Ten Things You Should Know to Get Published (Part 1)

Whether you already have a manuscript you want to get in the hands of a publisher or you just have an idea for a book, there are at least ten key things to consider.

Here are three:

1. Passion – Be passionate about the topic of your book ‒ not just about the idea of writing a book. There is a difference! Passion for your topic can be felt, even touched ‒ and it communicates to your reader. Your audience feels it. This work that you spend hours preparing to unveil to the world needs to come from your soul, flow through your fingers, and power the keyboard. Or, if you choose to dictate your book (more on that later), it should come through your voice.

Passion is where your heart is, what fires you up and gets you going each day. It drives you to find new ways to communicate your message. Think of it as a sunset in Maui ‒ each one differing ‒ even moment-to-moment! ‒ in colors, tints, and hues; but, still driving the artist to express its essence. Your passion should be the same ‒ constantly forcing your rework of topic or theme and pursuit of different ways to communicate it. It drives pursuit ‒ never finding arrival.

2. Be a Storyteller – People remember stories and they relate them to their friends, family, and co-workers. As they do so, they become evangelists for your story and (if you tell it right), your passion. So, don’t just convey information. Put some life – your life – into it!

Recently, my publishing company received a manuscript that supposedly presented the story of a World War II veteran, captured and held by the Nazis. Instead, the manuscript just went on and on about this man’s life, where he grew up and – in short – it was a family biography. Only one paragraph told about his capture. It was such a letdown, that became a putdown, as in a book that would be put down by its very disappointed reader. Inquiring, we learned the ‘author’ had hired a ghostwriter who had no passion for telling any story about the capture or internment. That lack of passion certainly showed ‒ by completely missing this ‘author’s’ real story ‒ at least, the story pitched to us.

Good stories are the ‘memorable communications air’ we breathe. People want to ‒ and actually long to ‒ be captivated by a story. We want something that relates to us or something we can relate to.

While there is a set way to create stories, you must decide how to communicate your story.

With Leadership Book, you can write it ‒ or actually tell it!

We understand that some communicators are verbal and love the nuances available with a spoken story, while others communicate their passion best through its visual presentation and the tactile ‘feel’ of a written message in its print medium.

Thankfully, some readers prefer that visual presentation or that ‘feel’ of print-on-paper books; some e-books, such as Kindle; and still others like to (or can only find time to) listen to audiobooks, for example, during long commutes.

Your task is to decide what story you are passionate about communicating and then choose how you will do it. Then, write your book ‒ or write your audio-script!

3. Be Reader Conscious – As you write, think about every sentence – and even imagine – its audience reaction. Will they be moved, passionate, or fearful when they should? Will they laugh or cry at the right times? Imagine your audience. How old are they? Where are they in life? Narrow them down to who really needs to hear your work. You may think, ‘The wider my audience is, the more books they will buy.’ But, a ‘too-wide’ audience will never become the fans who will evangelize your book for you. So, focus on your real audience and you’ll create a fan base that will share your passion and spread the word about your book.

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The Bottom Line: give the reader what they need … or you won’t sell any books.

Your goal is for the readers to not only read the book for themselves; but, to tell others about it and – even better – buy extra copies for their friends and loved ones. 

Next time, we’ll look at several more of the Ten Things You Should Know to Get Published. 

Got a question?  Send it to Leadership Book!

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If you have a story to tell, let Leadership Book help you tell it!

Leadership Books Publishing is an emerging powerhouse in book publishing. We’ve joined the two worlds of traditional and self-publishing into one company that can help do it all. Our capabilities and relationships allow us to create targeted and integrated book campaigns that mobilize high-profile contacts in your niche, capitalize on word-of-mouth marketing through social marketers, and extend your reach into the most prominent media publications. Our authors have the unparalleled service of an Executive Editor, one who will work with you in putting your story ideas into book form. Once that’s completed, our professional designers will work with you to design the cover and interior to make your book ready to sell.

Leadership Book markets your book by distributing to every major book seller on three continents.

About Michael Stickler

To set up an appointment to speak to a Literary Agent:
Email: Alfredo Baguio
Call: (702) 605-4354