Eight Questions For First-Time Authors
Whether you’re a prospective first-time author in nonfiction or fiction, writing a book is one of the most challenging tasks you can take on. But it’s also one of the most rewarding. Think about it: with a few hundred pages in your hands, you are immortalizing your message and perspective for future generations to read. You also get to be on the same shelf as some of history’s greatest thinkers!
But there’s another benefit to writing a book: it can help attract new clients and build alliances across industries.
The problem is that many people who want to write books need help knowing where to start or how to get over roadblocks. So, I asked ten successful authors (including myself) what they wish they’d known before they wrote their first book and how they overcame those challenges so other first-time authors could learn from them.
Here’s what we’ve learned over our combined 25+ years in publishing. Check out these eight questions to ask yourself as a first-time author.
1. Is this something I want to do?
Do you really want to write a book?
Writing a book is a big commitment. It will take up your time and energy. So, it is important that you are passionate about your topic and ready for the hard work involved in writing and publishing.
If you are not sure about whether you want to become a first-time author, here are some questions for reflection:
- How long have I been thinking about writing this book? Is it something I’ve always wanted to do or just an idea that has popped into my head recently?
- Am I willing to work hard on this project? What sacrifices am I willing to make in order to see this through successfully?
- Do I have any other obligations (family, job, etc.) that might prevent me from putting in the necessary hours needed to complete a successful book project?
2. Am I too old or young to be a first-time author?
You’re never too young or too old to write a book.
With the rise of self-publishing, you no longer need to be friends with an agent or have some publishing pedigree in order to publish your work. If you’ve got a great story and want to share it with the world, there’s no better time than now!
So, how old is old enough to write a book? The answer is: 50 is just as good as 19! There’s no right age to start writing a book. If you’re over 50 and have never written one, there is no better time than now to get started!
Writing a book is an amazing way to share your knowledge and experiences with the world. You don’t need an agent or publisher; the rise of self-publishing has made it easier for anyone with a great story idea to bring their work into the light of day.
3. Do I have enough experience to write about this topic?
You have to have a lot of knowledge about the topic. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should at least know your stuff.
You may have studied a lot about your topic, learned from a mentor, or worked in the industry for years. If so, those are great ways to build up your credentials as an expert on the subject. But if not, then where can you find them?
You could start by attending conferences and events related to your topic (or industry). You could also ask mentors or colleagues in similar fields for advice on how they got started and what their experiences were like. Just make sure to credit them appropriately for their contributions.
When writing about your topic with authority, it helps if people know the author already. So make sure that any book marketing efforts include both images of yourself with some sort of branding (like your website logo) as well as links to your content and social media handles wherever possible.
4. Should I take writing classes?
Perhaps you’re thinking about taking a class on how to write a book. If so, I say: Go for it! But keep in mind that writing isn’t a subject that can be taught the same way math or science can be. You don’t need any special knowledge or technique to become a first-time author—you need motivation and persistence.
If you want to take classes on writing books, here are some things you should know:
- A class can be helpful if it helps you get started with your writing project. It might inspire you with ideas or give you some useful tips and strategies for writing your first draft.
- But, classes aren’t necessary. Plenty of resources are available online to help get your project off the ground. For example, professional writers can find great articles on sites like Medium and The Write Life. These articles often include information about what they’ve learned while doing their own research and publishing process (like How Self-Publishing Changed My Life).
- Rather than taking a class, there are plenty of blog posts written by authors who have been through this process successfully already. These could serve as inspiration for new writers who want more specific advice from someone who’s been down this road before them.
If you decide to take a writing class, make the most of it. Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher if they have any specific advice or suggestions that might help you with your project. They may even be able to give you some ideas or resources on where to find more information. While you’re at it, ask another student in the class about their experience going through the same process.
5. What are the best publishing options for a first-time author?
The publishing options are wide open for first-time authors. While you can self-publish a book, it’s also possible to have your book released by an established publisher. There are many different types of publishers, so it’s important not to mistake one for the other.
Hybrid publishing is an option that allows you to self-publish while still working with a traditional publisher. It gives authors access to traditional publishers’ distribution channels while maintaining control over their own work.
The key here is being able to market yourself as an authority in your niche. This means building up an online presence and creating something people will want before investing in your book or signing on with you as a business partner.
If this sounds like something you’d like to pursue further, consider starting slow: try blogging and growing your audience until enough people know who you are before releasing any books (or maybe just one!).
Traditional publishers provide editorial services such as copy editing and proofing along with marketing support which is only sometimes included when going solo through self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP Select or Smashwords Direct Publish (SPDP).
However, if all goes well, there are some benefits to traditional publishing, including higher royalties per sale due to overhead costs such as staffing costs associated with running businesses employing hundreds of employees worldwide. Plus, traditional publishers provide numerous publishing services including editing, design, and more.
6. What is my platform, and how will it affect my publishing prospects?
The publishing industry is rife with confusion around the term “platform.” While it may be tempting to think that platform means “publisher” or even “book,” neither is quite accurate. What does your prospective publisher want to know about your platform?
Ask yourself: What do I want my writing career as a first-time author to look like? Do I want a traditional publishing contract, or am I happy with self-publishing and handling everything independently?
If your answer is the latter—and many writers opt for this route—then it’s time to ask yourself what kind of audience you have built up over the years. Do you have an email list? Are there any other ways in which people will come across your work? If not, it may be time to build your platform as an author.
7. Is there anything I can do to prepare for marketing my book?
Even before you write your first book, there are things you can do to prepare for marketing your book as you finish writing it.
For example:
- Start blogging. Blogging is one of the most effective ways to gain exposure and build an audience around a niche topic. If you don’t already have a blog, consider posting first about the details of your research process in advance of your upcoming book’s release date. This will help generate buzz for your blog posts and the eventual launch of your book itself.
- Start a newsletter or email list.
- Submit your book to online bookstores. Once you’ve finished writing your book, you should submit it to major online bookstores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. You can also include your own website here if you have one! If you don’t have a website yet, consider starting one (with help from a professional).
- Start a podcast or appear as a guest. Podcasts are a great way to build an audience and gain exposure around your niche topic. You should also consider posting videos on YouTube or Vimeo; this is another great way to share details about your book and reach a new audience.
8. How long should a first-time author expect to work on a book before it’s published?
It depends on how quickly you write your book, for one thing, and how much editing you need, for another. The publishing process is another factor—it’s not always a straight line from finished manuscript to Amazon best-seller.
The time it takes to write your book will also depend on how much time and energy you can devote to this project—and that depends on how many other commitments you have going on in your life.
Books vary wildly in size: an e-book can take a month or two to write; a novella might take several months; a well-researched nonfiction book can take a year or more. Finally, a novel could easily eat up months or even years before it’s complete.
In Conclusion…
As you can see from the questions we’ve covered here, first-time authors face many challenges.
It’s not enough to write a book; you have to know how it will be published and marketed as well. These tips will help make your journey smoother and stress-free!