“Writing a book is an adventure, to begin with, it is a toy and an amusement, then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master, and then a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster, and fling him out to the public.” ―Winston Churchill
Writing a book and becoming a published author is a significant achievement that involves several key steps. First, it's essential to write a manuscript that resonates with your target audience and fits within your chosen genre. Once the manuscript is complete, thorough editing is crucial to ensure clarity and coherence. After polishing the manuscript, authors can choose between traditional publishing or self-publishing.
Most celebrities want to write a book but they are scared of writing and publishing it. Writing a book is a challenge for beginners and experienced writers. In this regard, we will discuss and draw a blueprint to write your book and publish it successfully.
I have published 53 books within a decade. It requires passion, vision, discipline, dedication, execution, and excellence to write your book and become a bestseller globally. I read thousands of books during my lifetime. I was a book reviewer for several eminent international journals, including Emerald. It has helped me author my books successfully.
Additionally, I have a flair for writing. My diversified experience including Indian Air Force, entrepreneurship, teaching, training, research, and consultancy helped me author books in diversified areas including success, students, education, entrepreneurship, learning, leadership, training, executive education, executive coaching, diversity, and gender.
How to Write a Book and Become a Published Author
Have you always dreamed of becoming a published author and seeing your book on the shelves? Writing a book can be a daunting task, but with dedication and perseverance, you can turn your dream into a reality. It’s not as easy as we imagine. Somehow, these are the steps you need to take to become a best-selling author.
Step 1: Choose Your Genre and Topic: The first step in writing a book is deciding on the genre and topic you want to write about. Consider your interests and passions, as well as what you think will resonate with readers. Research popular genres and trends in the industry to help you make an informed decision.
Step 2: Create an Outline: Before you start writing, it’s essential to outline your book. This will help you organize your thoughts and ideas, as well as create a roadmap for the writing process. Outline the main plot points, characters, and themes of your book to guide you as you start writing.
Step 3: Start Writing: Now that you have your outline, it’s time to start writing. Set a writing schedule and commit to writing a certain number of words or pages each day. Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can focus and let your creativity flow.
Step 4: Edit and Revise: Once you have completed your first draft, it’s time to edit and revise your work. Review your manuscript for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, as well as inconsistencies in plot and character development. Consider seeking feedback from beta readers or a professional editor to help you polish your book.
Step 5: Research Publishing Options: After you have finalized your manuscript, it’s time to research publishing options. You can choose to traditionally publish with a publishing house or self-publish your book. Each option has its pros and cons, so make sure to weigh them carefully before making a decision.
Step 6: Submit Your Manuscript: If you decide to pursue traditional publishing, research literary agents and publishers who accept submissions in your genre. Write a compelling query letter and submit your manuscript according to their guidelines. If you choose to self-publish, use research platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Ingram Spark to upload your book.
Step 7: Promote Your Book: Once your book is published, it’s essential to promote it to reach a wider audience. Utilize social media, book signings, and book reviews to generate buzz around your book. Consider reaching out to book bloggers and influencers for potential collaborations.
Becoming a published author is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for writing. Follow these steps, stay committed to your craft, and never give up on your dream of seeing your book in print. Good luck on your writing journey!
Ensure Longer Lifespan for Your Book
Before writing a book, keep your audience in mind. Find out the longevity of the book. If you can write a book that has longevity, your prospects of becoming a bestselling author are promising. For instance, I authored a book on COVID-19 titled COVID-19: Human’s Search for Humanity. https://www.amazon.in/COVID-19-Humanity-M-S-Rao/dp/9387799492
Before writing this book, I was pretty sure that it would not last for a long time. So, I wrote the book and published it immediately, and the publisher also sold it in good quantity.
I wrote many books that have a long lifespan to enable the books to sell for a longer time and establish myself as an author. I deliberately wrote self-help books that have the longest lifespan to enable readers to read them beyond my lifetime.
For instance, Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People is a bestseller and is timeless. So is the case with The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
So, before you write your book, ensure that the book has longevity. The longer the lifespan, the better the sales and the higher the visibility of the book.
A Blueprint to Write and Publish Your Book
Here are some tips to write and publish your book.
Find out whether you are passionate about writing a book or it.
If you are passionate, be clear about the area you want to write about.
Research on that area to identify the gaps.
Check whether you can fill those gaps and pull them off successfully.
For instance, some writers start a book and leave it halfway as they find it challenging to proceed forward due to a lack of adequate interest and the availability of material for research. It happens to most writers. When I became an author in 2010, I started to write a book on charismatic leadership. But I could not complete it as I did not get adequate material for research.
Additionally, the topic did not create adequate curiosity in me. So, I stopped writing the book and included the written content in another relevant book titled Spot Your Leadership Style. https://www.amazon.com/Spot-Your-Leadership-Style-Build/dp/8182203724
After you decide to write your book, create an outline/skeleton with chapter titles and triggers. Take up each chapter, research, and write the chapter. Don’t attempt to write too many chapters at a time. Take one chapter, write it completely, and move on to the next chapter.
During the process of writing, more ideas flash through your mind to include new chapters in the book. Maintain a separate document for writing your ideas to take forward and include. Completely write all chapters.
Finally integrate all chapters chronologically to complete your book. Remember to be an author first and an editor next. Creating ideas and writing a chapter is more important than editing because editing can be done later. Edit all chapters and reshuffle your chapters to ensure that they are in the right sequence.
Edit and improve your book multiple times to get the best-finished product. Check the authenticity of the data you outlined. Create sample chapters from the book and approach eminent people in the area to write endorsements and a foreword.
After taking a break for a few days, edit and improve your book again. In this way, you improve the quality of your book. Remember, writing a book is easier said than done. It is a painful process with lots of distractions and disturbances. You must focus clearly on your goal of writing.
Identify an Ideal Publisher
Write a book proposal and approach the publishers who can publish your book. Don’t worry if your book proposal is rejected. Every author has several rejections, including J.K. Rowling. Remember that you are not an exception. Be an optimist and send your book proposal to several book publishers until you find the best and ideal publisher.
Edit the entire manuscript finally and submit the soft copy to the publisher. You may be asked to modify the manuscript. Follow their guidelines and suggestions strictly. You will be excited when your book sees the light of the day. You forget the entire painful process when you see your book in print. It is like a mother seeing her child for the first time with a smile.
Publish your book through various formats such as traditional publishing, partly traditional publishing, through an agent, or self-publishing. I have published all my books through the traditional method of publishing where I signed a contract with the publisher and published my books.
21 Steps to Write and Publish Your Book
Here is a series of steps to write and publish your book:
Be passionate about writing your book.
Write the book in your area of interest only.
Identify the gaps.
Check whether you can pull it off successfully.
Fill the gaps through research.
Create an outline/skeleton with tentative book chapters
Create triggers for each chapter.
Write each chapter by doing research.
Complete all chapters.
Be flexible and include fresh chapters and content.
Edit all chapters.
Complete the manuscript.
Create sample chapters.
Approach for endorsements and a foreword.
Create a book proposal.
Send the book proposal to the publishers.
Sign the agreement with the publisher.
Share the soft copy of your manuscript with the publisher.
Update and edit your book as per the instructions of your publisher.
See your book in print.
Promote your book on social networks and market it effectively to increase visibility for your book to become a bestseller.
Don’t expect great returns from your book unless you have a strong brand and network to promote your book. The advantage of writing a book is that you build your credibility globally. If your book becomes a bestseller, you increase your visibility globally. Remember, making money from your book is a byproduct. If you want to tell your story to the readers and future generations you must write at least one book in your lifetime.
Final Thought
Writing books is a divine gift. However, you can acquire this gift with passion, practice, persistence, and patience. To summarize, be passionate, create a tentative blueprint of chapters, write each chapter, be flexible to modify your chapters and content, edit your book several times, approach the right publisher, publish your book, and market it aggressively.
References
https://www.amazon.com/Strategies-Improving-your-Business-Communication/dp/9350239434
https://www.amazon.com/Spot-Your-Leadership-Style-Build/dp/8182203724
https://www.amazon.in/COVID-19-Humanity-M-S-Rao/dp/9387799492
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“Things You Don’t Know about Professor M. S. Rao” http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-you-dont-know-about-professor-m.html
Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html
Note: I had COVID. I had a brain hemorrhage. I was in bed for five months. My right hand is paralyzed. I am recovering. Thanks for understanding and empathy. https://youtu.be/BFJrSRLHPUk
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Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India
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