Book Publishing – MANUSCRIPTS

How to Write and Launch a Book in 2023 (Without Feeling Afraid)

Writing a book seems scary. And this fear triggers 4 major mistakes. How to write and launch a book in 2023 (without feeling afraid)?

The 4 most common mistakes:

Writing alone
Forcing a structure
Unique knowledge points
Focusing on the Big Numbers

Let’s break them down:

1) Writing Alone

The first thing I’ll tell you: Most people think writing a book is an individual endeavor. It’s not. The reality? When you talk to the most successful authors, they all start by talking about other people.

How they worked with a group.
How they collaborated
How they had a ton of help

And this is what I always tell people: Writing is NOT something you do alone. You do the typing yourself, yes. But you DON’T write a book as an individual. No… It’s a collaborative effort.

2) Forcing a Structure.

This is a big one for most people. They think they need: • a table of contents • perfect structure • rigid outlines All this stuff, before they ever start. But I would flip that around. Analogy:

“You start this process with a compass, not a map”

And when I had the chance to interview Daniel Pink (who also happens to be my neighbor), he shared something interesting: He starts with 2 things: 1. A notepad 2. A list of questions And then he thinks about who he can talk to about those questions. As I said earlier… Books are not to be written alone!

3. Unique Knowledge Points

This is for my non-fiction writers. I studied 150+ best sellers and found this: Stories account for 80% of their written content. NOT unique knowledge points. So if you want to write an exceptional book: - Identify - Teach - Tell All through storytelling It’s the proven formula for success.

4. Focusing on Big # ’s

People often worry:

“Is my book going to sell 1,000,000 copies?”

And that’s not the best mindset. Here’s why: Books are sold via word of mouth. You want to find your first 200 fans and friends, and have them help spread the word. It happens in phases. And that’s a good thing ( I promise ).

The 4 major mistakes authors make:

1. Writing Alone 2. Forcing a structure 3. Unique Knowledge Points 4. Focusing on Big Numbers So let's break this cycle and utilize a community-driven approach for your next book project.

How To Leverage Creativity in Writing: Insights From Austin Kleon

Pablo Picasso once said:

“Good artists borrow, great artists steal.”

So I sat down with Austin Kleon, author of “Steal Like An Artist” to talk about creativity and writing.

These are the 10 best takeaways:

1) Exploring and Collecting.

Having a system for exploring and collecting ideas is vital. The best creators: • Explore the world • Capture its essence • And share the result

2) Input to Output Ratio.

Inputs: • Reading • Learning • Inquiring Outputs: • Writing • Ideating • Creating The ratio should be at least 1:1 If not 2:1, input to output.

3) Thinking in Verbs, Not Nouns.

Don't become too attached to job titles or nouns. Instead, focus on the verbs. The actions you take. The stuff you really enjoy. The things others respond to.

4) Authenticity and Frequency.

Authenticity and consistency are KEY. Try to set: • Goals • Deadlines • Aspirations This will help maintain frequency which will turn into consistency.

5) The Role of the Reader.

A book comes alive when the reader picks it up. The reader's interpretation and engagement with the work is a crucial part of the creative process. So pour out your heart and soul.

6) Making Yourself Interesting.

To create interesting work, you need to be an interesting person. That doesn't mean: • Outlandish • Eccentric • Flashy Just be genuinely interested in the world. And make it interesting to others.

7) The Importance of Fun.

Writing should be fun. If it feels like work, not play, it's hard for the reader to enjoy it. They feel what you feel. (That's the beauty of writing).

8) Stealing Like an Artist.

This doesn't mean plagiarizing. Rather, you should draw inspiration from existing works and add your own spin. Everything's already been said. But maybe not by you...

9) The Power of Visuals.

Austin Kleon's creative process often involves visuals. When there are more pictures than words, creativity thrives. As they say: "A picture is worth 1,000 words."

10) The Value of Notebooks.

As a writer, you NEED a notebook. Not only will it help capture thoughts and ideas, but you can also revisit them. You'll see your evolution over time. How do you cultivate creativity in your writing?