Four Things You Should Do Before You Write a Book
Most do number one last, and never do number two at all
It’s been a busy week around here. I opened up ad spots for the newsletter (find out more here) and did a huge chunk of pre-work on the new book. Not sure what pre-work is? You’re in luck. I’m covering some of it today. Let’s jump in.
Whether you’re writing a non-fiction book, a novel, or a collection of essays, here are four things to do, before you even start. The first is something that most authors do last, and the second is something that most wouldn’t even consider.
1. Write your blurb or book description
Writing your blurb is a great way to get laser focused on what you want to achieve with your book.
The blurb is traditionally printed on the back of your physical book, of course. But even if you’re only planning to produce an eBook version, you’ll still need a book description to post on Amazon and other online retail sites. A great book description is key to selling more Kindle books.
Your blurb (or description) should let readers know exactly what to expect. With a non-fiction book you’ll highlight what the benefits of reading are: what the reader will learn, the person they’ll become with their new knowledge, skills or insight. With a novel you’ll want to set up your characters and their situation, and ask a question the reader really wants answered.
Once you’ve written something that will make readers want to buy and read your book, keep it to hand as you write. Make sure you deliver on it.
2. Write your ideal review
Put yourself in the shoes of someone who just finished reading your book. What would you want them to say in a review? How do you want them to feel? What do you want them to have learned? Who do you want them to recommend the book to?
Keeping this review to hand as you write will help you keep in mind what your goals are. Not just your goals in terms of the story itself, but exactly how you want to make your readers feel.
Non-fiction writers will also find that the review keeps them mindful of what they want to teach, explain or communicate to readers. Your review can include the key takeaways you want your reader to find in the book or steps they’re taking as a result of what they learned.
3. Outline your book
This is a more common, and conventional, step. Some writers are complete ‘pantsters’ but most do at least a little planning.
Your outline can be basic (just chapter headings and main takeaways for non-fiction) or more detailed, with the basic action and plot points all in place for each chapter of a novel.
Starting with no outline or plan is a major reason why many new authors ‘get stuck’ and ultimately fail to complete a book.
4. Think about marketing
Marketing your book is every bit as important as writing it, and thinking about marketing opportunities before (and as) you write your book saves time and effort when it comes to launching it.
If you start building your audience of readers before you write your book, you’ll be able to ask them what they want to know about your topic, or what they love most about books they’ve read in your genre. Start finding a community of potential readers:
On Substack
On Medium
On social media
Via a blog or website
On Goodreads, and other sites aimed at book lovers
Through a regular newsletter
On other blogs aimed at your audience (through guest posting)
Other publications aimed at your audience (through freelancing)
When guest posting or freelancing, your aim is to get readers onto your email list. Include a link to it in your bio, whenever you can. Then you’ll build a list of potential readers for when your book is ready to launch.
I’m writing my next book now. It’s about how your writing can change the world. What do you think I should include in it?
Some thoughts from others I’ve been enjoying this week
How to Build Real Confidence in Your Voice from
Master Goodreads and BookBub: The Ultimate Author Presence Boost from
Does tagging improve discoverability? Results of my experiment from
What else I’ve been up to this week
Reading: Rebecca By Daphne Du Maurier (as part of my quest to re-read all my favorite classics that I haven’t picked up in years.)
Watching: The Handmaid’s Tale (which kind of inspired this article)
Listening to: A scrumptious selection of super summery songs (I picked my faves from this playlist).
Enjoying: Park yoga (it’s free all summer long if you’re in the UK)
This week’s Medium posts
No new posts on Medium this week, so here are a couple from the archives. Friend links, as always, so you can read for free if you’re not a member.
I Make Good Money From My Self-Published Book: But almost none of it comes from book sales
The One Mindset You Need To Embrace As An Online Creator: Because there’s only one guarantee in this industry
If you’re reading this online and aren’t subscribed yet, please consider a subscription (free or paid).
If you don’t want to subscribe, but do want to show support, you can:
Gift me a book I’d love to read
Buy one of my Success Kits (scroll down for a discount) or my eBook
Check out my recommended resources
Send me good vibes and positive thoughts
Many thanks in advance.
Disclosure: Some of the links in my content all around the web are affiliate links. If you buy through me, I may earn a commission. Find out more here.
P.S. Help yourself to my list of free tools for writers and a 50% discount on my Freelance Writer’s Success Kit (discount is ‘baked in’ at that link - no coupon required).
Medium | Gumroad | My eBook | Popular Posts | Resources For Writers
I love the idea of writing the ideal review!
I never thought about writing my own review for my book. It makes sense to put myself in the reader's shoes and look at my book from their perspective. Thanks for the tip.
Also thank you for the mention.