You’re thinking of writing a book and want to know how long it will take. Well, it depends on a number of factors.
Category: Writing a book
Starting Your Children’s Book – There’s No Time Like Now
There are so many ‘time’ quotes. One that comes to mind is: “No such thing as spare time. No such thing as free time. No such thing as down time. All you got is time. Go.” ~ Henry Rollins Another one is: “We all have time to spend or waste, and it is our decision…
16 Reasons Why You Should Publish a Book
Carolyn Howard-Johnson Author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers There are naysayers enough to fill every dark crevice in your defense against negativity. When people telling you not to publish a book (no, I won’t list all the reasons they will give you), here is a list for you to check…
Should You Really Write That Book?
I read an interesting article at The Outline. It starts off by demolishing two diehard myths: 1. Everyone has a book in them. 2. Any story can be turned into a book. We have to keep in mind though that there are two very different publishing models or paths. Let’s go over myth #1. The…
Traditional Book Publishing – Contract to Sales to Career
You’ve chosen to write books, possibly children’s books, and you’ve done it right. You did your homework and learned the craft of writing. You created a polished manuscript and submitted it to publishers. And, knowing it’s not necessarily the best writer who gets published, but the one who perseveres, you were steadfast and didn’t let…
The Ghostwriter
She’s Invisible…She’s Powerful…She Helps People…She’s the Ghostwriter! What’s the essential characteristic of a ghost? Invisibility. Well, that’s exactly what a ghostwriter is…invisible. And, the ghostwriter is a powerful tool and a huge help to people who can’t seem to get their ideas into readable and publishable stories. Or, for people who don’t have the time…
The Front Matter – Before the Story Text Begins
I get lots of questions from my clients as to what comes after the story is written. While a lot of the questions are about illustrations, what’s been coming up more and more is about the pages that come before the story text begins. The pages before the story are called the front matter. Just…
KDP – eBooks and Print Books Now All in One Place
I guess it was only a matter of time, and that time is now. KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) now offers publishing in paperback. It’s a print-on-demand process, so there are no upfront costs. KDP will subtract the printing costs from your royalties which will be 60-70% on the list price you set. And, there are…
Writing with Focus
You have a wonderful idea for a story. Maybe it’s a mystery novel, a children’s middle grade story, or a picture book. Maybe it’s a young adult. You know what you want to say, or convey, and you start typing away. This is the beginning of every story. But, we should backtrack a moment and…
Writing a Book – 6 Tips to Hiring a Freelance Editor
Will hiring a freelance editor ensure you pitch the perfect game? In writing terms, will it ensure you get published? Do you need an editor? There are a number of pros and cons related to whether you should hire a freelance editor. Some writers benefit greatly from the experience while others have a difficult time…