How to get from an idea to a book

I’m sure you have an amazing idea for a book. I’m proud of you. Now please put that idea aside and pay attention:



Pick up any book
Flip through its pages
It took ~1000 hours or more to make that book (40 hours x 50 weeks = 1 year)
The big question: Do you love your idea enough to put in 1000 hours? 500? 100?

If YES, skip to the next list.


If NO, stop talking about books. Your idea is dead. Until it lands in the hands of someone willing to put in the time, it will never become a book. If you, the person who came up with the idea, won’t put in the time, odds are no one else will. There are infinitely more good ideas for books, movies, companies and everything else than people willing to put in the effort. I think you should put in the time, but it’s up to you.


How an idea becomes a book

Here is the basic logic you must understand.



Publishers are business. They publish books they think they can profit from. They don’t care about you or your idea. They care about profit.
You are competing for a precious slot. Many people want to write books. Bring your A game to the process.
Your idea will be evaluated by your book proposal. A book proposal is a 10-30 page pitch for the book.
If you can’t write a decent book proposal, you can’t write a decent book. Seems fair.

There are good books about writing proposals. Go read one. This is the beginning of the 1000 hours you must put in. O’Reilly Media has an excellent summary of what they expect in a proposal.


Common questions

Q: Can I skip writing a book proposal?


No. Unless you are Lady Gaga, Bono or your Mom owns a book publishing company and she still likes you. Unless you self-publish (see below).


Q: Do I need to write the book first?


No. This is a surprise to most. The majority of non-fiction book deals are signed based on 3 things: proposal, outline and a sample chapter. Publishers of non-fiction believe if you can do those three things well, you can write a decent book. The vast majority of people with book ideas utterly fail at those three simple tasks.


Q: Do I need to write an outline? 


Hell yes. If you can’t think of a list of chapters ideas that fills two pages, what makes you insane enough to think you can come up with a 250 page book’s worth of material?  One trick is to start an outline, as sparse as it is, and add to it whenever you get another idea. Little by little you may just build something awesome. Or you might just realize the idea for the book is better than the reality of the book (haven’t you read books like this?).


Q: Do I need to write a sample chapter?


Hell yes. Books are made of chapters. Have you written a chapter before? It’s wise to try it out before you sign on the dotted line to write 10 or 50 of them.


Q: I’ve tried writing, but I get stuck. Is there a trick?


No. Here’s why you are failing at writing.


Q: Shouldn’t I just get an agent?


The first thing an agent will ask is “send me your proposal.” There is no escape! They are busy people. You will get one shot at their interest. Contact them when you are ready, not before. Have the finished, polished proposal before you start looking around.


Q: When the proposal is finished what do I do with it?


 If your book is about something you are an expert in, start with your network. Ask colleagues who have published books to pass your proposal on to their editors. Look at books similar to the one you are proposing and read the acknowledgements. You’ll always find mention of the agent and editor who worked on the book. Some research will reveal how to get in touch with them. Many smaller, industry specific publishers have proposal submission details on their websites.


Q: What about fiction?


Fiction is harder to find a publisher for than non-fiction. A non-fiction book is marketed largely on your credentials. If you are an accountant writing about tax tricks, a publisher knows they can market you as an expert on the topic. Fiction has no experts. The market for novels is more competitive and marketing is more difficult. Most fiction agents and publishers demand a complete manuscript, and a short synopsis, before they’ll talk to you, for good reason.


Q: What about self publishing?


Self publishing is awesome. I highly recommend it. If you really love your idea nothing can stop you from publishing. This is AMAZING. The rub is you are on your own. A publisher can improve your book idea in many ways, and help you with every step of the process. If you self publish you must conceive, write, edit, design, market, proofread and promote the book all on your own. This is liberating if you are willing to put in the additional time and like to learn. It’s a nightmare if your network is small, you’re not a good project manager and you fear the unknown.


Questions? Leave a comment.


 

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Published on January 15, 2013 15:09
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