Do you want to write a book, and get it published? Many people do. In this article, you’ll learn some confidential secrets about the publishing industry which will help you to get your book in bookstores.

My own career as an author started over three decades ago, and I wish I’d known then what I know now. I would have avoided a lot of heartache and frustration.

Here’s the first secret: successful authors think in terms of several books, never of just one, because this is the way publishers think. It takes time to build your name, and win readers. When you’re a complete unknown, a publisher is counting on you to build your readership with each book. Publishers need to know that you will write a second, third and fourth book, not just one.

Here’s another secret. It will take time to sell your first book. It may take a couple of years, and then another year or two while it progresses through the publication process. Use this time wisely. Write more books.

You need to believe in yourself to become a bestselling author. Therefore, think in terms of three or four books, right from the beginning.

When a publisher is considering publishing your first book, your work habits will be a primary consideration. Publishers expect that they may lose a little money on a first book. If they’re convinced that you can and will write more books, and that you’ll win readers, you stand a great chance of getting a publication contract.

Yes, I know that it can be a challenge to think of your next books before you’ve completed your first one. However, if you do, you’ll stand a better chance of being published. Always be writing. An agent will consider your work habits before he agrees to represent you. Any publisher considering offering you a contract will also consider what you’ve written in the past, and what you’re writing now.

Successful authors line up their second book before they complete their first one. A book is just a book. It may or may not be successful. Publishers and agents know this. You should know it too — it should inspire you to keep writing.

Most aspiring authors worry about the publication of their first book while they’re writing it. This is a mistake. Focus on completing the book, and then on completing the next one.

Before you know it, you’ll be offered a publishing contract for several books, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful author.

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Read this heart-warming story, ‘Gobsmacked’ grandmother, 82, celebrates publishing her debut novel (and landing a three-book publishing deal) | Mail Online which reports:

“Teacher and theatre director Myrrha Stanford-Smith said she was ‘gobsmacked’ to be handed the three-book agreement, which saw her first work The Great Lie start appearing on shelves last week.”

What’s your excuse for not writing the book you know you can write?

“I’m too old” just got eliminated, didn’t it?

You’ll noticed that Ms Stanford-Smith got a three-book deal. This is why I tell new writers who ask me: “What do I do now?” when they complete a book, “Write the next one, of course.”

Do you want to make money writing a book? It’s easier than you think. However if you want readers, you need to write what appeals to them. If you choose the right topics, you’ll sell thousands of copies of your book and your publisher will love you.

Here’s how to decide what to write, so you know that you’ll make money from your book.

1. If You Want Readers, Target Those Who MUST Read Your Book

Targeting sounds complicated, but it’s not. If you can get the hang of targeting, you’ll know without a doubt that every book you write will sell.

Here’s how to target: look for readers who are desperate for a solution to a problem.

Your own problems can be a source of income for you, if you solve them, because any problem that you have is likely to be shared by hundreds of thousands of other people around the globe.

For example, perhaps you’ve managed conquer anxiety, or you lost weight with your own method. Either of these topics would make a great topic for a book because there are thousands of people who are desperate for solutions to these problems.

2. You’ll Find Your Best Ideas in Your Own Backyard

Ideas are everywhere. You can find them when talking to friends, or when watching TV.

Here’s an important tip: develop a solution for a specific problem, rather than one which is too general.

Here’s what I mean. Let’s imagine that you want to write a weight-loss book. There hundreds of weight-loss books published each year. Therefore a book on general weight loss is too broad; there’s too much competition.

However, if you decided to write a book on kids’ weight loss, or a book on losing weight after having a baby, your topic is much more targeted and is much more likely to find readers.

3. Set Yourself a Daily Word Count Goal

Writing a book, even a relatively short one of 50 or 60 pages, can seem intimidating. Relax. Although you may read a book in an hour or two, it will take you much longer to write it. That’s fine. You write every book one word at a time.

Schedule your your daily writing time. If you just have 20 minutes, that’s fine.

Next, set a daily word count goal. When you’re starting out, make this goal very low. For example, you could aim to write 50 words each day.

You can write 50 words in a couple of minutes and this goal is so low you’ll easily complete it, no matter how frantic your life is. When you set such a low goal, you’ll find that you easily exceed it, and this gets you into the habit of writing.

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Here’s an interesting story, Apple Reveals New Service for Authors to Sell Their Books Directly in the iBookstore | Mac|Life which reports:

“Apple sent us an e-mail today with details on how someone could sign up to sell their own books in the iBookstore. Their books would have to adhere to these criteria: each one would need to have a 13-digit ISBN, be in ePub format, validate against epubcheck 1.0.5, and contain no unmanifested files. If you are not familiar with any of these Apple suggests working with their aggregation partners.
“

This is an intriguing opportunity. If you’re reasonably techy it will be an option for you.

However, I think that most self-publishers will still want to work with an intermediary company to take some of the hassle out of the tech involved. Companies like Smashwords take the angst out of getting your ebooks online.

Are you contemplating getting your books into the iBookstore? Please share your strategy (whether you’re going it alone, or not) in the comments.

If you’re writing a book, here’s an unfortunate truth for you to think about: your book may not sell.

Or, if it sells, it may only sell a few copies. In general, 95 per cent of authors won’t make enough from their books to pay for their groceries.

How to ensure that YOUR book sells

Since so few books sell, and very, very few books sell well, it’s up to you to put the odds of your book selling well in your favor.

Luckily, it’s simple to do this.

Here’s how. (Please note that we’re talking about nonfiction, not fiction. We’ll discuss fiction in another post.)

Choose a topic which sells

If you’re writing nonfiction, work out how many people care about your topic. Are there magazines and online forums which discuss the topic? How many people are blogging in this area? Are there any Amazon bestsellers covering this topic?

If you’re writing in a very narrow area, the chances of your book selling well are slim.

Please note that if you’re writing a history, or a personal memoir, you’ll need to ensure that your book is involving and exciting. Look at the bestsellers in those areas, and read them.

Create a marketing plan for your book

If no one knows about your book, no one will buy it. Marketing is important. You need to get the word out.

Want to make $500 a day WRITING… from your home office?

Are you make as much money as you could be making? Chances are that you’re not. There’s no shame in this. Writers often struggle to find their own special niche.

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Enjoy.