The most difficult part is over, you've weighed the pros and cons of traditional vs. self publishing and you've settled it in your mind...YOU are going to self publish a book.

Now, before you get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, your palms start sweating and you feel a little lightheaded...
I want to help you calm any unnecessary nerves that are looming about the self publishing process.

After all, you've already got an idea of what you want to write about and you know who you want to help with your book. You CAN write, publish and promote a book in less time than you ever thought possible. I can show you how...

But, before I go on with Lesson 3, please understand...

This e-course is meant to get your juices flowing and get you moving in the right direction-but it cannot and will not give you all the elements you'll need. It's impossible to pack 90-days worth of knowledge and "how-to" into a 7 lesson e-course...

What is possible, and what I will do is give you valuable information and compelling reasons you can't afford NOT to become a self published author. It'll be up to you to make it happen.

You've gotten a ton of information in just two days, in fact I just  received an email from an aspiring author who wrote, "If your coaching program gives me even half the information as I gotten from your e-course, I'm in!"

Are you in?.... Are you ready to get the full picture? You owe it to yourself to be part of a fellowship of like-minded authors who have successfully made it through the process of writing, publishing and promoting their book for profit and prominence.

If you're really serious about writing a book, and want to avoid the expense, frustration, and slow process associated with traditional book publishing then take advantage of my hands-on self publishing coaching program-immediate openings are available.

Whether you are just getting comfortable with the idea of writing your book or you've been thinking about it for a long time you're going to need a solid plan and a step-by-step process to take you from idea to author.

With that in mind, here's your lesson on the writing process:

Developing book publishing timelines:

In Lesson 2, Pros vs. Cons of Traditional Publishing, you found out about the one to three year process to bring a book to life when publishing a book traditionally. One of the primary reasons for this is that the timeline of getting a book from manuscript to press can be a very long process.

On the other hand, the timeline for taking you from idea to press in 90-days will be very compressed and will not include the following elements that often require up to 365 days or more to execute:

• Submit your chapter outline and first draft manuscript
• National marketing association membership
• Submit forms to Ingram and other wholesalers
• Choose publication date (usually 18-24 months away)
• Release manuscript to publishers editors for edit/rewrite
• Send bound galleys to pre-publication reviewers
• Submit book to Pre-Publication Book Reviewers 

Of course this is only a sampling of the more than 43 action steps that are done as far in advance as 52 weeks from the publication date when you are following the traditional (and very antiquated) way of publishing.

Your 12-week process will be much more stealth and include some of the following action steps:

• Conduct market research/develop a mission
• Write your chapter headings/subheadings and book content
• Determine your book title and subtitle
• Choose editor and cover designer
• Request price quotes from printers
• Register for copyright
• Obtain ISBN and apply for Library of Congress Number
• Determine fulfillment/distribution channels
• Write press release
• Create advance-sale promotion
• Promote, Market & Sell your book

Depending on your specific book genre, and target audience there are several other action steps necessary, however the steps listed are the cornerstone steps and with a focused plan you will be able to swiftly check each one off of your list and still have time to concentrate on writing and marketing your book.

The writing process:

So, you're ready to write a book? Well, the truth is it doesn't have to be a great mystery around the process. The web is full of countless products claiming that your book will virtually write itself, and while the process is simple, it's not as easy as the book writing itself.

But, there is absolutely no reason that you should fear the process, however you should be aware that there are some basics things that can be done to make the creation of your book a lot easier. Here are a few:

• Organize the book into chapters using the subheadings to separate your key points --ask yourself "What do I want to tell the reader about..."
• Give titles --even if they are just 'working titles'-- to your key points/ideas
• Do your research based on the key points/ideas
• Organize your notes and research materials for quick review
• Define the style of writing most appropriate for your audience--humorous, detailed/technical, conversational
• Prepare to write a chapter using the notes and research you've compiled--don't feel you have to write in chapters in any specific order
• Research and development team review; choose 3 to 5 respected people who agree to read your completed chapters and offer feedback along the way.

The book writing process can be made even less complicated by speaking... 

Speaking your book into existence:

Technology is a wonderful thing and I enjoy the many benefits during every second of my life, in fact we all do.

In 1877 Thomas Edison built the first device allowing recording and playback of sounds, the phonograph.  The conversion of acoustic waves into recorded information was accomplished by engraving aluminum foil on a rotating cylinder.

Fast forward a few centuries and you get the modern day benefit of that very ambitious invention, software that allows you to speak as it types for you. You can actually write your entire book without ever lifting a finger...well sort of.

I really have enjoyed the ease of use that comes along with software such as Dragon Speak, Naturally Speaking. Investing in this software can help you get your thoughts out so that you can organize them into chapters and sections of your book, after all, in order to write well, you should write the way you speak. If you do, your points will be easily understood by the reader. Speaking your book into existence is a great way for you to write a well written, easy to read and understand book.

Another great way to "speak your book to life" is by using a portable recorder that can be taken with you just about anywhere and will allow you to randomly record your thoughts and ideas for your book.

The writing process can also be shared. You can co-author a book with a respected colleague, business partner or friend, to get the best information and insight for your intended audience.

The benefit of a co-author partnership is that the writing is shared and that both authors ideas can be used to benefit the reader. The co-author partnership is also very good for reaching a wider audience, as both authors will have vested interest to promote the book and get it in front of the audiences they have the most influence and contact with.

Now that you have a better understanding of the writing process are you able to see how easily you can write a book? The content is already within you, you have already lived the experience, you already know what unique spin you want to put on your topic. Now it's time to draw out what you know and share it in a book.

It doesn't matter how you choose to write your book, the important thing is that you write the book. If you're really serious about writing a book, and avoiding the expense, frustration, and mistakes that most authors make, then take advantage of my offer to get a F-R-E-E 20 minute consultation on writing your book.

It's easy, just go to http://selfpublishingworkshop.com/callme and tell me your book idea and when you'd like to talk with me.  

There's more to learn, so...

In your next lesson, I'll cover title picking because people DO judge books by their titles and covers. Also, if you're having trouble staying focused you want to miss the tips in lesson four.


Until then…Bring Out the Author in You!