Join the ePublishing Gold Rush:
How to Publish Your eBook for FREE on Apple’s iBookstore™, Amazon’s Kindle™ & Barnes & Noble’s Nook™
Proven Simple Steps, Shortcuts & Insider’s Secrets with Real Examples Every Step of the Way to Make Your Book Dreams a Reality
BY PAT MIXON
Copyright © 2011 by In(FUN)it Publishing, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
No part of this book may be reproduced (by any means) without the express, and written consent of Pat Mixon and/or the publisher, In(FUN)it Publishing, LLC, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This publication provides the Author’s opinion in regards to the subject matter contained herein. Neither the Publisher (InFUNit Publishing, LLC) nor the Author (Patrick M. Mixon) intends, with this publication, to render any legal or other professional advice.
All matters discussed herein are known to be in accordance with all Federal and State ordinances with regard to gambling and the subject matter discussed herein does not, to the best knowledge of the Publisher or Author, break any Federal or State statutes.
The Publisher and Author disclaims any personal liability, loss or risk incurred as a consequence of the use and application, either directly or indirectly, of any advice, information or methods presented herein.
Cover photograph from Amazon® Inc, USA courtesy of Creative Commons. Second cover photo from Sylviesays.com courtesy of Creative Commons. Cover art pictures have been modified.
YouTube™ links and embedded videos used under limited license from YouTube™ per the YouTube TOS. See YouTube Terms of Service for more information. YouTube™are trademarks of YouTube/Google Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The Kindle®, Kindle Store® and Amazon® are trademarks of Amazon Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The Nook®, Pubit® and Barnes and Noble® are trademarks of Barnes and Noble Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The iPhone® iTunes® and iBookstore® are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The Google Books®, Google Adwords® and Google Analytics® are trademarks of Barnes and Noble Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
This publication provides the Author’s opinion in regards to the subject matter contained herein and is for information purposes only. No representation of similar results or success is made by either the Author nor the Publisher.
Discover other titles and information by Pat Mixon at Smashwords.com:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/PatMixon
This book is also available in Print at most online retailers.
See the author’s website at www.PatMixon.com for bonus materials, additional videos, and other information.
Other Books by Pat include his sports bestseller:
To contact Pat Mixon or to be placed on his mailing list to receive his newsletter or free updates on new books, click the “Contact Me” button on his website: http://www.patmixon.com/JoineGold/JoineGold.html
Kelly,
Your love is the true secret of life. Thank you for loving me.
Love,
Pat
STEP 2: HOW TO FORMAT- MAKE IT POP & MAKE IT INTERACTIVE
CHAPTER 1: MEMO FROM THE AUTHOR
Dear Soon to be Published Author,
This book you’re reading is actually different than any others on the subject. That’s because I’m going to show you step by step how to get your eBook published for FREE on Amazon’s Kindle bookstore, Barnes & Noble and Apple’s iBookstore. I’m going to show you real secrets & tips, how to capitalize on this new media age “Gold Rush” by making your eBook INTERACTIVE, and I’m going to give you a real life example of each step by using my bestselling sports book, The Kobe Code, as a guide.
This how-to book came about because after having published five books, including ones under a pen-name, the same question kept getting asked by friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. How did you get your book published on Amazon or Apple’s iBookstore?
Believe it or not, is was so much easier than I ever thought or heard. As more people began asking me how do it and do it correctly, I realized this wasn’t just good information for my friends. This was something that should be available for everyone.
I want to get something out of the way before we even tip-off. The biggest myth about publishing on Amazon, Barnes or Apple is that it will cost you money or is difficult. Totally the opposite. You can publish an eBook FOR FREE. And, I’ll show you how to have a high quality, printed version of your book for under $10 and never have to buy inventory or get multiple copies made.
But the one thing I didn't want when writing this book was to be like every other basic “how to” book on ePublishing. That’s because most of all the other eBook publishing guides have information that isn’t really that helpful. Most of it is just a ton of information left for the reader to sort through and figure out.
So, when I found myself telling people how to get published, I found myself providing the details the way I would like. Step by step. Nothing for you to figure out. That was the key.
One of my mantras is “Results Really Do Matter” and I use this like a compass to make sure I deliver, to you, my reader. I believe I do and I trust by the time you finish this guide and you have the personal satisfaction of having your book published on Amazon, you will too.
I want you to know that there are three distinct differences between this book and any other on the subject:
Real Secrets & Tips. I’m going to provide real, step by step, tips and secrets that I used and accomplished, not only the goal of getting your writing published, but done like a pro. I’m talking quality. And, I’ll give you the short-cuts and time cutting methods I used to get your book published on Amazon for your printed version, Amazon’s Kindle e-reader, Barnes & Noble’s online store and Apple’s iBookstore through iTunes quickly. Most importantly, I’m talking Practical. Real, easy steps to not only publish your book but how to write it, format it and get it done.
New Age Media making your book Interactive. Whether you realize it or not, this is the Gold Rush days for ePublishing. The entire media world is shifting to a new age. And, ePublishing is on the forefront while traditional publishing is going the way of dinosaurs, music, and video stores. So, I’ll show you how to capitalize on all the new ways to make your book have all forms of available media. I’ll show you the key to make your book Interactive and how doing this will set you apart, make your work standout. That’s because we live in a new age of short attention spans. If you only offer words and long text, you’ll lose your reader. But ePublishing allows you not to make this huge mistake. I’ll show you how to incorporate videos, photos, and website links directly into your eBook.
Real Examples. I’ll take you through the exact details of how I published my non-fiction sports book on Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant called The Kobe Code. This book happens to be the #1 biography on Kobe Bryant on Amazon and is in the Top 5 of all basketball books sold on Apple’s iBookstore/iTunes. You’ll see how I made it interactive and a bestseller.
Like I do when telling my friends how to get their book published, I won’t waste your time on unnecessary stuff. So, I’ll start off with a little, and I mean a little, background on ePublishing, the New Media Age, and some other interesting tidbits, but basically, we’ll jump right to it.
You bought this book to get published. That’s what I will help you do. This book is all about Practical. It’s like the classic line that writers say. If you want to be a writer, then write. Well, if you want an eBook, then let’s get you an eBook.
Let’s get started.
Pat Mixon
May 2011
CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW OF ePUBLISHING
The Boom in ePublishing
We’re all living in exciting times, especially if you are a writer or have a book you’d like to get published. That’s because these are the “Gold Rush” days for ePublishing. There was a video in the early 1980‘s called “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Well, the same could be said for traditional books. eBooks killed the Printed Book.
We live in a time now where technology is not only moving at the speed of light but everything we need is on our smartphone, laptop or now tablet. Companies like Amazon and Apple have change the way we read, not just newspapers, but books and magazines. And, it’s only the beginning. The iPad and tablet wave has started a revolution. And, eBooks are only going to grow.
Currently, eBooks constitute only 8% of US sales. But this figure will grow rapidly over the next few years. Goldman Sachs recently forecast that sales of eBooks in the U.S. will increase 47 percent each year until 2015, with eBook sales reaching $3.2 billion by 2015.
Read more in these links:
http://www.futureBook.net/content/charting-global-eBook-market-exclusive-data
http://hubpages.com/hub/Kindle-Price-Cut
http://www.dypadvisors.com/2010/07/20/eBook-sales-soar-for-amazon-apple/
And, Amazon just announced that they are selling more Kindle eBooks than Printed. For real. That’s not a misprint. Wow!
Here’s the article:
Amazon Now Selling More Kindle Books Than Print Books
Amazon began selling hardcover and paperback books in July 1995. Twelve years later in November 2007, Amazon introduced the revolutionary Kindle and began selling Kindle books. By July 2010, Kindle book sales had surpassed hardcover book sales, and six months later, Kindle books overtook paperback books to become the most popular format on Amazon.com. Today, less than four years after introducing Kindle books, Amazon.com customers are now purchasing more Kindle books than all print books - hardcover and paperback - combined.
"Customers are now choosing Kindle books more often than print books. We had high hopes that this would happen eventually, but we never imagined it would happen this quickly - we've been selling print books for 15 years and Kindle books for less than four years," said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO, Amazon.com. Since April 1, for every 100 print books Amazon.com has sold, it has sold 105 Kindle books. This includes sales of hardcover and paperback books by Amazon where there is no Kindle edition. Free Kindle books are excluded and if included would make the number even higher.
I like to use the metaphor of online sales. Back in the late 1990‘s, when the internet first got really going, when e-commerce really was born, online sales were small compared to brick and mortar, real world retail. But swiftly, in a span of only a few years, online sales catapulted and it seemed everything could be purchased online.
The same wave that occurred with online commerce is happening now with publishing. This is the dawn of what has been called the “New Age of Media” or some even call it “Media 2.0.” I’d call it the second generation of the internet or the new Digital Age.
And, leading this charge, on the front of this massive wave, is the way we read or consume our information.
The Kindle, Nook and now the iPad have revolutionized our reading and, most importantly, our viewing experience. We not only can read text but view pictures and now watch videos. We live in an interactive world and it comes to a crux on these new media devices. Even our Smartphones carry the same readers and software that these laptops and tablets possess. And, everything is synced between all of our devices.
My iPhone talks to my laptop which syncs to my iPad. I can read an eBook on my iPhone and then pickup my iPad and keep reading from the same spot. Even my wife and I can share the same books with our Kindle or other reading devices. We now have the ability to have thousands of books on a single device.
Get excited. This is the start of a new age. If you aren’t convinced yet, then think of how music changed in the last 10 years. With the release of iTunes and the iPod, Apple re-invented music and changed the game forever. Record stores are dead and CD’s are on the endangered species list. That’s because the MP3 player revolutionized how we buy, listen and hold our music. All of those physical record libraries, that CD tower, went away when we could hold all of our songs on our iPod. We could buy our music online, it would download immediately to our device, and we could be listening to our musics in minutes.
Well, publishing is now going the same way music did. Borders Bookstores has gone bankrupt and the other leading bookstore, Barnes and Noble, is rapidly trying to re-invent itself as an online retailer. Sounds familiar, huh? Just like what occurred in the music industry.
And now, as in music, you can buy your books online, download them immediately to your reading device (i.e.. Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc.) and you’re reading your new book in minutes. And, you can store hundreds, if not thousands, of books on your device or an external harddrirve.
But the real revolution in publishing is what I call “The Interactive Movement.”
eBooks and ePublishing are enriching our reading experience. We not only can read text but we can pop out to websites via links in the eBooks and we can view pictures, pull up maps or even watch videos that are either embedded directly within the eBook or linked. All of this adds to our enjoyment and enhances not only our reading experience but the author’s or writer’s ability to tell their story or subject in a more detailed and alive manner. It’s all very thrilling.
Lastly, even traditional publishing is nearing extinction. Mainstream publishers such as Random House, Simon & Schuster, Harlequin are all scrambling to jump on the eBook wave. They have or are starting new eBook Imprints, basically divisions solely focused on this eBook revolution.
And, this ePublishing boom has “leveled the playing field” between traditional authors and self-published ones. That’s because everything changes online. It all comes down to content, quality and price. Self-published is no longer the red-headed step child.
Fiction writer John Locke, a self-published author, just crossed one million in eBook sales on Amazon. He’s like the Jackie Robinson of this new age, having joined the big boys and knocked down all the good old boy barriers that traditional publishing houses used to throw up. They no longer can and are getting beat at this new game.
Here’s another super success story.
Click Link Below to watch directly from YouTube
Or, watch this embedded video if your eReader will display it:
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1qWOy4p4MvM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Shorter Attention Spans
The final change in our consumption of media is our shorter and shorter attention spans. In this new millennium, we’ve taken multitasking to new heights. People watch TV and surf the Internet at the same time. They talk to a friend across the dinner table while texting someone else. And, they check their FaceBook postings while watching a YouTube video. Technology is not only moving faster but so are we.
As a result, we want more and more exciting media. That’s why the eBook revolution is so exciting. It can deliver on the “Interactive” promise and address people’s shorter attention spans.
You can give a reader not just prose and long text but videos and links to keep them interested. Of course, you say, this is important for non-fiction. Well, we’re seeing more and more fiction, yes fiction, authors going the Interactive route, with videos, links, etc. There’s even a bestselling author whose book was so interactive, after every couple of chapters, you’d pop out to his website and watch a high quality short film with known actors that kept the story going. All of this is to keep the reader’s interest high, connected and enhancing their storytelling. You can email me and I’ll share this author’s name and book. You’ll know who he is right away from his success writing and producing on TV.
So, by wanting to get into the ePublishing game, you’re on the front end of this growing wave. It all starts now. And, the key is to not only do it right but quickly and for as little or no cost as possible.
I’ll show you how to get into this right now.
Types of ePublishing
In this emerging digital age, ePublishing mirrors the old print world in what is produced but in so much more in-depth and broad ways. And, while ePublishing still falls into three traditional categories, what could now be called a non-fiction book may be quite different from the one your parents read twenty years ago.
The basic categories break down as follows for Types of ePublishing:
1. Non-fiction
2. Novels
3. Magazines
But like I just mentioned, the fun is less in the category and more in what you do with it. That’s because presentation and story-telling have changed. You can now do it in such visually compelling and enticing ways.
If there’s one big takeaway from this section, it is simply this:
Prose is No Longer King.
This doesn’t mean readers don’t read, but you don’t have to do it anymore simply in a “text only” manner. You can add pictures, videos, links and many other eye-catching and interactive tools.
Don’t get me wrong. The eBook world still breaks out into genres and you’ll definitely need to now which one your writing belongs in. It’s just that like everything else, the definition might be shifting.
So, as we proceed, just keep in mind whether the book you want to write falls into one of the three general categories above.
Why Publish Your Book on Amazon’s Kindle?
Amazon struck first in this new digital age, mimicking Apple’s success with the iPod and iTunes. If you think along those lines, then you’ll understand what Amazon did regarding the eBook world.
Here’s a link to the Kindle Store on Amazon:
They launched a new reading device called the Kindle but also simultaneously brought online the Kindle store. Just like Apple, you could now buy a Kindle and then go to a “one stop shop” place called Amazon’s Kindle store. There, you could sample books and then buy. You could also buy nearly as many books as you could possibly read and have them all stored on your one reading device, the Kindle. Just like with the iPod, you’d have your books with you whether you went and whenever you wanted. Amazon even upped the ante by enhancing subsequent editions of the Kindle with 3G and Wi-Fi access so you didn’t even need your computer to get more books.
The Kindle changed the game. And now, others have followed and are looking to surpass Amazon. Barnes and Noble launched their version, called The Nook. Apple wasn’t far behind with their iPad and iBookstore. All the offerings are similar, providing both the reading device and the online store to buy your eBooks. And, a clear winner hasn’t yet emerged and might not.
But as an author, it doesn’t matter who wins this e-reading device war, because I’ll show you how to publish your eBook on any platform.
For now, however, let’s stick with Amazon as they are the leader currently. So, back to the focus of this section.
So, Why Kindle?
-Leader
-One stop
-Easy
-Free to publish
-Max exposure
Leader:
As I’ve mentioned, Kindle and Amazon currently have the market share lead at XX. That lead has narrowed in the last year and probably will continue to do so, but they are the leader. They are the Kleenex. When you think of eBooks, you still think of Kindle. While I want you to publish your eBook on all platforms available and be ready for even new ones, we’ll focus our initial efforts to publish on Amazon. All our work will then translate easily and effortlessly to the other contenders.
One Stop:
Just like Apple did with the iPod and iTunes, Amazon has done with Kindle. It is a one stop shop for e-reading needs. You buy the Kindle or even use the Kindle App for iPhone or Android and then you buy books on the Kindle Store on Amazon.com and you’re off and reading. You can even share an account with family or friends, allowing you to only buy the book once and Amazon has even recently added a feature called “lending” which allows you to lend a book to anyone for a designated period of time, just like a real book.
Amazon’s thought of everything and you’ll be able to take advantage of that because you will publish there.
Easy:
Amazon makes publishing your book very easy. So much so, it consists of really only three parts: A Cover, the Inside of the Book, and all relevant Sales data. You can literally publish your book in less than an hour when you have those three parts ready.
We’ll get into the details of each of the above and the exact steps shortly, but just keep in mind right now that Amazon stands for Easy. That’s all that should matter to you, as the author who wants their book published.
Free To Publish:
That’s not some infomercial or tease. That’s a fact. To publish your book on Amazon and Kindle is FREE. Yes, completely free. There is NO cost to you to go through the process to publish your eBook with Amazon. And, Amazon has a sister company that can publish the printed version of your book for under $10. That’s not a tease either.
Amazon is author friendly. You get to publish your book for free and then you get 70% of all sales. Amazon makes money by your book selling and that’s why they take 30%. So, you only pay Amazon when you sell. There’s literally no cost to publish your eBook.
That’s probably the most attractive and exciting point of the entire ePublishing wave. I can publish my eBook for FREE.
Maximum Exposure:
At this point, Amazon is King of the online book selling world. So, when you publish your book in the Kindle Store there, you have maximum exposure to readers who want your book. And, because it is a searched based world, you are only fingertips away from your reader searching on a topic and finding your book.
I equate publishing on Amazon like real estate. The old adage is location, location, location. Well, in the online book world, no only does Amazon have the best location but it is even growing.
As I mentioned, real world, print booksellers are a dying breed. National bookseller Borders has gone bankrupt and closed stores throughout the US. Barnes and Noble, while avoiding the same fate as Borders, has quickly adapted and thrown their hat into the online, eBook, new digital age of publishing. But their brick and mortar stores are struggling as are all mom and pop bookstores.
So, by publishing on Amazon, you’re in the best location on the web for eBooks. I’m talking globally. I have my books sell all over the world and in places such as the UK and Germany in particular.
And, since it is FREE and you’re not limited to publishing only on Amazon, why not?
Amazon’s Rearview Mirror: Other Big Boys are Gaining
So, everything I just told you about Amazon is true. For now. But Amazon’s got some serious competition coming up fast in their rearview mirror. Amazon might be first but it might not be the overall winner. The debate is still out if Amazon is the Portugal of this new pioneering age: striking first ( a la Christopher Columbus) but get overtaken by others (a la England and the United States of America.)
My philosophy and the one I want you to adopt is simply this: We don’t have to pick a winner. We’ll publish on all of them. Cover our bases, so to speak.
Here’s the other top players:
Barnes and Noble
Barnes and Noble jumped quickly and effectively into the eBook and eReader market with the launch of Nook. And, while the Nook doesn’t outsell the Kindle, the reader is well liked. It has a color screen and most of the Kindle’s core features. You can read at the beach and the Nook is lightweight.
And, Barnes is making a massive, and I mean massive, push into the eBook sales online. They are rapidly shifting their business model away from being brick and more, store dependent to online.
Lastly, Barnes launched in 2010 their version of Kindle Publishing called PubIt. With PubIt, you can publish your book directly with Barnes and NOble and appear on their online store, right next to eBooks by Random House and all the other big boys. PubIt leveled the playing field. Barnes if far from dead and they will make this transition. Don’t count them out. That’s why I’ll show you how to get published directly on Barnes later in this book.
Apple
Initially, it seemed like Apple and their creative genius CEO Steve Jobs acted like eBooks were amateur hour. Apple seemed reluctant to jump into the fray. Maybe that was posturing while they continued heavy research and development on the iPad. But once the iPad came to market, everything changed.
Apple has changed the landscape of computing once again. For a company who had home runs with the iPod and iPhone, the iPad might just take the cake.
The tablet is a full computer but the real marvel of this device in its stunning visuals. Everything looks better on the iPad, not just websites but books and magazines.
This is why I say Amazon is far from winning this race. Apple is gaining and gaining quickly.
With the launch of iPad, Apple released the iBookstore. Now, the iBookstore is an integrated part of Apple’s juggernaut, iTunes. So, you can search, download samples and buy eBooks of any flavor, kind or genre right to your iPhone, iPad or even computer.
So, don’t count Apple out on winning this race. They made the blueprint and they look to be following their own plan.
I’ll show you the exact steps how to get your eBook published onto Apple’s iBookstore.
Google, like Apple, is another dangerous company to Amazon. They play hard and really bring their “A” game. They are now making inroads into the eBook landscape with Google Books.
Google Books is similar to all of the other online bookstores but with Google’s search engine prowess and dominance, they can guarantee that their books from their bookstore comes up first on user’s searches.
And, Google is challenging Apple within the Smartphone operating system race with the Android. There are going to continue to be more and more tablets, similar to the iPad, sold by other computer makers that will run off of the Android Operating System (OS). This means that Google will remain a big-time player for years to come.
So, I’ll give you the steps to get your book listed on Google Books.
Other Players
There are countless other players rising, falling and birthing every day in the eBook arena. Sites like Smashwords and Lulu give you the ability to publish in multiple formats in a “one stop” concept. These are called “Aggregators.” I like these sites but I also like to “Go Direct” to the top players.
That’s why I’ll show you exact steps to publish on Kindle, Barnes, Apple, etc. even though the Smashwords, Lulus, etc. offer you the ability to use them and get on all of the sites.
And, companies like Sony and Samsung have their own eReaders that might pose threats or even simply buying options to the other devices I’ve mentioned earlier.
Lastly, there are fantastic online eBookstores such as Diesel Books, Stanza, etc. that readers can buy eBooks from. I simply call these sites “retailers” as they simply sell eBooks. You’ll want your books on these sites too and I’ll show you later how to do that.
How to Succeed
While we’ll really get into all of the detailed aspects of publishing in later chapters, I did want to outline some of the key ways to succeed with your eBook and areas I want you to start thinking about now, before we really get into it.
Price
Like music on iTunes and in the online digital age, price is important for eBooks and is dependent on the type of eBook and the genre. The prices are all over the place, from $.99 up to $50. But the average eBook sells on Amazon’s Kindle Store for $9.99.
I equate an eBook to a printed paperback and even the large publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, etc, follow this logic. Comparing Print to eBook, the eBook version will be around $9.99 while the print will be from $14.99 to $29.99.
But the main point here is to do your research on price and realize that like with musics, readers are price sensitive. That’s not to say you won’t be able to price your book to market or in line with your direct competition, you will and I’ll show you how. But, your competition might be selling at $4.99 and you’ll want to follow suit if you want maximum success.
We’ll go into specific details and strategies on price in later section.
Interactive
If I haven’t made it clear enough, I’ll say it again. This is a new digital age, where media has changed and evolved. The key aspect of the most successful eBooks is that they are INTERACTIVE.
And, why not? The format of the eBook allows for pictures, videos, links, etc., so why wouldn’t you have all the tools and features in your eBook? And, it’s so easy to do. I’ll show you how in specific steps and ways later.
Niche
The key way to find success in the eBook arena is to know your niche and exploit it. Sure, if you are writing general fiction and up against John Grisham, your book might not be at the top of the list. But even in these cases, you will get seen. That’s because the eBook world is entirely broken down into categories. You’ll be able to add keywords to your book as well as multiple categories to define your work. So, you can have a legal thriller and even include John Grisham’s name in your key search words. I’ll show you how.
And, many successful eBook authors, such as John Locke who I mentioned earlier, have exploited their niches and given the traditional publishers, the big boys, a real run for their money. Those old school publishers are like the Titanic. Big ships but small rudders. Fast moving and adaptable authors like Locke have beaten those big publishers at their own game and climbed the bestseller lists for their niches. These new media authors KNOW their target audience, how to connect to them and also deliver on their content. Their books are as good or even better than the mainstream, known big-time authors. And, many of these eBook authors price their books well below traditionally published authors. Those big dinosaurs can’t even compete at those lower prices because they have too many costs.
Who wins? The reader. Great content, from great authors, at great prices.
Niches and target audiences are key buzzwords of this ePublishing Gold Rush. Get to know them well.
Here’s some Search Examples for Kobe Bryant and Legal Thrillers:
But the main point I want you to start thinking about is what niche or category is my writing. That will be super helpful as we proceed. And, if you don’t know just yet, I’ll show you who to start researching where you’re eBook might land in.
CHAPTER 3: STEP 1- WRITE THE BOOK
Write What You Know
As I mentioned in the Overview, the first step to having any book, including an eBook, is to write. What’s so different between now and even ten years ago, is that anyone, and I mean anyone, can get their book published and seen by millions. You could never say that before the advent of Amazon’s Kindle. But now you can.
The old story goes that everyone has a novel in them. I actually believe that. It might be a fictional story, a memoir or a how to book on a non-fiction subject. It could even be a magazine, comic book or cartoon, but I really do believe that old adage.
And, I’m sure since you bought this book, that you have some idea, even a general one, of a book you’d like to write and get published.
If you already know what you want to write or even have a draft or outline, you could SKIP to the next section because you already know what you want to write or have it written already.
For everyone else, who needs some guidance on figuring out what book to write, on the next pages, I’ll take you through a list of some ways to flush out and get clear on what you might want to write. It’s some questions that can spark something in you or provide you with a direction to begin writing.
GUIDANCE QUESTIONS ON FIGURING OUT WHAT TO WRITE
For Non-Fiction:
Are you good at something?
Do you already offer a service to the world?
What could you teach others?
What “how to” do you know?
Are you a professional or expert in a field that you could write about?
Is there a subject you’d like to research, something that is interesting to you and you want to know the answers?
For Fiction:
Do you have a story to tell?
What types of fiction books do you read?
What kind of movies do you like? Comedy?Drama? Thriller?
What was the last book you read?
What was it in that book that you liked- the Hero or Heroine, the Action, the Characters, the story?
For Magazines, Cartoons, Comic Books, etc.:
What magazines do you like to read?
What is it about them that makes you buy them again?
Is it something visual, written or both?
What have you always gravitated to, what have you liked all your life
General Questions to Ask
What are you good at?
What do you like?
What do you do in your free time?
What would you do for free?
What would family or friends say is the book you should write?
How would family or friends describe you?
Expand Your Blog or Article Writing to a Sellable Book
One of the best ways to create a book is to expand on what you are already doing and finding success. If you are Blog or Article writer, then you are already “writing what you know.”
The key then is to expand on your proven success and take it to eBook form. You already have what the buzzword is called “a platform.” That means you already have an audience or reader base who like what you write.
So, expand on your current work. Take your best Blog or most read Article and expand it into a book.
You might already be an expert on a subject. And, your Blogs or Articles might already be all based on your subject. So, take all your blogs, assemble them and make them into a book. Add more depth, more research and your book is done. Same approach if you have a successful string of completed Articles.
Real Example from The Kobe Code
I’ve been an avid basketball fan, having both played and followed the sport for nearly 20 years. I love all things basketball, including college and the NBA but his real love and passion are the Los Angeles Lakers, having been a fan of the Purple and Gold since his youth.
I am a Featured Columnist and Senior Analyst for one of the largest sports websites in the U.S., The Bleacher Report.com. My articles are also read on Bleacher Report partners such as LA Times, CBS Sports.com, and USA Today, to just name a few.
So, what started me on the path to write a book about Kobe Bryant was really my love of basketball and the Los Angeles Lakers. That was the real starting point.
The type of book came about because I found Kobe to be one of the most intriguing and fascinating athletes of any time. I kept asking the question: what is Kobe doing that is separating him from the rest of the pack? What is going on both physically and mentally with this superstar that creates such excellence?
And, I wanted to know what really drives Kobe, where that hunger and intensity was derived. Lastly, I wanted to know if Kobe's perception by the media was right or wrong. What I discovered was surprising.
Once I had known what I loved and what I would write, I decided to write something that wasn’t already out there. I wanted new information, behind the scenes information about Kobe. I wanted to know things off the court. That is what propelled my research and resulted in the book coming about.
Here’s a link to my Bleacher Report work:
http://bleacherreport.com/users/266645-pat-mixon
Find Your Niche
The key in finding a niche is that the more specific you are, the more success you’ll have. Period. If your book is very general, then it will be harder to categorize and therefore, harder to find.
That’s why I really suggest writing on a specific subject, especially if non-fiction. You really want to become known in that niche, that subject. The more specific, the better.
For fiction, it’s rather easy to figure out what genre your novel will fall into. If yours is a thriller, it’s a thriller. Not hard.
Having a niche also allows you to really stand out. You’re able to be found on searches on Amazon, Barnes, Apple, etc. Also, and we’ll go into this in much detail in the Marketing Section of this book, being specific and having a niche will aid you in keyword utilizations, so you’ll also have a better chance of being ranked high by Google in keyword searches.
This is all important because the sooner your book comes up when someone is searching on the subject or nature of your book, the better chance they have of finding your book and buying it. And, that’s the real goal, huh?
So, start really thinking about what genre or niche your book should fall into. It will be helpful after you have a written final product and we start talking about the actual act of publishing it.
And, keep in mind this formula: Niche + Knowing Target Audience = Success
Real Example from The Kobe Code
My book is pretty easy. It’s about basketball and more specifically, about Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant.
But, I also took a different look at Kobe than all the books that were out there. My book is more about what makes him tick, not his accomplishments as a basketball player. This book isn’t a traditional biography. It has elements of Self-Help & Inspirational, and has even been called by a Reviewer, something like a The Art of War handbook.
Lastly, in my niche of books on Kobe Bryant, mine is the most recent. There hadn’t been a book published on Kobe in like three plus years. So, mine was the most recent. That was also helpful in being found in searches, both on Amazon and the web in general.
MY BOOK’S KEYWORDS & TAGS:
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Sports
BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Inspiration & Personal Growth
SELF-HELP / Motivational & Inspirational
SPORTS & RECREATION / Basketball
Research what is missing & Write What is Popular
An entirely different approach from figuring out what type of book you have inside you and want to write is to research the market to see what is missing.
Take a look at categories that interest you and see what is not out there or missing. The more specific you are, the more success you’ll have. That’s because having a niche or exploiting a little populated subject allows you to stand out.
Or, another strategy is to write what is popular.
For me, I only write what I know or like. If terrorist thrillers are what is popular, I’d still want to write a sports thriller.
But you might be different from me and want to write something that is popular. That’s not a bad strategy, because as you know, when something is hot, readers want more.
Think back to what happened when Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code came out. That book was a mega-hit. But after his book hit, it seemed like all the next books out where also historical fiction and involved the Knights Templar. It felt that way because it was true. Readers had an unquenchable thirst for more stories like The Da Vinci Code.
So, there’s a reason why certain books are popular and the public wants more. If you want, give them more.
For example, right now, Zombie books are very popular and could be a place to write another one.
Real Example from The Kobe Code
For my book, I actually did what I’m telling you. First, I simply wanted to read a book on Kobe Bryant that had new and different information. But I found that there was nothing out in the market like that. And, as I dug deeper, I realized that there were actually no recent biographies on Kobe at all.
Separately, in developing The Kobe Code, I used my knowledge and success as a sportswriter to my advantage. I knew the market because I had been writing sports articles and the ones on Kobe were some of the highest read and most popular. That meant there was a thirst to know more about Kobe.
Get Organized
Now we’re at the point where you are actually going to start writing your book. If you’ve already written your book, you could quickly look over this Section, as it still has some good points that can make your existing book stronger.
But this Section is mostly for those of you who have figured out what you want to write, done some research or have that story to tell and know what to get started. This is what I’d call “The Pre-Game.” This step is all about getting Organized and prepared.
The Outline
I personally have found that using an Outline is critical to success. This is true for both Fiction and Non-Fiction. Sure, there are fiction writers who can literally start with a blank page, start writing and let their story unfold. But that is dangerous if you don’t really know what you’re doing.
If you’re like me, I like GPS and road maps and an Outline is just that for a book. It helps you write and charts your path.
The outline helps give Structure to your book. It is like the architect’s plans for a house. I don’t know many builders who would build a house without starting with plans. For me, writing begins with an Outline. It allows me to come up with the structure and how I plan on presenting the information (for nonfiction) or tell the story (for fiction.)
The Outline is the place where I determine how I will present my subject.
Or, using The Kobe Code as an example, I chose to have 8 Principles for Success that basically presented each chapter of information. It was both a way to break up the book, essentially into chapters, but also a way to present the research I’d found. How I presented it was critical and actually part of the book. There hadn’t been a book done this way on a basketball player in over a decade.
Before I get into the actual steps used, I do want to make a real point of emphasis on the power of using an Outline. One of the biggest things writers have is completion. The list of writers who start projects and never finish could circle the globe.
You want to FINISH your book. That’s the key here. The Outline will help you.
My Process of using the Outline to Write Each Day
I not only use my Outline as a roadmap to success, but I use it as a TO DO LIST. When I write, I actually start at the beginning of my outline and work through it from start to finish. Each day, as I write, I’m working through each bullet point I have laid out early in this outlining phase.
Why is this so helpful? Because each day, when I write, I know where I’ve been, what I want to work on that day and how much further I have to go. There I no guessing. I literally write my way through my Outline until I reach the end. Then, I’m done.
And, if I’ve really done good work and detailing in this Outlining Phase, I’ve covered everything I want to say. Sure, as I actually write out the book, new or different stuff comes up and that ends up on the page. I also edit my previous day’s work before I write that days work. But the key is always the Outline. It’s like the GPS in the car, which always tells me where I am at and how much further I have to go.
Exact Outline Steps:
Determine How you will present your subject
Basic Points of your story or book. Draft out key bullet points of what you are writing on. Try to think in terms of Chapters, especially for non-fiction.
Populate your Outline as you go. I start with the big points, basically the chapter points, and then start making sub-bullets or secondary bullets under each chapter as I populate my outline. You can get very detailed, writing out full sentences, pointing or noting research points, or just have one or words. Entirely up to you and your style.
Real Example from The Kobe Code
Here’s a sample outline from my book. It was one of the early versions, so it doesn’t completely match the finished product and that’s actually why I’ve included it here for you. I want to show you that this is a “Working Outline” that will get added to, modified and changed as you work. But like I’ve said, this is your roadmap to completion success.
SAMPLE OUTLINE:
Overview- His Code
Strength & Honor
Honor the Game: Love the Game
And because the game has given me so much I know that I must give it the respect it deserves. I must work hard to master it, to show it my appreciation for all it has done for me as a person, as a man. That’s the reason I’m able to play under severe pressure or stress. The game has actually helped me cope with it. It has helped me win. Not in terms of the points scored, but in terms of the struggles that I have overcome. More and more I feel like this is the reason I train so hard, why I push myself past every limit. The more obstacles that are placed between me and my goals, the hungrier I become.
Came, Saw, Conquered
"Scito hoc super omnia....Tempus neminem non manet....Carpe diem," he proclaims in Latin (which he learned in elementary school in Italy) on the home page of his Website, KB24.com. "Know this above all else....Fully use every point, moment, and hour that you have. Time waits for no man....Seize the day."
Underdog.
Outcast. I have been an outcast my entire life.
Many times my drive to succeed has put me on an island all by myself because no one understood me, or they chose to misunderstand me. They chose to portray me as being something that I was not.
Be Remembered as: I would love for people to think of me as a talented overachiever.
Principles
Have a Gladiator Mentality- Welcome the Challenge
Warrior. Samurai, Gladiator. Win or be carried out on your shield
A new Challenge. A challenge was issued to me by everyone who said I would never succeed again, that I would never win another ring or enjoy another parade. I accepted their challenge. I accepted the doubt of every one who spoke of my downfall and used their words as fuel. I have a franchise to resurrect, a city of fans to uplift.
I will not back off until I’m back on top, back in the place where they said I could never be again. Mountains don’t scare me. The LACK of mountains scares me. The climb up, the struggle for every inch of ground and every level of ascension is what feeds me.
I welcome that challenge. I welcome that chance to be fed because no matter what — no matter how hard, how far, or how many stand in my way, I remain determined.
Prove Everyone Wrong: Know What Fuels You, What Drives You
Misunderstood
Underdog/Outcast
I have been an outcast my entire life.
I have been an outcast my entire life. From being the only black kid in my town in Italy all the way to when I was 17 and playing in the NBA.
Many times my drive to succeed has put me on an island all by myself because no one understood me, or they chose to misunderstand me. They chose to portray me as being something that I was not.
Be Focused & Have a Hunger
Hunger-Determination- Be Focused
Defines him
A Real Thirst to Dominate
A Need to Succeed.
I have always had a purpose, a need to succeed. People who try to discourage me only add fuel to a fire that has always burned. Every phase of my life has brought me new risks and new rewards; in many ways I have always been the underdog. And through it all, through every struggle, the game has always been there. It has never left me alone.
What separated me from others, even more consistently than skin color or age, was my hunger. My mission. I’ve always been made to feel like there was something wrong with wanting to win so badly and wanting to become the best at what you do.
Use Fear as a Motivator
Desire is a double-edged sword. It gives you strength; it gives you motivation and focus. But occasionally, because your ambition is so great, you wonder what will happen if your goals are not fulfilled. My biggest fear is not winning another title. But fear is a great motivator. I’m determined to lead this organization back to the top. The people who once celebrated me are the same people who doubt me now. They say that because I don’t have Shaq that I can’t win, that it’s over. The only thing I truly worry about is that my drive and my will are sometimes too much for my teammates to handle. Do I expect too much from them? How can I elevate them to play with my same passion every night?
Be a Talented Overachiever
Dedication- Out Work
Be Remembered as: I would love for people to think of me as a talented overachiever.
And I always worked hard. When I saw the movie Rudy I remember thinking, “What if I worked that hard?” God has blessed me both physically and intellectually to play this game, so what would happen if I push as hard as the character in this film? I would love for people to think of me as a talented overachiever.
Daily Workout Routine
Diet
Film Study
Day in Life- During Season
Be Okay with Who You Really Are
Accept your nature
What separated me from others, even more consistently than skin color or age, was my hunger. My mission. I’ve always been made to feel like there was something wrong with wanting to win so badly and wanting to become the best at what you do.
There are certain kinds of people that are purely driven. I can tell who they are simply by looking at them. I have faced so much criticism for my drive that at times it has alienated me from the majority: the people who are comfortable with second place, the people who hate against me because I am not. You know these kinds of people; they are the ones who fear winning, the jealous ones who envy and try to sabotage. They are the people who have been telling me I couldn’t win all my life. Many times my drive to succeed has put me on an island all by myself because no one understood me, or they chose to misunderstand me. They chose to portray me as being something that I was not.
OK to be different than others. It’s OK to want to be the best. It’s OK to feel like a loser if you don’t win it all, and it’s OK to bounce back with a stronger will, a deeper sense of determination, and a desire to destroy your opposition.
I have learned that it is OK for me to be me, and what being me entails.
Remember Where you Came From & Family Above All Else
Recently I have come to visualize my place as a black athlete within our society. I’ve always been aware of our history, from Jackie Robinson to Sweetwater Clifton. But I never felt like I deserved to be a part of our tradition because I grew up overseas, in Italy. In that way I am very much different than many of my peers. I never truly believed that my own people wanted to identify with me. But that’s the thing about adversity: while you’re going through it, you look around yourself and see exactly who it is that’s rallying behind you. During my time of struggle I saw the truth. My people held me down. Their love and support became an experience for me and that experience will be with me for the rest of my life. It gave me a completely different understanding of my role. I had been wrong about my impact. Now I see that I can be a force in the lives of our youth. They look up to me for guidance and support. They have shown me that even though I grew up in Italy, I am a part of black America. The color of my skin ain’t paint! It is, in fact, more than a color: it’s the signifier of my culture.
Family. Background, etc.
Honor the Game: Love the Game
As I’ve gotten older and actually become famous I realize that it’s not what I thought it would be. But this is a good thing. Because it means that, in my heart, I never played the game for “spotlight” reasons. I played because I loved it. I played because it meant more to me than even I knew. When I needed someone to lean on, a place to vent, a place to celebrate or a place to cry, the game became all of these things for me.
And because the game has given me so much I know that I must give it the respect it deserves. I must work hard to master it, to show it my appreciation for all it has done for me as a person, as a man. That’s the reason I’m able to play under severe pressure or stress. The game has actually helped me cope with it. It has helped me win. Not in terms of the points scored, but in terms of the struggles that I have overcome. More and more I feel like this is the reason I train so hard, why I push myself past every limit. The more obstacles that are placed between me and my goals, the hungrier I become.
Live with Passion & Know Your Real Purpose
What I have come to learn is that my desire to win, the will to pursue my goals with the highest level of intensity and passion, defines me.
When we play on the road and the entire crowd is booing me it doesn’t bother me at all. What I think about is simple: “When these fans leave this game I want them to remember how hard I fought and the passion and drive with which I played.”
Even though those fans may chant “Kobe sucks”, when they leave that arena I want them to walk out with a different feeling than they came in with. When they leave they’ll leave with the understanding that they have just witnessed a player give himself completely to his passion; they have just watched an athlete pour every ounce of his heart and soul out on that floor. And hopefully, when the next volume of my life is all said and done, they will respect and appreciate the years that I spent giving all of me to the game that means everything to me.
Download this book for your ebook reader.
(Pages 1-41 show above.)