The #1 question I get asked is – “How did you become an author?” After almost 10 years of creating my Little Shot picture book series, it’s time I share with you the steps to writing a book so you can become an author. My journey has been filled with lessons from The University of Hard Knocks, and I would love to save you from some of the frustrations I have experienced along the way. Be prepared. This experience will humble you, challenge you, and be unbelievably rewarding!
By the way, I’m not even a writer. No, this isn’t imposter syndrome. It’s my reality. I don’t even journal. I process life by talking. I taught English so I know the grammar rules and basics of writing, but I’m not someone who loves sitting down to write. This is one of the reasons I was hesitant to have a blog. What I have learned is when you have something to say, you will have something to write… even if you are an external processor like me.
In 6 Steps, I will give you the basics of becoming an author and am honored to be a small part of your authoring experience. I didn’t even know how to take my Microsoft Word Document and turn it into an actual book. Trust me, if I can do this, you can do it, too!
Step 1: Get Your Story Out of You!
Deep breaths. Your first draft has to be perfect. Choose all the right words right away. It needs to be marketable from the get go. Is this what you think? If so, you’re in luck! Your first draft is also called a rough draft. Because it’s rough. Not refined. Probably not even good. I know my first drafts usually require more edits than I can count and more eyes on it than just mine.
You can relax now and take the pressure off yourself. Simply get the story out of your head and your heart and onto paper.
Can’t get it out? That’s okay. With my first story, I couldn’t either. Here are a couple of tips to help:
1. Use sticky notes: Write what you can on sticky notes. You could include character details, setting, key moments, the main problem, how it’s solved, sentences that pop into your head, etc. Whatever comes to mind, you can write it down and put these notes all over your wall or a poster board. These are movable, you can cross things out, and move things around. It’s like creating a puzzle from your story and seeing how the pieces come together.
2. Dictate it: I could NOT get my story out of me, so I put my baby in her stroller, set up my phone, and pressed record. The first version of The Little Shot: Courage was dictated while on our walk. When I got home, I typed it into Word. Oh my, the days before AI. Ha!
Step 2: Research and Editing
Once you have your story on paper, now is the time to do research. How many words is it supposed to be? How many words per chapter for your age group? What are the “rules” for your genre?
My first draft was 2,500 words which is way too long for a picture book nowadays. In picture book writing, it’s important to note – the illustrations are supposed to fill in the gaps from the writing.
Use your favorite online search engine and get updated information on the requirements. Your local public library is also one of the best resources you have! Ask the librarian questions about your genre. Go look at the book recommendations given to you. Observe the cover, feel the pages, check out the binding, read it, and if applicable, study the illustrations. Study the details about the books recommended to you. Write down what you like and what you don’t like about each one.
This next part can be the hardest. It’s time to ruthlessly edit your story. If this is a book you are creating for yourself and your loved ones, leave it the way you want. If this is a book you are creating for others, it needs to be marketable and something people will buy. This means, some of the details are dear to you but may not make sense to the storyline or the reader.
For example, in The Little Shot: Focus, the original cookies being baked were sugar cookies with a basic icing which is what my grandma used to make. (They were SO good!) Miranda, the illustrator, asked if she could make them chocolate chip cookies instead because it would be more visually interesting and stand out on the page. Of course I said yes because I want these books to be special to my readers… to make sense to my readers… and that means some of the details important to me aren’t necessary.
While I consider beta readers to be part of the team (step 4), you could have them read it after you have edited it a few times. It is crucial you have other people read your story to give you honest feedback. Don’t just have people who will say, “I love it! Great job!” You need to have people who will give encouragement AND find places where it doesn’t make sense. The really good beta readers may even give you better word choices and will edit with the love and care you have given to your story.
Step 3: Choose Your Publishing Route
This step is going to be it’s own blog because it’s a big decision. It will determine the rights you have to your story, the flexibility you have when creating and selling, how you print, how it’s distributed, and the representation you will have.
These are your basic options:
1. Traditional Publishing – Small or “Big 5”
2. Self-Publishing
3. Hybrid Publishing
For now, consider how involved you want to be with the process. What are your strengths? What do you think you will have a hard time learning or doing along the way?
Any route you choose, hear me on this – YOU will mostly be responsible for your marketing and getting your book out there.
Step 4: Build Your Team
As already mentioned, beta readers and your publisher are key members of your team. Here’s a list of team members you could consider:
- Beta Readers/Editor
- Publisher – This impacts who does your printing, binding, storage, and distribution. Printing is also a separate blog post.
- Illustrator – You might want a technical editor who can put the words and illustrations together.
- Cover Designer – Your illustrator might be able to do this.
- Attorney
- CPA
- Bookkeeper
- Marketing Company OR Take Marketing Courses (I did not take that course, but it’s a free starting point for you.)
- Publicist or Literary Agent
- Mentors – SCORE, local universities, Small Business Administration, and interview other authors.
Step 5: The Business Side
I recommend an attorney and a CPA to make sure you have a strong foundation for your business. Is it going to be an LLC? C Corp? S Corp? Sole proprietorship? DBA?
You may be thinking, I’m publishing a book, is this actually important? Yes. If you have money coming in and money going out because of your book. You have a business, and it needs to be treated as such.
An attorney can help you set everything up correctly, and a CPA can make sure you are maximizing your tax write-offs and you are tracking everything correctly. It’s important to follow all the laws, and those change regularly.
Your computer, your phone, miles on your car, your office space, your paper, books you gift, etc can all be tax write-offs. You want to use those because being a business owner is more expensive than you may realize right now. I use the Hurdlr app to track my income, mileage, and expenses. You may choose Quickbooks or Excel. Make sure you’re keeping track of everything.
Step 6: Your Book Launch and Beyond
You’ve done a ton of work to get this point! Leading up to your book launch, you need to start doing teasers and telling people it’s coming soon. Be excited! It’s okay to be nervous, too. I typically don’t like to share a specific date because our team has run into so many obstacles personally and professionally for each book. Here are some tips to sharing your book:
- When you get your proof, you could record opening your package and capture the real time reaction. You have spent countless hours creating and dreaming of holding your book in your hands. It’s a special moment!
- Announce it in your newsletter.
- Do podcast interviews and talk about your book.
- Do press releases.
- Send your book to some people and have them post about it (tag you, use specific hashtags) on social media.
- Be a vendor at events.
- Do author visits – schools, libraries, or small businesses.
The marketing of your book never ends. Your book goes with you wherever you you go. Always have a copy in your car so you can show it to people. You can also keep a few copies in your car ready to sell!
Keep track of what’s working for you and what’s not working for you. It’s worth the time to take notes after each event or experience so you can make sure you’re investing your time where it makes sense for you!
Best wishes on your book!
I. Believe. In. You!