to be published by a traditional publisher, then you probably need an agent. Most big publishing houses (and small ones) rarely, if ever accept unsolicited manuscripts, but will accept manuscripts submitted by a reputable agent. If you have inside contacts (i.e., other published authors, publishing editor) with a publishing house that publishes your type of book, then you may not need an agent. The agent’s primary job is to get your book in front of the right publisher and to negotiate the best possible deal (book advance, subsidiary rights, and royalties). I know several authors who've landed book deals without an agent, but this is very rare.

View Working With Agents

How can I make money as a writer?

Writers can earn additional income by applying for writing contests, awards and grants. Awards, contests and grant prizes can range from $50 to $50,000 and include fellowships to writing programs and international travel. A list of contests, awards and grants can be found on the www.GetItWriteAuthorsCircle.com member’s section.

View Contests & Awards

How can an author coach help me?

An author coach is skilled at addressing the needs of existing and aspiring authors. I assist my clients with everything from concept development to distribution. If you’re starting a new book, an author coach can help you develop a marketing concept, establish writing goals and express your thoughts creatively. A coach will also provide advice and guidance on selecting editors, agents and publishers. For authors who’ve already produced a book, the author coach is instrumental in developing profitable marketing and distribution tactics, for instance: identifying independent book stores, events and organizations to sell your book; exploring distribution options such as schools and libraries.

A good author coach is a writer, strategist and marketer with good contacts

Most importantly, an author coach helps writers avoid costly mistakes, create marketable books, shorten the time it takes to produce a book, minimize research efforts and reach target markets.

Request a complementary consultation with Tara Y. Coyt, The Write Author Coach

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