| | | | | feature so it stands out and holds interest. Even in |
| As a writer, it is so easy to get confused and | | | | the early stages of writing, think ahead to the |
| lose focus with all the talk about getting a book | | | | future descriptors of your book--the title, |
| published. There's traditional publishing, | | | | summary blurb. How will you write that |
| self-publishing, various e-book formats, and | | | | descriptive material to grab readers' attention? |
| devices from Kindles to i-Phones. For a moment, | | | | 3. Tell a good story. Be sure to hook in readers |
| take a step back—and focus. Forget about | | | | immediately by starting your novel with a bang. |
| how or where people are reading. Concentrate on | | | | Develop those memorable characters readers |
| WHAT people are reading—and make sure, as | | | | love to love--or hate. Shake up your readers with |
| a writer, you provide a good quality read. At | | | | some twists and turns to keep them guessing |
| AuthorAssist, we coach our writers to adhere to | | | | and turning pages. Be sure to avoid the mid-book |
| the basic writing principles required for a quality | | | | sag by keeping up the pace throughout. Perhaps |
| book—and we have narrowed it down to the | | | | you will leave a loose thread—so that readers |
| following six basics. | | | | will want to read the sequel to your novel. |
| 1. Know your genre and your audience. A book is | | | | 4. Have your work professionally edited. Whether |
| a commercial product that falls into a standard | | | | you decide to traditionally publish or self-publish, to |
| category—or genre. Your book most likely falls | | | | get your book published it must be in tip-top |
| into one category or another--or a mixed genre | | | | shape. You have spent hours, weeks, months, |
| category. Know your genre and know your | | | | maybe years writing your novel. Now, you will |
| readers' expectations for that genre. If you are | | | | want to take the time to have it professionally |
| writing a science fiction novel, you are creating | | | | edited. A professionally edited manuscript shines |
| other-worlds in the future, the past, or | | | | because extraneous material has been deleted (as |
| somewhere else in time and space. Your readers | | | | well as grammatical mistakes and typos) so the |
| expect to be swept away on a fantasy | | | | work flows with ease. |
| adventure as they have been in other science | | | | 5. Give your novel a thought-provoking title. You |
| fiction novels. Not that you are writing a | | | | will be surprised how challenging and creative titling |
| formulaic manuscript, but you are adhering to | | | | your book can be. Share the fun by brainstorming |
| genre standards. You understand that readers | | | | with your friends and family. Or hold a contest or |
| approach a science-fiction novel differently than a | | | | poll. Have a title already? Has it been used before? |
| mystery or a romance novel. You are aware that | | | | Is it currently being used? There is no copyright |
| genre affects the setting, plot, the pace, and | | | | on a title, but be sure to do the research so you |
| even the title of your book. It also affects your | | | | know the background of your title. |
| query letter and which literary agents and | | | | 6. Create an eye-catching cover. Get acquainted |
| publishers you query. Subsequently, it affects how | | | | with current book covers online at and check out |
| your book is marketed and distributed. Become | | | | the book covers in your genre. Take careful |
| an expert in your genre by read extensively, | | | | notice of the thumbnails—and whether or not |
| including the popular authors in your genre. You | | | | they are discernible. The thumbnail is key since |
| may even want to participate in book and writing | | | | much of book selling is done online. Plus, you will |
| groups associated with your genre. In doing so, | | | | want to use the design on your business card, as |
| you begin to build readership for your book. | | | | a bookmark, or in e-mail blasts. Work with a |
| 2. Write what you know. Mark Twain certainly | | | | professional book designer to create the quality |
| followed his own advice in writing about Hannibal, | | | | cover your book deserves. It is a lifelong |
| Missouri, his boyhood roots. What about your | | | | reflection of your hard work. |
| roots or areas of expertise? Capitalize on all of | | | | Now, whenever you get confused by the |
| your unique experiences and the quirky people | | | | mind-boggling hype of the publishing world, sit |
| you have encountered. Perhaps you have kept | | | | back, close your eyes, and picture your name on |
| notes or a journal to refresh your memory. | | | | the cover of your awesome book. Keep the six |
| Enhance and embellish your story with your | | | | basics in mind as you write on. You are on your |
| personal observations. Be sure to create your | | | | way to getting your book published. |
| special hook. Give your novel a unique voice or | | | | |