According to the Huffington Post, 80 percent of all Americans would like to write a book. We hear about the small minority of writers in the country that are making incredible money. It almost might be an addiction for some writers, getting innumerable rejections by publishers, while hoping for the one time that they might cash in. Maybe that is why there is such an allure to writing a book.
Since the odds are stacked against most people ever getting a book published if they aren’t prepared to spend the money and self-publish, we spoke to someone who is not a tradition author but has published multiple books. Dr. Jan McBarron received her M.D. From Drexel University College of Medicine and is board certified in Bariatric Medicine. Dr. McBarron has a distinguished honor in that she has both a medical doctorate, MD and a doctorate in naturopathic medicine, ND. This unique skill set allows her to provide answers thru a complimentary approach of traditional allopathic, prescription medications as well as the natural vitamins, herbal and supplements route. She served in private practice for over 30 years, specializing in non-surgical weight loss, and co hosted Duke & The Doctor, the award winning, nationally syndicated radio talk show.
Dr. McBarron was a professor at Columbus State University, has written countless articles, and conducted and presented clinical studies on natural supplements. She wrote the best seller, “Flavor Without Fat” as well as “Being a Woman Naturally”, “Hormonal Harmony”, “The Peachtree Diet”, and “Curcumin, The 21st Century Cure”.
Getting a Message Out –
Dr. McBarron felt that publishing a book would help her reach more people than helping individual patients one on one in private practice. Forbes Magazine suggests that other potential authors hope that publishing a book will demonstrate their expertise in their field to their potential readers.
Finding the Time to Write –
The Writer, an ezine, suggests potential authors put aside one hour a day to write and to guard that time zealously. In fact, they cited a Nielson statistic that most Americans are occupied watching five hours per day of television, so they suggested giving up just one television show per day.
Editing –
A few tips on self-editing:
- Read your work aloud first for meaning.
- Have someone else do the same and explain to you where they lost meaning. Those are the places where clarity is needed.
- Read again for editing, listen for pauses. That helps writers know where punctuation may be lacking.
- Have a copy of the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) on hand. For authors of both fiction and non-fiction works, CMS is your roadmap to proper writing
Publishing –
Publishing is where things go out of your hands, unless you self-publish. If you are simply trying to demonstrate your expertise on a given subject to your audience, then maybe self-publishing is best. It can take months or years for publishing houses to get back with you about the merits of your book, if they respond at all. As was the case for Dr. McBarron, you may choose to self-publish first and promote the book yourself. If it takes off, it will be far easier to get a publishing house interested in your work.
According to Writer’s Digest, if you do opt for traditional publishing, the process can take as much as 18 months to actually have the book’s first copies hit the stores. People who pursue traditional publishing will need an agent to help them promote their book. Depending on the publisher, the potential author will need to have three chapters fully completed and edited with a synopsis of the rest of the book’s chapters and other contents before the publisher even considers evaluating the book.
Promotion –
Radio: Dr. Jan McBarron and her husband enjoyed an award winning, nationally syndicated radio talk show (Duke and The Doctor) promoting natural health care. This type of promotion can help your book take off.
Print: Dr. Jan McBarron has authored newspaper columns, countless articles as well as clinical studies on natural supplements. In addition to having the local newspaper feature an interview on you or write an article the book, you can also issue a press release about your upcoming book and submit to the papers. If the book is on an issue that is topical and controversial, you can also submit a letter to the editor.
Social media: Inc. Magazine suggests that authors begin promoting the book in advance by developing mutually helpful online relationships with influencers. When your book is published, you can ask the influencer to read your book and to possibly introduce it to their audience.
The Balance Careers suggests authors target their social media advertising of their book for each platform. You can have your professional Facebook group tout your book in more depth, with the goal of conveying what is in it for the reader. You can share a chapter from your book through your blog or website. Friends in your circle can share the book to those who they know might be interested in the topic.
Amazon: Inc. Magazine has an intriguing recommendation for book promotion, especially if you need to get your book in the hands of more readers to review and like your work. They suggested getting on Amazon’s “Also Bought” list of recommended books. You can make the list by publishing on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. What this does is make your Kindle book version free five out of every 90 days. When the book is free, you can encourage as many people as possible to download your book. When the book has the requisite number of downloads, it will make the “Also Bought” list. Of course, you would like to have as many of those people who downloaded your book review it as well.
Dr. Jan McBarron reminds us that, if we have a strong message that resonates with others, there is likely an audience for a book we can write on the topic.
