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.

The Write A Book Collection — the ultimate toolbox for writing and selling your books

These days it’s crazy to spend years writing a book, without having any idea as to whether or not you can make money from it. If you want to write, you can – you have a global market, which is hungry for information and entertainment. And YOU can provide it… even if you’re a brand new author.

As you may know, I write and sell many writing guides. I also sell information products in many other areas than writing.

I want to show you how you can do the same, if you wish. Your dreams of writing a book can be the spark which changes your life.

I’ve collected everything I know about writing and selling your books into my brand new Write A Book Collection: it’s the ultimate toolbox for anyone who wants to write and sell books in 2010 and beyond.

A writing student contacted me today. She’s a Web writer, who’s writing a novel. Unfortunately, she’s stuck.

To paraphrase, she says she’s almost halfway through the novel, and can’t see her way forward. She’s been working on the project for almost two months. Should she just give up and delete the material and start something new?

Here’s my response.

No, don’t delete anything at all.

It’s common to get stuck. Professional writers plough on regardless. They know that sooner or later they’ll pick up steam and will get inspired again.

They write anyway, no matter how they feel about the material. They know that they can always go back and delete material, but if they stop writing, the project is over.

You can move forward in many ways.

Here are some ideas.

* Choose a scene you’ve written , and then write the scene in the first person, from the point of view of a secondary character.

This gives you another viewpoint, which may jolt something loose.

* Give a primary character a secret, which he/ she is desperate not to reveal.

You’ll tend to procrastinate on a novel if the characters bore you — sometimes your story people won’t come to life. Giving someone a deep dark secret helps.

* Have you plotted out scenes from the rest of the book? If you haven’t, plot one scene — make it exciting — and then write the scene.

If you do this, you’ll want to go back and revise some of the scenes you’ve written. Don’t do that. Just keep writing scenes until you complete the book.

* Use your dreams — they can help you to write.

Tonight, as you’re falling asleep, think about your story people. Imagine them interacting. This can be enough to inspire you with some fresh ideas.

If you remember a dream in the morning, write it down.

Imagine characters in your novel for every night for a week before you fall asleep. You’ll be amazed: your story will come to life, simply because you’ll start caring about your story people again.

Write more – become a pro writer

Yes, you can write more and become an expert writer – even if you’re a world-class procrastinator.

Did you know that when you write more, your writing improves? Many of my writing students experience this. They find that when they write more, writing is easier for them – they’re not dominated by their inner editor.

My new writing class, “Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” is based on lessons I developed for my private coaching students to help them to write more, improve their writing, and make more money writing.

If you’re struggling with your writing, the class will help. The techniques you’ll learn in class with help you write fiction, nonfiction, and copy for business.

Discover how you can write more, improve your writing, and sell more of your writing to higher-paying markets.

Do you want to write a book proposal that sells? Here’s the answer: realize that it’s a sales document. You’re writing to persuade publishers that your book is worth investing in. You must persuade publishers that your book will make a profit, because too many books don’t.

1. Your Book in a Nutshell: Create a Blurb

Go to your local bookstore.

Spend half an hour or so there, reading the back cover material of books in both the fiction and nonfiction sections. You’re reading blurbs. The book’s author wrote the blurb and wise authors start a book by writing their blurb before they write anything.

Yes, your blurb needs to be written before you start writing your book: it encapsulates the book. Essentially, it’s a description.

The reason you write the blurb first is because any book morphs as you write it. As long as you have a blurb, you have a direction and a goal. Without a blurb your book starts of with a bang but never goes anywhere. I won’t say that it’s impossible to write a book without writing a blurb first half, but it’s much more difficult than it should be, and it will take longer too, because you wander down too many sidetracks.

Therefore your first step in writing your book proposal and indeed your book, is writing a blurb. Your blurb should encapsulate your book in no more than 100 words.

2. What’s Your Competition? (Competition Is Good)

Your book isn’t published in isolation. Around 1000 new books are published in English each and every week. Many of those books won’t make back the money that was invested in them. You can imagine that no publisher is interested in publishing duds. Therefore your publisher is very interested in the “competition” section of your book, as indeed you must be.

Write down five books, preferably bestsellers, which will be your book’s competition. Can’t find five books? If you can’t find at least five top-selling books in your subject area, then find another. Your book must have competition — competition shows that people are spending in that area.

Now, while competition is good, your book must not be an “me too” kind of book. It must have a point of difference. It must be appreciably different from its competitors, as well as compelling in its own right, before a publisher will consider it.

3. Build Your Platform: Marketing Is Everything

It comes as a horrible shock to most new authors when they discover that their publisher is not in the least interested in marketing their book. Even when you have a publisher, it’s up to you to market your book.

Marketing starts before you write your book.

These days, with the prevalence of blogs, marketing your book is easy.

Big tip: if there’s no interest in a blog on the topic of your book, find another topic. Start your blog before you write your book, and work hard to get readers. The more readers you get the more likely it is that a publisher will be interested in your book.

Your book proposal determines the fate of your book: it needs to be a professionally written sales tool. You can get help from Angela Booth. Not only is Angela a top copywriter, she’s also an author who’s been published by major publishers. Angela offers a complete book proposal service, as well as writing coaching. Discuss your project with Angela today.

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Can you write a book a year? It may be necessary for you to do that to achieve success.

Books | The book factory: Authors pressured to crank them out | Seattle Times Newspaper reports:

“In the various suspense genres — serial killers, international conspiracy, romance suspense and traditional detective fiction — the public’s memory can be short. ‘If you don’t write a book a year, it might not be devastating, but it helps to keep your face out there,’ said thriller writer David Baldacci, who says he doesn’t mind the pace.”

In popular genres, a book a year is nothing new. You need to be able to write fast and well.

If you’re a new writer, a book a year can seem intimidating. However, you can build up to it. It’s vital that you write, and keep on writing, even before your first book sells.

Write more – the key to your writing success

Yes, you can write more – even if you’re a world-class procrastinator.

Did you know that when you write more, your writing improves? Many of my writing students experience this. They find that when they write more, writing is easier for them – they’re not dominated by their inner editor.

My new writing class, “Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” is based on lessons I developed for my private coaching students to help them to write more, improve their writing, and make more money writing.

If you’re struggling with your writing, the class will help. The techniques you’ll learn in class with help you write fiction, nonfiction, and copy for business.

Discover how you can write more, improve your writing, and sell more of your writing to higher-paying markets.

Make money writing from home: ditch your day job forever

If you can write, you can make money writing from home. The Web has made it possible for ANY writer, no matter how new or inexperienced, to turn writing into a fabulous career. If you’re stuck in a soul-destroying, or just boring job, writing is your way out.

Fab Freelance Ezine helps you – subscribe and receive the free report: “Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report”. It’s 21 pages packed with information to help you to develop a six-figure writing career.

Writing a novel in the form of a letter or a diary (think Bridget Jones) is a tried and true device for writing your novel.

DEAR AMERICAN AIRLINES by Jonathan Miles uses the letter device.

Book Review – ‘Dear American Airlines,’ by Jonathan Miles – Review – NYTimes.com reports:

“‘Dear American Airlines,’ Jonathan Miles’s fine first novel, takes the form of a letter to the titular air carrier, which has stranded Benjamin R. Ford, the book’s middle-aged protagonist, in O’Hare Airport on the way to his estranged daughter’s wedding.”

So if you’re writing a novel and are stuck, write a chapter or two in the form of a letter. It’s a fascinating way to reveal more of your character and help him come alive for the reader – and for you.