Nina Amir has written a new book, The Author Training Manual (Writer’s Digest Books, March 2014). She blogged the book—or a good bit of the book—here on this blog. (To find out more about blogging books, read Nina’s bestselling book, How to Blog a Book, or visit her other blog, howtoblogabook.com.) Below you will find the posts that were published here, which include the first chapters through step #9, although these are not complete chapters. The final chapter and the sample work with agent and editor reviews, as well as the revised workbook, which is based on her Evaluate Your Book for Success workbook, does not appear on the blog.
In December 2013, Nina began registration for her new course, Author Training 101, which teaches the material in The Author Training Manual. The initial students were enlisted as beta readers for the new book. They received the first draft of the manuscript as she wrote it and provided feedback. The text that appears on the blog is a revised version of what they saw in most cases but not all. The course began in January and included submitting material to agents and acquisitions editors. The course opened again in September for one more live round of teaching. Author Training 101 is now available as a home-study with a live monthly coaching session. Click here to register for Author Training 101 home-study course right now so you can go from aspiring to successful published author.
To get a preview of the The Author Training Manual, you can follow along by clicking on the posts below. Only a selection of material (in some cases very large portions) from the draft manuscript has been included in on the blog, and some have been revised so they make sense taken out of context from the entire manuscript. The first 3-4 chapters have undergone LARGE revisions since they were posted. You’ll have to wait for the published book to see the awesome changes! :~) You can preorder the book on Amazon.com.
Chapter 1
Why Aspiring Authors Need Training to Become Published Authors (This is out of order in terms of where it falls in the chapter but was published on the blog first)
Why You Need a New Hat and Glass to Become an Author
Learning to Act and Think Like a Publishing Professional
Chapter 2
Every Book—and Aspiring Author—Needs a Business Plan
How Writing a Book Proposal Helps You Prepare to Write Your Book
Chapter 3
Replace “Alice Attitude” with “Author Attitude” for Publishing Success
How to Achieve Publishing Success and Reach Writing Goals
How Willing are You to Wear a Business Hat and Sell Books?
Chapter 4
Can You Tell a Publisher Why You Should Write and Publish Your Book?
Angles and Themes Make Your Book Idea More Marketable
Create a Successful Book with Focus on Reader Interest and Benefits
Do You and Your Book Have a Purpose That Promises Benefit to Readers?
How to Craft a Successful Title for Your Book
How to Write an Overview for Your Book’s Business Plan or Proposal
Chapter 5
What’s A Market and Why Do You Need One?
How to Describe the Target Market for Your Book
Is Your Book Idea Still Viable Even if Your Market is Small?
Chapter 6
Do You Know If Your Book Idea is Unique and Necessary?
How to Produce a Competitive Analysis of Your Book
Why a Competitive Analysis Improves Your Book’s Chances of Success
Chapter 7
A Table of Contents Provides a Map and Structure for Your Book
How to Create a Table of Contents for Your Book
Does Your Table of Contents Make Readers Want to Buy Your Book?
Chapter 8
Chapter Summaries Help You Prepare to Write and Sell Your Book
How to Evaluate Your Chapter Summaries Prior to Writing Your Book
Why It’s Important to Know the Length of Your Book Before You Write It
Chapter 9
Discover Ways to Brand Yourself and Earn More Money as a Writer
How to Sell More Books by Writing More Books
How to Spin Your Book Into Multiple Titles and a Brand
How to Become an Authorpreneur
Are You Financially Ready and Able to Write and Publish?
Chapter 10
Are You the Best Person to Write Your And Publish Your Book Right Now?
How to See Yourself Through an Acquisitions Editor’s Eyes
When is The Right Time to Write and Publish Your Book?
What is Author Platform and How Do You Create One?
How Big Does Your Author Platform Need to Be?
Do You Feel Compelled to Write and Publish Your Book?
Chapter 11