How a Book is Born: One Author's Story
Judy Cullins Â© 2003 All Rights Reserved
Not all books come out whole, all at once. In fact, most books
ease out little by little. They have strange and wondrous
beginnings. Some come from speeches, some come from articles
or short stories. The saying goes if you write a short story or
article every day, at the end of a year you'll have a book--a big
book at that! But then, why think so big?
Twenty five years ago, I gave Speedreading and Memory seminars.
I thought of myself as a teacher or trainer, not an author. I
joined Toastmasters and National Speakers Association and
learned enough to strengthen my presentations so I could speak
to promote my personal growth skills business.
My audiences from corporate and community education wanted
handouts to take home with them. Seeing a need I revised and
edited my how-to articles, then bundled them into short books.
The articles came from my talks, wide research, and my own
experiences. I wrote the books I needed and wanted to read.
So can you! Check out your files today, and see what undiscovered
gems are there.
Only 10-60 pages long, these books were quick and easy to write.
I priced them for my health and personal growth audiences as well
as offering my proven expertise to corporations.
Presenting 15 public seminars a month, these stapled simple short
books sold well at the back of the room as well as leveraged
higher priced corporate training, all .enough to make two-thirds
my income for the next 15 years.
The irony of this story is that I did write a long book--sort of. At
160 pages, Passion at Any Age is complete, but my passion for
it has waned. Following the traditional route, I submitted a book
proposal to 30 agents. Five liked it, but their small offers and
knowing I'd still have to promote it myself, made me think. Too
long a time to publish and too little publisher support, led me
to give away a chapter at a time to my email lists.
Since my book writing, publishing and promotion knowledge made
me the expert, I now offer nine new eBooks on Online promotion,
Web marketing and copywriting, and ePublishing. I prefer to write,
promote and sell eBooks to help emerging authors, coaches, speakers,
and other entrepreneurs write and sell profitable books as well
My 20 years research into how to write a book has come full
circle. As a book coach, now, I encourage professionals to write
a book--just write a short book! Make it an eBook. Think
10-30 pages. You need to write your book and share your unique
message, but you also don't want to spend all of your time on it.
Begin your book today by writing an article that answers one of
your book audience's challenges or problems. You can then,
string the articles together. Include more stories, examples, how-to's
or exercises in your new book's chapter formats.
Before you know it, your book will grow. They always grow
longer than you think they will. You will have plenty of pages,
and each page will deliver practical, inspirational material to your
new clients and customers concisely and directly--the way they
Remember, Offline and Online potential book buyers want information.
But, they no longer want to read hundreds of pages. They don't want to
spend time reading a long book.
Will business people buy your book? Yes! They are hungry for
information--information that only you have and can say in your
unique way. Will your book sell? Yes! With just a few
significances such as "presenting useful, practical information," or
"presenting material that could change a life," or "creating a
deeper understanding of human nature," your book will be a
Since book coaching for 20 years, one thing for sure, my
clients have many more ideas than they have time to write a
book. Take one idea; write an article. You'll feel a sense
of completion. Don't worry how long it is or its format. After you
get four to ten of your articles edited, you can bundle the related
ones into a fine book--to sell electronically or through print.
About the Author
Judy Cullins: 20-year author, publisher, book coach
Helps entrepreneurs manifest their book and web dreams
eBk: Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Your Book Online
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