The #1 Mistake To Avoid When Writing A Book
Jim Edwards
OG of Copy and Content, helping authors, coaches, speakers & entrepreneurs create amazing marketing and sales content using AI so they can sell more and find freedom in their work.
If you're an entrepreneur with dreams of the authority of being an author, you've probably wondered whether to go the traditional publishing route or do it yourself.
Trust me, I’ve been in your shoes, and I want to share my biggest mistake with you - because it’s a lesson that can save you years of frustration and disappointment.
Spoiler alert: the mistake isn't about getting started.
Let’s rewind to the day it all began.
One afternoon, my girlfriend mentioned, "Hey, you're pretty smart. You should write a book." My pride soared. "Yeah, you're right!" I thought.
Fast forward four years later, I finally had a completed manuscript. I had even married that supportive girlfriend - and we’ve now been happily married for 30 years.
But here’s the kicker: it took me four long years to write that book, and in that time, I made a colossal error.
What was that mistake?
I believed I needed a publisher.
Once I finished my book, I jumped headfirst into spending tons of money on printing manuscripts and mailing them out - not to mention wasting countless hours researching publishers. (This was way before the days of emailing digital manuscripts.)
I compiled a big list of publishers from library books and sent my work off with high hopes of a fat publishing deal.
You might be thinking, “That doesn’t sound too bad.” But here’s where it all went south.
After a week of anticipation, I found rejection letters piling up in my mailbox. Day after day, I faced the harsh reality of being shot down - 40 rejections in total. "Not our market," they’d say - not one wanted to take a chance on my book. It was crushing. Those manuscripts I worked so hard on eventually got shoved into a box, buried in my closet.?
I lost my confidence and passion for the book and just gave up.
Two more long years passed, and I was still stuck.
Fast forward to 1997, and I stumbled into the world of self-publishing entirely by accident. The journey from hopeless writer to confident self-published author was a game-changer.
We’ll share that journey in another article… but over the next 4 years I got written up in the NY Times and became a 6-figure author with NO PUBLISHER!
All through the power of self-publishing on the internet.
Fast Forward To Today
So, let’s cut to the chase: what do you really need to become a “real” author today?
The truth is much simpler than how it used to be.
You only need 3 things to be a real, legitimate author today.
First, you need a professional cover. This is your book's first impression - make it count!
Second, you need a book that accurately reflects your thoughts, ideas, stories, and lessons learned.
Third, the critical step is to publish on Amazon.
You might think you need an agent or a publisher to be taken seriously…
And that is where many aspiring authors go wrong. Good news! In today's digital age, you can skip that entire process.
Here’s the shocking part: you can do all of this in less than a week!
Yes, seriously… you can have it all done in less than a week!
While I dragged my feet for four years, the right tools and knowledge mean you can have a book ready to go in just days. No problem!
Don't waste time searching for a publisher – you don’t need one!
Embrace self-publishing and leverage your book to build authority in your business… and don’t worry about making money from actual book sales.
Book sales are the cherry on top of the REAL reason why you want to publish a book. You don’t make money with a book… you make money because of your book!
Stated differently: when done right, your book can help you create a lucrative business that generates five, six, or even seven figures that have nothing to do with making money off the sales of the books.?
It’s all the other stuff you can do BECAUSE you have a book that builds your business!
How incredible is that?
Let me simplify all the noise:
You can write your book quickly and, most importantly, you can do it without a traditional publisher.
Remember those three essentials:
1.???? Professional cover
2.???? Impactful content from YOU
3.???? Published on Amazon
That’s what makes you a real author…?
Not waiting around for someone else to publish your work.
Avoiding my past mistake will set you on a fast track to success. So, roll up your sleeves, learn the methods, access the tools, get that book done, and watch your authority - and your business - grow!
Ready to fast-track your author journey? ??
Don’t make the same mistake I did—spending years waiting for a publisher. WriteYourBook.AI is the all-in-one solution that empowers you to write and publish in no time.
Sign up for the waitlist now and be first in line to turn your book dreams into reality: https://writeyourbook.ai/
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2 周Love this!?
The Women's Wealth Warrior - Helping ambitious women master wealth through passive income real estate, education, and innovative growth strategies. Investor | Mentor | Entrepreneur
4 周Great advice! Self-publishing is such a game-changer.