Could – and should – you write a book?
Although in the past the only criterion for the publication of a nonfiction book was its literary and/or informational merit, today not all books are published with a view to becoming best sellers so they don’t have to be “good” by mainstream publishers’ standards.
- Image by lo83 via Flickr
Many of these books are published (usually self-published) as marketing tools and as the means to a PR or promotional end, rather than as little profit centres in their own right, and are sold and/or distributed to audiences other than the general public.
So why write a nonfiction book?
“Having a book published” still holds a certain kudos and people automatically associate someone who writes a book about something with that someone being an expert on the subject.
If you work as a public speaker (even part-time) or as a trainer, lecturer, motivator, instructor, actor, comedian, musician, or in fact whatever occupation that gives you access to captive audiences – a book is a useful product. After your event you can sign copies of your book for members of your audience and provided the price isn’t too high, you’ll sell a good few copies, especially if you combine it with other merchandise.
Used correctly, your book will also be a helpful PR tool in other areas, and will make a gift that has a very high perceived value.
Have you got a book in you?
The question of whether or not to write a nonfiction book has to be a business decision, taken in the same way as a decision to introduce a new product or service. With nearly all nonfiction (and fiction too, up to a point) there is usually room for a good new book on the market, provided it’s likely to attract a substantial group of readers because:
*It’s about something entirely new and very interesting that no-one has written about before, or…
*It’s about something that’s not new, but to which you contribute something entirely new and
very interesting
Here are some ideas to get you thinking about that book you’ve always wanted to write!
Make something easier
You may have created shortcuts and new methods within your topic without really noticing them. Yet to a beginner in that area, these could be worth their weight in gold, saving them a great deal of time, effort and even money.
Inspire and change lives
If you have specialized knowledge that you know transforms life for people around you, and/or if you have developed a life-changing process for yourself, unless it’s about something incredibly obscure people will want to read about it.
Entertain
There is no rule that says even a serious textbook has to be written in a dull and boring way. Think in terms of sharing your information with a friend over a drink or a cup of coffee. Be informal and conversational. Use humour if you want to.
Avoid solutions that are looking for problems
Do your homework – go and find out who your prospective readers are, and what they want to know more about. Be guided by that, and not what you think they want to read.
Think ahead
Books have very long shelf lives. Try to position your topic so that the information in your book will be relevant for as long as possible. Don’t quote too many events and people that are contemporary when you write the book – they may not be around for as long as the book is!
Good luck, and give me a shout if I can help!
Adapted from “How To Write Winning Nonfiction” by Suzan St Maur, coming soon from PublishingAcademy.
About Sarah ArrowSarah Arrow is the managing editor of Birds on the Blog, in real life she is the communications director of a same day courier service. She is an enthusiastic UK based pro-blogger and co- author of the soon to be published Zero to Blogger
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14 Responses to Could – and should – you write a book?
All that jazz – All in A Day
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This bit leapt out at me:
“people automatically associate someone who writes a book about something with that someone being an expert on the subject”
So, if you’re an author (and you’re any good
at what you write about) you will more easily grow your brand as an authority on the subject… 
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Absolutely right Linda.
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
This bit leapt out at me:
“people automatically associate someone who writes a book about something with that someone being an expert on the subject”
So, if you’re an author (and you’re any good
at what you write about) you will more easily grow your brand as an authority on the subject… 
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Absolutely right Linda.
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
Some stats that show just how valuable (and in what ways) books can be as promotional tools for small business owners, service providers, or folks who want to be known as subject-matter experts:
http://bit.ly/dtNOgu
Yes Liz! You and Linda agree with me on that one.
But people mustn’t fall into the trap of thinking they produce any old material in book form and be recognised as experts in the subject matter.
Someone doing that might get away with it in the short term, but it doesn’t take long for word to get around that a book isn’t very good. And that’s a really hard one to recover from.
That’s why it’s important to make sure your material is first class, whether you go the conventional/trade publishing or self-publishing route.
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
Some stats that show just how valuable (and in what ways) books can be as promotional tools for small business owners, service providers, or folks who want to be known as subject-matter experts:
http://bit.ly/dtNOgu
Yes Liz! You and Linda agree with me on that one.
But people mustn’t fall into the trap of thinking they produce any old material in book form and be recognised as experts in the subject matter.
Someone doing that might get away with it in the short term, but it doesn’t take long for word to get around that a book isn’t very good. And that’s a really hard one to recover from.
That’s why it’s important to make sure your material is first class, whether you go the conventional/trade publishing or self-publishing route.
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
“But people mustn’t fall into the trap of thinking they produce any old material in book form and be recognised as experts in the subject matter.”
There’s the rub! Should we have a “whinge” post for what gets up our noses
?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
“But people mustn’t fall into the trap of thinking they produce any old material in book form and be recognised as experts in the subject matter.”
There’s the rub! Should we have a “whinge” post for what gets up our noses
?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Good points, I think. I’ve seen some self published books that are very good – lots of expertise and well presented. But I’ve also seen others that leave a lot to be desired – that remind me of the saying that maybe everyone has got a book in them – but in most cases that’s where it should stay.
I would say it’s an area where it’s important to get some expert advice, even if you know your subject area very well.
Good points, I think. I’ve seen some self published books that are very good – lots of expertise and well presented. But I’ve also seen others that leave a lot to be desired – that remind me of the saying that maybe everyone has got a book in them – but in most cases that’s where it should stay.
I would say it’s an area where it’s important to get some expert advice, even if you know your subject area very well.
Suze, I’ve just finished reading your new book and found it really useful. It has invigorated the writer in me!
The silly thing is, I have loads of half written stories, some fully written erotic stories under a nom de plume and various fiction book ideas floating around. Yet I am also an expert in the cloth nappy field and once mooted the idea of a Nappy Lady Guide to Cloth Nappies – I should get my arse in gear for this, rather prissying around with my fiction. TNL is very popular in the parenting forums, and we could easily sell a copy with each set of cloth nappies that go out of the door.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Suze, I’ve just finished reading your new book and found it really useful. It has invigorated the writer in me!
The silly thing is, I have loads of half written stories, some fully written erotic stories under a nom de plume and various fiction book ideas floating around. Yet I am also an expert in the cloth nappy field and once mooted the idea of a Nappy Lady Guide to Cloth Nappies – I should get my arse in gear for this, rather prissying around with my fiction. TNL is very popular in the parenting forums, and we could easily sell a copy with each set of cloth nappies that go out of the door.
Thanks for the inspiration!