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What's Your Biggest Challenge with Your Book?

I'd be interested to learn what authors/publishers on this network think their biggest challenges are with their book. I wonder if there's any common, pervasive challenge we all face.

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As a bookcoach, what my business clients say is that they fear they won't write a good book, will be embarrassed by it wih peers.

I advise that once you take action, your marketable book will evolve.

I bypassed critiism on my first great seller, Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast, and am glad I didn't listen! Wonder what your topic is?

Cheers,

Judy Cullins
www.bookcoaching.com
Hi Lydia,

I teach writer's workshops, and I tell the students to just write what's in your head. The events don't have to be in order. The computer is our best friend; they delete, copy, paste, save and take information off the internet for us.

As for editing. That's the last thing to worry about. The computer picks most of it up, except when it's their instead of there, lay instead of laid, etc.

After spending years writing your book, you should have a professional editor finalize it. This will be worth every penny. You don't want a book out there with mistakes. My first one had them and it took about two reprints to fix them. By then, who knows how many readers saw the mistakes. It's not too impressive for a first time writer. Readers remember them.

If you keep doing this, you not only lose your great thoughts and events for the book, you won't finish it. You can cut and paste your events in different sections of the book at the end. Just write your heart out and edit last. One important task that I stress is SAVE. Save it on a disk, laptop, pen disk, but SAVE. SAVE every few paragraphs and don't work on your manuscript during a storm. You can lose some of it.

I offer a binder from my workshops on my website for writers at www.ahealingheart.net

Good luck!
Hi Lydia,

Until I discovered, then wrote, how to implement "fast forward" chapter writing that is like a blueprint to motivate readers to keep reading the whole thing, and become your 24/7 sales team, I edited one book so much it took 2 years to finish. I then lost interest.

You may want to check out my book's chapter 2 that guarantees only 1-2 edits following the chapter format blueprint with Write Your eBook or Other Short Book - Fast at my site http://www.bookcoaching.com/tips-writing-a-book.php
Now you don't need so much discipline, you just need a workable writing method.
Cheers and enjoy,

Judy
Jewel—
It appears you are doing many things correctly to promote your book. Congratulations!

One way you may reach potential readers is by getting book reviews. Reviews are the least expensive forms of book marketing. Send a book to your local newspaper for them to review. Include background material about you and the book.

To reach the library audience, send a copy to the Library Journal for review. Library Journal is respected by librarians and influences their buying decisions. An associate of mine received a positive review in Library Journal which resulted in over 6,000 book sales over several years.

Also consider sending a review copy to Jim Cox at the Midwest Book Review. He is sympathetic to small, independent publishers.

Continued success with your book project.
Thanks for the specific, practical advice, Jim. I always appreciate suggestions for "the next step you should take right now."
Hi Bill,
I thought finding a publisher was the hardest part. Now I know that marketing is the biggest challenge. It has become a full time job for me lately. I have sent announcements, contacted libraries, book stores, and any one else I could think of. After all of that time and effort I get very little response. Being a new and unknown author in today's competitive market is tough. I have been getting some reviews lately, one is in a local magazine coming out in Feb. So, my fingers are crossed that it will help sales. I have also agreed to do some author signings in my state. It does get very frustrating at times, but I have been trying blogs and I think be able to talk about my progress and sometimes lack of it really helps. What would you say your biggest challenge is?
Hi, Kristen,
You've touched on one of the key misconceptions of the publishing industry; once you have a publisher the book will sell itself. As you've discovered, the publisher helps print your book and make it available (either through the bookstores or other distribution channels). Marketing falls to the author.

Publishers have found they can outsource marketing to help trim expenses. The problem is that the publishers outsource the marketing to you.

This is not all bad, though. Nobody knows your market better than you do. In fact, you are the best marketer for your book, like it or not. Think about reliable sources you count on to provide information on your subject. These are the places where you want to publicize your book. These sources include magazines, newspapers, radio shows, blogs, social networks (such as this one), trade shows, etc. Work to get your book mentioned in these places and readers will be aware of your book.

Congratulations on the forthcoming review in your local magazine. Continued success with your project.
Hi Kristin,
I find going personally to bookstore and introducing yourself makes doors open. We forget that so many managers get emails and letters from authors. Introduce yourself to libraries. Ask to do a reading and sign books. Libraries in my area are great.
Another secret, let the newspaper know that you are speaking at a certain location; give time and date.
Thanks for the tips albertasequeira. I am with a small publisher that only does PODs so bookstores are not my main target. I have contacted libraries in my area and have found that they are willing to display and sell my books before my signings. I have it in a few independent local bookstores, but just to get it out there. I will go to my first signing on March 4th. I am getting a little nervous. I have heard good and bad about other author's signings and hope I have a good story to tell after mine. What kind of books do you write?
Some suggestions for the signing: don't sit at your chair looking desperate for people to come up to you. Stand, smile and hand them a business card or a book for them to look over, and introduce yourself. Scared...Fake it.

Ask the manager if you can leave bookmarks or business cards at the registered and have the salesperson put one into every bag when someone buys a book at all from the store.

Call the editor of the newspaper and ask if they can put a small article in with your signing. Send them a small synopsis of the book and the cover.

Have a poster made at a print shop, they are cheap, usually under $10, of your book with a small write up and ask them to place it in their window a few days before the signing.

Have a drawing of some sort at the end of the day. (not your book because people tend to fill out the slip and not want to spend the money on the book in case they win it).
Give something out free with the book, especially if it relates to your book.

A jar of candy draws them to your table.
Hope this helps!
One more thought to remember, Kristin.

Selling your books is great, but you're there to introduce yourself, your book, get seen and get known.

I've book signed and sold nothing, BUT, I usually come away with meeting a person who knows someone else who can help me, or they can. Another person may give you information on where to go further with signings.

I also suggest, join a writer's group. There, you learn what they know and one person can get you in contact with someone important. They are a super group. Go to you bookstores and libraries to know where they are.

Again, good luck. Let us know how you do.

Alberta
I find my biggest challenge is marketing and getting your books into stores. Is there a key to all of this.

Mary

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