Home > The Arts > How to Get Into Book Writing

How to Get Into Book Writing

By: Lisa Koning - Updated: 5 Sep 2012 | comments*Discuss
 
Book Writing Book Writer Author Publish

If you have extensive experience in any field, it can be very tempting to put all that knowledge and expertise down on paper and hopefully get it published as a book. But being an expert in a field is one thing; becoming a published author is something else. So how can you combine the two?

Expert Knowledge

The best advice is to write about what you know. Whether you want to pen a practical How-To book or a fact-based book on your knowledge, having extensive knowledge in the particular topic is an excellent start. If you don't know everything and anything there is to know about your topic, your book is less likely to be published, so research is the key!

Unique Selling Features

If the market is saturated with many titles that cover the same material, it is unlikely that you will get very far, unless of course you have a new and exciting way of approaching the topic. Do some research and see what existing books are out there. How does your idea compare? And how could you make your idea stand out?

Are You a Good Writer?

It’s one thing to be an expert in a field and know how to do something well, it’s another to capture that on paper. A good writer can put down in words what the reader understands and enjoys. Writing is an art that improves only with much exercise. Don’t be afraid to rewrite!

Be CreativeBooks that are published and sell well put forward an idea or knowledge in an interesting way. People don’t want to simply read information. There is a lot of competition in the book world, and readers demand creative and interesting books in both fiction and non-fiction categories.

Recommended Training To Prepare For The Role Of Book Writer

  • Creative writing
  • Research skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Communication skills

What to Consider Before Becoming a Book Writer

  • Write, rewrite, and rewrite again. Good writing is about editing until you get it right. Don’t be precious over your words, and seek feedback from trusted family and friends.
  • Writing takes time; be prepared to invest many hours, days, weeks and months.
  • Think about why you want to write a book. It’s unlikely that you will make a fortune from a non-fiction book, so if it’s to fund your early retirement think again. To give you further credibility in your field and to improve your CV are good reasons.

Book Writer: A Case Study

Mary had worked for 30 years managing large-scale programmes in the finance industry. She felt that she’d experienced much in her career, and her opinion was often sort by her colleagues and others in her field. Over the years she’d built up quite a reputation and was beginning to be considered somewhat of an expert in her field.

After some research into the current market, Mary discovered that there were few practical How-To books in her particular expertise, so she decided to write a book of her experiences. Her book has been published and sells slowly; she hasn’t made a fortune. However, it has opened up the opportunity for her to become a speaker at various business functions, which in turn should get her name known more widely in the right places.

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
Why not be the first to leave a comment for discussion, ask for advice or share your story...

If you'd like to ask a question one of our experts (workload permitting) or a helpful reader hopefully can help you... We also love comments and interesting stories

Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
Latest Comments
  • Rich
    Re: Working with Animals
    Good Morning. I am 55 years old and have been working in social care for the last 12 years. I have always loved animals and have a high…
    25 February 2024
  • Alpha
    Re: Becoming a Mechanic
    I love this content, it was helpful, check this out also.
    31 January 2024
  • Angelina
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    Hi I'm 31 years old and have a disability I'm looking for work experience either in a nursery or as a receptionist at a…
    8 October 2023
  • Nimmi
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    Hi i am looking for work experience in account assistant position. Thank you
    26 September 2023
  • Nimmi
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    Hi I am looking for work experience in account assistant as I am having Acca and BA degree qualifications. I am available…
    26 September 2023
  • Shaz
    Re: How to Become an Insurance Broker
    Hi We would like to start private hire insurance business. I need more information about this. Can you please contact me…
    19 September 2023
  • Bron
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    would like some help or advice on how to gain more experience that will help me get back into work
    16 June 2023
  • Rob
    Re: Becoming a Mechanic
    Hi. I'm 57 and have been working at a dealership for just 4 months. I love cars and would be an honour to be able to service or repair them!…
    28 April 2023
  • clarkey
    Re: Becoming a Mechanic
    I have just started back at college on my final year. I am on level 3 Motor vehicle and I am a 57 year old woman. You are never too old. Go…
    22 September 2022
  • Philipsmac
    Re: Becoming a Carer
    I live in Lagos Nigeria. I would like to register for social care training program. After graduation, does the certificate qualify me to migrate…
    13 September 2022