As promised, today I want to talk about more key considerations about writing your first book. The first one I did not give much thought to early on, though it is very important: estimated page length. How do you know before you start writing, how many pages you will write? You don’t. But, if it is a nonfiction book, you have a bit of an advantage. You can look at similar books, check out their length and decide if you want to go deeper or if there is now more new material about that topic than a few years ago. If you are looking at a novel, you may have to rely on your style, how easily words flow, how complex your characters and plot-lines are, etc.
So how important is page length anyway? We’ll, for starters, in my case I planned to write a book between 175-200 pages. What happens if I am off by one page? If it goes 201 pages, perhaps? It could wind up costing me an additional $1500 or so to have it published by my Indie publishing company. Equally disconcerting, it could raise the cost of the book beyond what might be palatable.
Next, a few words about copyrighting:
- You probably don’t need a lawyer (I did not).
- You can choose to copyright just the text or other photos or artwork you or someone else contributes.
- You can do everything online (including transferring the manuscript electronically) or apply online and mail the manuscript. The latter is more expensive and takes longer.
- The cost to do everything is $35-$85 depending on the complexity (number of authors, etc.) and which option you choose (mail or electronic).
- You are covered from the date you submit the manuscript and pay the fee. You will receive confirmation paperwork in a couple of months.
- If you get stuck or have questions, you can get live help or email help (takes much longer). Try to do this during the week and during the work day (9-5 EST). The folks online are very helpful.
Social Media
For me, this has been the most time-consuming, time-robbing, but totally necessary step. I have found the following helpful:
- Facebook (though mine is pretty much friends and family, I change these settings to Public when I post about my blog and book). Initially it was very helpful, but lately not so much.
- Twitter (probably the most helpful to me).
- Instagram (quickest responses)
- LinkedIn (best for networking with those who have similar interests and can extend your reach for networking). If I were younger and just getting started in a career, I would devote a lot more time here.
My recommendations (I’m still new at this, but found these to be useful):
- Try to set aside one or two daily windows of time to do all your social media (otherwise it will consume your entire day and interrupt your writing and blogging (and every other aspect of your life if you let it). I’ve gotten better at this, but I have been totally guilty of letting it run my life, at times.
- Check out some of the better known social media bloggers and writers. I have found the following folks helpful: Jeff Bullas, Tim Grahl, Nick Stephenson, The Social Ms, and Jon Morrow, Smart blogger.
- Lots of people use bot-like features to automatically reach out and respond to others to grow their following or worse (in my opinion) pay for followers. I have been growing mine the old fashion way (organically, one at a time, connecting whenever and wherever I can).
Speaking of Blogging:
- If you are writing a book of nonfiction I don’t know why you wouldn’t blog about it. One can feed the other and the blog is the perfect platform for your book.
- If you are writing a novel, I have seen some creative writers use their blog to pique the interest of their readers, while making a name for themselves on the web.
- Though I have a fair number of “unique visitors’ over the past 2 1/2 years, I have much to learn. I read other blogs and other posts and articles about blogging… and keep on trucking.
Good luck to anyone endeavoring to write your first book. I hope this discussion has been helpful. I’d love to hear from you if you have ideas or suggestions to help those of us taking the plunge for the first time.
Cheers!
Coming Attractions
- Wine Festivals
- Winery entertainment
- Updates on the goal of trying new wines – I’ll tell you what Ive tried recently. I’d like to hear from you!
- Update on my book, New Jersey Uncorked: A Snob-Free Taste of NJ Wine – Who is the publisher? When will it be published? Where can you get it? How much does it cost? Paperback? Ebook? All of these questions will finally be answered very soon. Promise!
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Share your experience here. Like what you read and see here? Consider subscribing and get your weekly pour of NJ wine right in your inbox. No spills. No mess. Just the facts + my opinions (but no fake news here).
