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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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.

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Enjoy.

Want to write a book in just 20 minutes a day? If you’re been putting off writing because you “don’t have time”, consider that bestselling author John Grisham wrote his first book during his morning train commute. You can accomplish a great deal in short blocks of time.

Here’s a secret: I’ve always written my books in 20 minute sessions. Initially, when I wrote novels, it was because my children needed me. I got into the habit.

Although I’m a full-time writer now, I still write books in 20 minute blocks of time, because it’s efficient and eliminates procrastination. There’s a lot of theory around why working in short sessions is so effective, and I won’t bore you with it, just know that it does work.

1. What Do You Want to Write About? It’s OK if You Don’t Know

If you’d love to write, starting presents such challenges that many people wimp out.

So how do you start a book? You sneak up on it. It’s fine to start without knowing more than the simple fact that you want to write… something. Sit down. Do some free writing, or some writing exercises. (I post daily writing exercises and tips to Twitter, if you’d like to join us.)

Do this for several days; never force. You’re training your subconscious mind to be creative on demand, and this takes a little time.

2. Schedule a Time to Write Your Book

We’re all so busy these days that everything needs to be scheduled. Schedule the 20 minutes you’ll work on your book. It can be any time at all; even your lunch hour at work. Just schedule it, down to the minute, and when that time of day arrives, start writing.

3. Relax: Creativity Is Playful

I can’t emphasize enough that your creative inspiration is playful. You can’t force it. Write however, wherever and whenever feels good to you (as long as you schedule it). Fifteen years ago, I went through a phase of writing book-length material on a Palm Pilot. I know writers who favor a certain type of paper, a special fountain pen and color of ink. One writer I know writes in the bathtub.

Whatever your own creative self demands, give in to it.

4. Write Whatever Comes to Mind: Don’t Expect to “Know” Too Soon

If you’re writing nonfiction, even a creative form of nonfiction, you’ll usually know what you want to write about before you start — although you may not.

Fiction is different. Many novelists start off writing with nothing more than an image, or a feeling. Be relaxed about this. Your left brain is logical and wants to know exactly what you’re writing. However your creative right brain isn’t verbal, and doesn’t care. Trust your right brain: your innate creativity will deliver.

So: start to write your book in your spare time. Everyone can spare 20 minutes a day.

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