Here
are 36 questions that you should answer before seriously pursuing a career in writing
books, getting them published, and marketing them successfully.
Your answer needs to be YES for the majority of them or else you should strongly reconsider pursuing your dream to put out a book.
For some, writing is a challenge. For others it is finding a way to publish their works that is a stumbling block. And for many, promoting themselves or their book is fearful territory. But one must have a plan to overcome the triumvirate of challenges: writing, publishing, and marketing.
See how you answer the following before you launch deeper into your writing career:
Your answer needs to be YES for the majority of them or else you should strongly reconsider pursuing your dream to put out a book.
For some, writing is a challenge. For others it is finding a way to publish their works that is a stumbling block. And for many, promoting themselves or their book is fearful territory. But one must have a plan to overcome the triumvirate of challenges: writing, publishing, and marketing.
See how you answer the following before you launch deeper into your writing career:
Writing
1. Do I read other books
or have an awareness of what has been published in my genre?
2. Do I have any formal
training, from universities to writing workshops, in the practice of the
literary arts?
3. Do I want to publish my book because I believe in the value of my writing and because I want to
share something that I believe is of importance or interest – or do I see a
book as any other product to be sold?
4. Is my book really
better than its competitors, different, new, or providing a significant
contribution to the world – or is it merely more of the same that is out there,
no better or worse than what already exists?
5. Is it
well-researched, perfectly edited, and accurately fact-checked?
6. Does it challenge
authority, question things, dare us to dream, or make us really think long and
hard about our views or lives – or at least entertains, enlightens, inspires,
or educates us?
7. Is my book
controversial because it takes on the establishment and challenges
social norms, views, assumptions, or the historical record – or because it is
offensive, racist, sexist, and calling for violence against others?
8. Is it as long as is
necessary to convey its message, but short enough to enjoy?
9. Is the level of
vocabulary employed appropriate to the subject matter covered and for the level
of the reader to enjoy?
10. Would I recognize a random passage from
your book as being written by me – or would you fail to pick it out of a lineup
of other books?
11. Is my writing quality as good as the
subject matter covered?
12. Have I tested out some writing samples
with others? Did they like them?
13. Does the book have potential for
sequels, updated editions, or to be adapted into a movie, play, or TV show?
Publishing
14. Are I ready to self-publish if I can’t
get a publisher? If so, do I know which platform is right for me?
15. Can I accept
rejection but persevere?
16. Would I consider a hybrid publisher,
where I collaborate on tasks and split revenues equitably?
17. Did I create a killer query letter to
get the attention for my book from literary agents and publishers?
18. Am I willing to
change my book to make it more commercially appealing -- but still managing to
retain its integrity?
19. Do I understand the
book’s title needs to be one that gets people’s attention – and not just
something that I personally feel connected to?
20. Will I put my ego
second and prioritize my actions to ensure a quality, marketable book is
produced?
Marketing
21. Is there a big enough market for your
book?
22. Do I have strong testimonials from
established individuals, organizations, universities, businesses, or government
agencies?
22. Is it a promotable book, based on its
title, packaging and design, subject matter, style of writing, level of
competition, price, quality of editing, availability, and cover design?
24. Am I committed to putting in the
necessary time and effort to successfully market this book?
25. Will I invest my resources to
outsource things that need to be done to market successfully?
26. Am I open-minded and willing to try new
ways to brand myself?
27. Am I going to apply for book awards?
28. Will I be active on social media?
29. Do I understand
some, maybe many people, won't like my book but that many will?
30. Am I
opportunistic, persistent, and hungry to succeed? Do I look to make my own
opportunities and take chances -- rather than wait for things to come to me or
ask permission to succeed?
31. Have I budgeted
time, money, and mindshare to invest in my writing career?
32. Do I have a long-term book marketing plan -- and not just a few immediate goals in my head?
33. Will I commit to
educating myself about the book industry and read key blogs, publications,, and
books -- and attend webinars/seminars/conference/online courses -- that help me
to understand the trends, needs, and challenges of the book world?
34. Will I partner
with an collaborate with my publisher, and not just assume they will do
everything when it comes to selling my book?
35. Will I be
available and flexible on my schedule to meet, talk to, or write for news media
outlets that want to discuss my book?
36. Do I understand
that marketing must be done every day over many months, and not inconsistently
over a short period of time, and that good marketing requires that I explore
speaking, social media, traditional news media, online media, advertising, book
giveaways, and many different things?
PLEASE CONSULT THESE TIMELY RESOURCES
How Should Authors Promote Books During A Plague?
Powerful 2020 Book Marketing Toolkit -- FREE
How Do Authors Promote Books When The Media Is Corona
Centric?
Advice to Authors From A Book Promoter of 30 Years
How Are Authors Selling Books Through A Pandemic?
A Book Marketing Pandemic Playbook
What Types of Books Can Get Media Coverage Now?
See 2020 With Best Book Marketing Blog Posts of the Year
The Bestseller Code For Book Marketers & Authors
What Should You Do to Market Your Book?
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