\ #27 in "Letters from Winnie" Series /

In no particular order – the 27th piece reflecting correspondence-advice to potential book/writing-related clients over the years.

(I have reproduced no clients' emails to?me?– and have removed all identifying factors from my letters to them - and some are composites.)

2020 Letter from Winnie

"Hi___________________

"...Following up on your recent email...yes, we could do that together?– but for a lower book fee like what you're suggesting, I'd expect the author to do or provide a lot of research.?

Here's an example of what I mean by "research material." One author I did a book for gave me the following:

1) Seven or 8 audio files, ranging in length from 20 min. to 1 hr, of the author interviewing certain people/experts for her book (and one of the tapes as the author herself, telling me her story).

I used that material both for general content, and for quotes throughout the book. It was quite a lot of work for me to deal with (but would have been even more work if I'd had to interview and transcribe these people myself!).

As the interview/conversation files had been done, I now had plenty of available material to work with, though it still created a certain amount of work for me as writer and coordinator.

2) The author also had given me what amounted to dozens of published studies, articles, a few published books etc., all containing material useful for the book. I went through all that material and used some of it in my writing of the book. I also found some of my own sources and books, and sent those suggestions to the author.

So all of that is a kind of example of the resources that might be used for a self-help book. They help give a book credibility and "authority." However, an author also should get proper permission to use material from other sources?– and that can take time?– and money! (i.e., you might have to pay for the privilege of using the info).

Anything you are using for publication – you properly should have permission to do so, as there are legal ramifications.

First thing to do is decide the type of book you'd like to do – and if it will need a lot of "throughout" and "backup" research like the above. One thing you could do is interview people?– friends/colleagues?– for experiences that could be an interesting part of the book. And of course it can be "anonymous." Overall, people like to read about other people's experiences, and compare them to their own.

Or – we could do what I described as a "business?fable" or "motivational novel" – actually a work of fiction, created with a main character, and others, going through interesting experiences to arrive at an outcome that solves or resolves an issue. Most of these novels are set in a biz scenario (office etc.) - and we learn a lot about biz processes, conflicts, resolutions etc.?– in an interesting way.

Business?fables, motivational novels and self-motivational novels are quite popular?– just look up those terms to find some examples. And often they do take place in at least partly a work setting (which is part of what life is!), but not necessarily.

A motivational novel, a fiction self-help book, obviously doesn't depend so heavily on sources, resources, copyright issues, getting permission, etc.?– it's a more relaxed and even fun way to do it?– though there's still a lot of work?– sometimes more!?– in creating characters and a believable story. But it's a great option?– and also lifts your book out of an enormous pile of "self-help" books. (It's such a crowded publishing marketplace/genre!)

My suggestion for you is to find and look at some motivational novels – it's easy to find excerpts on Amazon etc., or to download the e-book – and see how these fiction authors handle "a process," advice, etc. in their books.

Also, look at some regular non-fiction self-help books, and see how much, or not, the author has used sources and resources, both within the book, and listed in footnotes/endnotes at the back of the book. Often it's several pages of listed resources!

And that's what your book has to compete with, too – a book written by experts who are featuring and quoting other experts. You should always think that a reader may be going through your book and think, "Well, what makes ______________ think she's qualified to give me this advice??" And be prepared to answer it (your social-service work gives you some credibility!), or do another book that will be more credible.

You want to also always be sure that you don't set yourself up as being somehow "liable"?– whether it's in plagiarizing someone else's copyrighted work (which I'm sure you wouldn't do!), or using sources and quotes of other authors or experts without permission?– or in publication, using a chart, photograph or illustration without getting permission to do so, etc., etc.

Lots to think about when doing a self-help book?– or any book! But there's no hurry – just take your time and think over everything I've sent you. The above-mentioned stuff is something I try to guide all authors through (which partly accounts for my fee – I'm not just writing or editing a book ;)

And again, keep in mind the other options I'd suggested – whether doing a combo memoir-and-motivational book, or a motivational novel in itself, etc. OR maybe a thoughtful, semi-humorous book about the social-services world! (which a lot of people might not know about). And again, it can be combined with memoir, or not.

We need to plan out how this book will be done, not just start writing and "add to" what is already there. It needs to be a stunner – and a smart and savvy one!

And as we focus on the type of book it will be, we'll then next know what resources/sources we need to gather for it, and how we'll use them (e.g, a motivational novel will still use some research sources, but that kind of info can be woven naturally into the story setting – and is not likely to leave you liable for much ;)

BTW, I do have a background in writing fiction?– I began my career writing motivational, transformational, family and love stories for major UK women's/teens' magazines, and a mystery series, in the 1980s. I've always "kept up" on fiction, both in mags, and novels of all kinds...including the relatively-new motivational novel/business fable, which I often advise on, and post about. So maybe that's an option!

"All for now ___________, and I look forward to hearing from you."

Winnie