So You Want to Write a Book: Episode One

Have you ever felt the sudden urge to publish a book? I have, and I jumped right in without much knowledge of the publishing world and its intricacies. I had to learn along the way. Now, after publishing nine books, I think it’s time to share what I’ve learned about publishing. This is crucial because there seems to be a disconnect locally regarding resources or guides for first-time publishers. That’s why I’m here—to talk about publishing!

Hi, my name is Cachline Etienne, and I am the author of nine books. Let’s talk.

So, you want to write a book and publish it.

The first step is simple: just start writing! This is what this blog will be discussing. Often we make writing harder than it needs to be simply because we do not have a plan in plan. Writing your book will be much easier if you have a guide and a plan. I suggest creating a detailed outline of your book, including plots, character profiles, settings, etc. Each week, flesh out a particular idea or chapter. Download this basic book outline below to help you out! (Free teeenngs)

So You Want to Write A Book_ Basic Fiction Book Outline .pdf

Download PDF • 192KB

So, you’ve written the book. What’s the market? What’s the genre? Now is the time to fully establish what you want your book to achieve. Who do you want to read it? Is the genre popular? How do you plan to reach your audience? This research is essential for the visibility and marketing of your work. Don’t publish without figuring this out! To help out, I have attached a basic genre search outline/plan below. (More Free teeenngs)

Basic Book Genre Research Outline Template.pdf

Download PDF • 126KB

Next? More research! Look at book covers and promotional tactics for books in your genre. What seems to be working? What covers sell the best? Start talking about your book and create some buzz.

Create a great Cover. Using your research, hire a cover creator or purchase a cover for your book. If you’re skilled in that area, you can create your own cover. Look at the top-selling covers and use them to your advantage.

Create an epic blurb! Your blurb needs to hook readers. Look at popular books in your genre and their blurbs. Is there a trend? If so, follow it. You need to attract readers to your book!

Finally, please, do not self-edit. Invest in an excellent editor. A good editor can make the difference between a terrible and a great book. Give your eyes a rest. I made the mistake of self editing my first few books and now I am preparing to have them re-edited. Time was low-key wasted and money will still be spent. Do it right the first time.

I am a firm believer in completing these steps before even thinking about publishing. These are the groundwork for a successful release. In my next blog, we will discuss what publishing is and the many options available. See you next week Thursday!!