Kim Wolterman & Bobbi Linkemer |
What to Do Before You Meet with a Book Coach or Ghostwriter
by Bobbi Linkemer
Thinking about writing a book is romantic. You have a
message to convey, or you know a lot about a particular subject, or you are
certain your own life story would inspire others. Maybe people have been
telling you for years, "Oh, you really should write a book!"
Perhaps you have also read that publishing a book is easier
now than it has ever been, which is good news for fledgling authors. If you are
really excited about writing a book, you may just sit down and begin. On the
other hand, you may realize that you could use a little direction.
So, you surf the Web, looking for a book-writing coach or
ghostwriter; the search engine provides you with many choices. You explore,
choose one, and call or email that person with your idea. Everything I have just described is almost
intuitive. You have an idea, you need help, you Google the kind of help you
need, and you follow up.
As a book coach and ghostwriter, I meet with many aspiring
authors whom, at first, are overwhelmed by the whole writing-publishing-promoting
process. Trying to grasp all the steps involved in bringing a book to fruition
can be daunting. My advice: Be prepared. Before you meet (by phone, on Skype,
or in person) with the book expert you have chosen, do your homework.
Then, you can participate in a two-way conversation about
your book and your goals instead of swimming around in a sea of confusion. If
you invest your time and energy on the front end, you are more likely to find
your first meeting not only educational but also energizing.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Am I really committed to this project?
It's no exaggeration to say you
have to be in love with your idea, because it takes real love, not to mention a
long attention span, to see this through to the end. Pick up any book you like
and think about what went into creating it.
- What kind of help do I need?
Here, the answer is fairly
straightforward. If you want to write your own book or have written it and want
it polished and readied for print, you need an editor. If you want to write
your own book but want someone to hold your hand all the way through it, you
need a book coach. If you have a solid idea but don't want to write it, for
whatever reason, you need a ghostwriter.
- Is my idea solid enough for a book?
There is a way to find out, short
of writing a full-blown book proposal: Answer ten basic
questions. If you give them serious thought and research the ones you don't
know, you should have a pretty good idea of whether you have a viable book
idea. It is better know up front than after you have written the whole
thing.
- Do I understand the book-writing process?
There are six steps involved in
taking a book from concept to completion. Each one is important—a link in the
chain. If you are unfamiliar with these steps, read a book on the subject.
There are many books on Amazon and in the public library. Here is one
suggestion: How to Write a Nonfiction Book: From
planning to promotion in 6 simple steps.
- Where am I in that process?
Once you have a sense of the six
steps, you will be able to identify where you are and whether you have missed
any steps along the way. Many new authors begin on the second step, which is
writing. That means you haven't worked your way through planning, which is
essential. Read up on planning to see why you should do it first.
- How do I want to publish my book?
This question may seem premature if
you are at the beginning of the process, but it is something to think about. As
you may have read, you do have several options. The two main ones are
traditional publishing and self-publishing. Within each, there are more
choices, but it's a good idea to choose one of these alternatives for
starters.
- Do I have a budget? How much can I afford to spend?
If you have no idea of the costs
associated with book coaching, ghostwriting, or editing, this can be a
difficult area for you; but if you have a ballpark figure in mind, it will
help. Suggestion: Start at $5,000, just to be on the safe side, though
ghostwriting fees will be higher.
- Am I willing to spend months of time marketing my book?
Writing a book is only half the
equation; the other half is publishing and promotion. No matter how you publish
your book—traditionally or by yourself—you are responsible for promotion. A
traditional publisher may provide some marketing assistance, but ultimately,
either you get the word out or your book remains a well-kept secret.
These questions are important for your own understanding, as
well as to prepare you for meeting with the expert you have selected. A book
coach, ghostwriter, or editor would ask the same questions. Without advanced
preparation, you probably wouldn't be able to answer them. Now, you can; and
even if you don't end up working with this person, you will both gain something
from your conversation.
About Bobbi Linkemer
Bobbi
Linkemer is a ghostwriter, editor, and the author of 16 books under her own
name. She has been a professional writer for 40 years, a magazine editor and
journalist, and a book-writing teacher. Her clients range from Fortune 100
companies to individuals who want to write books to enhance their credibility
and build their businesses.
http://www.WriteANonfictionBook.com
bobbi@writeanonfictionbook.com
314-968-8661
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