Lessons on the Author Life
This book consists of 5 parts containing lessons in each area.
The Writing Journey – 29 lessons
The Publishing Process – 17 lessons
Distribution – 3 lessons
Promoting Your Books – 27 lessons
Words of Encouragement – 12 lessons
You may read the book cover to cover or reference lessons as needed.
Let this book be your lantern.
May it guide you along your author path. When I was a new author, I felt like I was walking my path alone in the dark. I needed someone to guide me. I needed a light to show me which steps to take. I needed to know what my options were. I’ve written the lessons in this book as if each lesson were a letter to each reader. It is my prayer that the lessons I’ve learned in my journey as an author serve as a guide for others with a passion for writing.
Table of contents
The Writing Journey
Lesson 1: You want to write a book?
Lesson 2: What it takes to be an author
Lesson 3: What led you to this path?
Lesson 4: Types of nonfiction writing
Lesson 5: How to start a nonfiction book
Lesson 6: Dealing with writer’s block
Lesson 7: Finding the time to write
Lesson 8: Your writing goals
Lesson 9: Your writing style
Lesson 10: Role model writers
Lesson 11: Detailing your descriptions
Lesson 12: Enhancing reader applicability
Lesson 13: Resources for proper English and grammar
Lesson 14: Formatting your book and choosing a font
Lesson 15: How to copyright your book and do the copyright page
Lesson 16: Legalities to consider
Lesson 17: Publishing under your name, a variation of your name, or a pen name
Lesson 18: How to actually finish that book you’re writing
Lesson 19: How to edit and proofread
Lesson 20: Designing your book cover
Lesson 21: Graphic designers and illustrators
Lesson 22: Editors
Lesson 23: Writing coaches and book coaches
Lesson 24: Classes and workshops
Lesson 25: Writers groups
Lesson 26: Beta readers
Lesson 27: How do you know when you are ready to publish your book?
Lesson 28: Personal growth as an author and an artist
Lesson 29: Writing new editions
The Publishing Process
Lesson 1: From hobby to small business
Lesson 2: Types of publishing and what each pathway involves
Lesson 3: Pros and cons of all your publishing options
Lesson 4: Why I love being an indie author
Lesson 5: Choosing a printing company for independent publishing
Lesson 6: Types of books to create
Lesson 7: Should you release all formats of your book at the same time?
Lesson 8: How long does the publishing process take?
Lesson 9: How much does it cost to publish a book?
Lesson 10: Pre-publishing prep
Lesson 11: Doing pre-orders
Lesson 12: How much does it cost to order a book for the author?
Lesson 13: What should you price your books at?
Lesson 14: How to indie publish
Lesson 15: Post-publishing to-dos
Lesson 16: Minor revisions are possible
Lesson 17: Do what is right for you
Distribution
Lesson 1: Distribution of your book in all formats
Lesson 2: How many books should you order?
Lesson 3: How to get your books in stores
Promoting Your Books
Lesson 1: You need a website
Lesson 2: About promotional images
Lesson 3: Blogging
Lesson 4: Social media for authors
Lesson 5: Email marketing
Lesson 6: Building your brand & growing your platform
Lesson 7: Networking with other authors
Lesson 8: Book review kits
Lesson 9: Press kits
Lesson 10: Book launches
Lesson 11: Sales expectations
Lesson 12: What makes books sell well?
Lesson 13: Doing author events
Lesson 14: Integrated methods of promotion
Lesson 15: Finding local and relevant resources to target
Lesson 16: Marketing options in different budget abilities
Lesson 17: Make a marketing action plan
Lesson 18: Book awards and writing contests
Lesson 19: For educational books: creating workbooks, teaching classes, and having programs
Lesson 20: Seeking book reviews
Lesson 21: What does it mean to be a best-selling author?
Lesson 22: Hollywood dreams – getting a book made into film
Lesson 23: Chasing status
Lesson 24: How to be a successful author
Lesson 25: What if books don’t sell enough to live the dream?
Lesson 26: It’s okay to take breaks from promoting your books
Lesson 27: How long and how hard do you have to promote your books?
Words of Encouragement
Lesson 1: Should you even write that book?
Lesson 2: Persevere on your project
Lesson 3: Publish anyway
Lesson 4: Do things your way
Lesson 5: Handling rejection and criticism
Lesson 6: When competition replaces the comradery that we should have
Lesson 7: When money doesn’t come like you’d hoped it would
Lesson 8: Publishing more books despite _________
Lesson 9: We all make mistakes
Lesson 10: Know that growth is a process
Lesson 11: In Need Of: time and patience — the cream always rises
Lesson 12: Love writing and love your books so much that nothing can dim your passion
Lesson 1: You want to write a book?
Lesson 2: What it takes to be an author
Lesson 3: What led you to this path?
Lesson 4: Types of nonfiction writing
Lesson 5: How to start a nonfiction book
Lesson 6: Dealing with writer’s block
Lesson 7: Finding the time to write
Lesson 8: Your writing goals
Lesson 9: Your writing style
Lesson 10: Role model writers
Lesson 11: Detailing your descriptions
Lesson 12: Enhancing reader applicability
Lesson 13: Resources for proper English and grammar
Lesson 14: Formatting your book and choosing a font
Lesson 15: How to copyright your book and do the copyright page
Lesson 16: Legalities to consider
Lesson 17: Publishing under your name, a variation of your name, or a pen name
Lesson 18: How to actually finish that book you’re writing
Lesson 19: How to edit and proofread
Lesson 20: Designing your book cover
Lesson 21: Graphic designers and illustrators
Lesson 22: Editors
Lesson 23: Writing coaches and book coaches
Lesson 24: Classes and workshops
Lesson 25: Writers groups
Lesson 26: Beta readers
Lesson 27: How do you know when you are ready to publish your book?
Lesson 28: Personal growth as an author and an artist
Lesson 29: Writing new editions
The Publishing Process
Lesson 1: From hobby to small business
Lesson 2: Types of publishing and what each pathway involves
Lesson 3: Pros and cons of all your publishing options
Lesson 4: Why I love being an indie author
Lesson 5: Choosing a printing company for independent publishing
Lesson 6: Types of books to create
Lesson 7: Should you release all formats of your book at the same time?
Lesson 8: How long does the publishing process take?
Lesson 9: How much does it cost to publish a book?
Lesson 10: Pre-publishing prep
Lesson 11: Doing pre-orders
Lesson 12: How much does it cost to order a book for the author?
Lesson 13: What should you price your books at?
Lesson 14: How to indie publish
Lesson 15: Post-publishing to-dos
Lesson 16: Minor revisions are possible
Lesson 17: Do what is right for you
Distribution
Lesson 1: Distribution of your book in all formats
Lesson 2: How many books should you order?
Lesson 3: How to get your books in stores
Promoting Your Books
Lesson 1: You need a website
Lesson 2: About promotional images
Lesson 3: Blogging
Lesson 4: Social media for authors
Lesson 5: Email marketing
Lesson 6: Building your brand & growing your platform
Lesson 7: Networking with other authors
Lesson 8: Book review kits
Lesson 9: Press kits
Lesson 10: Book launches
Lesson 11: Sales expectations
Lesson 12: What makes books sell well?
Lesson 13: Doing author events
Lesson 14: Integrated methods of promotion
Lesson 15: Finding local and relevant resources to target
Lesson 16: Marketing options in different budget abilities
Lesson 17: Make a marketing action plan
Lesson 18: Book awards and writing contests
Lesson 19: For educational books: creating workbooks, teaching classes, and having programs
Lesson 20: Seeking book reviews
Lesson 21: What does it mean to be a best-selling author?
Lesson 22: Hollywood dreams – getting a book made into film
Lesson 23: Chasing status
Lesson 24: How to be a successful author
Lesson 25: What if books don’t sell enough to live the dream?
Lesson 26: It’s okay to take breaks from promoting your books
Lesson 27: How long and how hard do you have to promote your books?
Words of Encouragement
Lesson 1: Should you even write that book?
Lesson 2: Persevere on your project
Lesson 3: Publish anyway
Lesson 4: Do things your way
Lesson 5: Handling rejection and criticism
Lesson 6: When competition replaces the comradery that we should have
Lesson 7: When money doesn’t come like you’d hoped it would
Lesson 8: Publishing more books despite _________
Lesson 9: We all make mistakes
Lesson 10: Know that growth is a process
Lesson 11: In Need Of: time and patience — the cream always rises
Lesson 12: Love writing and love your books so much that nothing can dim your passion
Suggested reading plan
This book has 88 lessons. I suggest reading one lesson per day. In 3 months, you will have more than a decade's worth of an author's knowledge.
Why do a reading plan? Nonfiction is a different breed of books. You aren't simply reading. You are learning. It's helpful to take in smaller bites of knowledge to better absorb the information. Doing a reading plan allows time to read, reflect on each day's lesson, think about what you want to do, and begin to apply what you've learned.
Let's be honest. This is a big book. It is packed full of information. Reading cover to cover as quickly as possible would be info dumping. It's too much to take in over a weekend. You need to be applying what you learn here. Look at this workbook like a class you can work at your own pace. You don't take a one semester class in one week. Neither should you rush this journey. Take your time. Read each lesson. Think about how it's relevant to you and your writing. Try some things. Don't only read this workbook; UTILIZE it. Get the most out of your workbook by working one lesson at a time. Read. Learn. Reflect. Think. Plan. Apply. Practice. Grow.
Why do a reading plan? Nonfiction is a different breed of books. You aren't simply reading. You are learning. It's helpful to take in smaller bites of knowledge to better absorb the information. Doing a reading plan allows time to read, reflect on each day's lesson, think about what you want to do, and begin to apply what you've learned.
Let's be honest. This is a big book. It is packed full of information. Reading cover to cover as quickly as possible would be info dumping. It's too much to take in over a weekend. You need to be applying what you learn here. Look at this workbook like a class you can work at your own pace. You don't take a one semester class in one week. Neither should you rush this journey. Take your time. Read each lesson. Think about how it's relevant to you and your writing. Try some things. Don't only read this workbook; UTILIZE it. Get the most out of your workbook by working one lesson at a time. Read. Learn. Reflect. Think. Plan. Apply. Practice. Grow.