– by Jim Edwards
Nothing stalls publishing a book (print or ebook) like wondering or worrying about whether or not it’s “good enough” and ready to publish. I can tell you that some people obsess and never get their books out there. Other people throw anything “against the wall” and hope it will stick. The answer to the question “Is my book good enough?” lies between these two extremes. The following 5 points will help you know if your book is ready to publish.
Fulfill Promise?
Every book makes a promise. The promise to solve a problem or provide an escape lies at the heart of almost all non-fiction and fiction books. The title itself often makes the biggest promise of all, especially with non-fiction books. Can you honestly say that your book fulfills the promise(s) you’ve made, or will make, in exchange for people’s money and time? Does your book leave them better off after having read it than before they purchased it? If yes, then you’ve passed the first hurdle.
Great Content?
Rating a book’s content as “great” really rests in the hands of the end customers – your readers! With fiction, the ability to transport the reader into another world and make them feel emotions out of thin air makes a book great. Does it take them on an emotional roller coaster ride or flight of fancy that becomes real in their heads?
With non-fiction, content that solves a problem or leaves them better off and improved in their situation qualifies as “great” content. Again, your readers are the final judge and jury as to “greatness,” but can you look at your book and say it’s great? If yes, let’s keep going!
Grammar & Punctuation?
Nothing ruins a good read more than grammar or punctuation mistakes. Yes, I know it shouldn’t matter. Yes, I know they should pay attention to the content you’ve so expertly crafted. But when they run across a spelling mistake or grammar gaff, it trips up the reader like a banana peel on an icy sidewalk! In their minds, poor grammar and punctuation detracts – right or wrong – from the message and content of your book. Maybe it’s rebellion against oppressive high-school English teachers. Maybe it’s the need to feel superior to the author (you). The reason doesn’t matter. What matters is you MUST minimize you grammar or punctuation mistakes.
COOL TOOL ALERT: This free online tool will help you analyze both your grammar and punctuation better than some word processors. Plus, it helps you look at your writing from different angles. Check out http://paperrater.com for more (again, it’s free)!
Spice or WOW Factor?
Everybody loves that extra little something that makes a book more than they expected. With fiction, it’s often a plot twist they didn’t see coming in a million years. With non-fiction, the WOW factor often takes the form of “cool tools” or “insider secrets” or “amazing resources” that make things easier, faster, cheaper or just plan make their lives better. Whatever it is, make sure you consciously try to make your book BETTER than the competition by throwing in that extra something special that will make them want to tell their friends.
The Best You Can Do Right Now?
I look back at things I’ve written over the years and immediately see how I could write them better now. Even after 10 years as a syndicated newspaper columnist and over 15 years as a professional writer (I make money selling my writing), my skills can always use improvement.
When you put anything out for public consumption, especially in exchange for money, the question you should ask is, “Is this the BEST I can do right now?” If you can honestly answer “Yes, this is the best I can do right now!” then your book can go out the door to meet the world!
A wise person once said “Do the best you can, with what you have, where you are right now.” If you follow these 5 criteria and can look at yourself in the mirror and KNOW you’ve done your very best in each of these critical areas, then both you and your book are ready to take the next step.
By the way, if you want to get your first – or next – ebook written and published in a week or less, I can show you multiple strategies for doing that! You just CHOOSE the method that fits your style best, and then knock it out. Fast, simple, and easy! Check out 7DayeBook.com
Jim Edwards
Selling online since 1997, Jim is an Internet Marketing Expert, Author, Elite Mentor and Coach
He specializes in helping individual entrepreneurs, small business owners and authors to understand how to use technology to build your online business.
Jim is the author of dozens of ebooks, hundreds of webinars, over 1,000 blog posts and articles.
His flagship ebook “How To Write and Publish Your Own eBook… in as little as 7 Days” – newly revised and updated with V2.0 – has been helping book and ebook authors create their own best-selling ebooks since 2001! Get more information about Jim and how he can help you get more readers, make more sales, and skyrocket your credibility here => Click Here For The Best-Selling Solution!
I started out looking for a publisher for my newly created rhyming book of animals , sea, earth, sky, kitchen, attic, lawn, etc……….
Ok, A preschool, illustrated book on …. Animals
Because my daughter and so many other children and adults (teachers that are learning to speak english) desire the facts and will retain this info because of how I have written it and illustrated each and every animal. Our 3 year olds can retain the info and carry on conversations if they want to by learning from the books I write for them. Our kids are sponges ad will soak up knowledge as fast as we provide it.
Lynn, you are correct. There is an increasing realization of the value of illustrated books. Tony Laidig teaches a great class on ebook illustrations that you may want to look at. It means you can illustrate your own books, particularly those designed for kindle.
Hi,
Your eCourse book on Amazon was fantastic! I read it in the airport on Saturday and was blown away by all the content! I was flipping back from Evernote to Kindle constantly making notes on what to do. 🙂 Thanks so much!
I also left you a review on Amazon. 🙂 I see now how those are so important to writers.
If I may ask a question. Is there a good rule of thumb for the number of words or characters for your Title and Subtitle so that it shows up good on your cover page?
Hope this note finds you well. Have a great day!
Scott
I have a book, a children’s book that I want to publish, but I’m scared its not good enough for that stage.
Erica – I believe that if you have a message to deliver, there is always an audience for it. The key is connecting with your audience.
We have seen a huge increase in children’s books popularity with the advent of Kindle books. Not only are they more affordable for parents to buy, but as an author it gives you an outlet to “test” your material without the expense of publishing a color book.
I encourage you to go ahead and publish your book, Erica. and be sure to let me know when it’s live on Amazon!
I am writing book which is my autobiography. My daughter think it would be better to write on my first language so it is easily recognized from my writing that I am not fluent in English.
Even though English is my second language I find easier to write on English because now my thoughts are organised in English language.
Can you please give me some advice regarding language.
Many thanks
Stacy I understand. It’s always easier to write in the way you are comfortable. So I would recommend you do exactly that – write in English.
However, just based on this short question I can assure you that it is difficult to READ your English. So once you have written the book, hire someone to edit it for you. That way it will be more readable for your audience.
Enjoy the writing process!