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How a Book is Born: One Author's Story
by Judy Cullins

Not all books come out whole, all at once. In fact, most books ease out little by little. They have strange and wondrous beginnings. Some come from speeches, some come from articles or short stories. The saying goes if you write a short story or article every day, at the end of a year you'll have a book--a big book at that! But then, why think so big?

In the beginning, I gave Speedreading and Memory seminars. I didn't think of myself as an author, but a teacher or trainer. I joined Toastmasters and National Speakers Association and learned enough to strengthen my presentations so I could speak to promote my personal growth skills business.

My audiences from corporate and community education wanted handouts to take home with them. Seeing a need I started to gather the handouts (articles), revise and edit them to become short books. The articles came from my talks, wide research, and my own experiences. I wrote the books I needed and wanted to read. So can yours! Check out your files today, and see what gems are in there.

These books were quick and easy to write because they were only 10-60 pages long. I priced them accordingly, but noticed monthly sales were brisk for all 20 short books. I didn't try to impress with a perfect binding. I put them in 8 1/2 by 11 1/2 " format, held together by staples. They sold well at the back-of-the-room, making up half of my income for over 15 years.

The irony of my story is that I did write a long book--sort of. At 160 pages, Passion at Any Age is complete, but my passion for it has waned. It just took too long. I now sell it in serial form, one chapter at a time through email. I still sell the other print books, but today I prefer eBooks. Today, I mostly sell how to write, publish, and promote books Online, through email promotion or Web site sales.

My 20 years research into how to write a book has come full circle. As a book coach, now, I encourage professionals to write a book--just write a short book! Think 10-50 pages. You need to write your book, and share your unique message, but you also don't want to spend all of your time on it.

Begin your book today by writing an article that answers one of your book audience's challenges or problems. You can then, string the articles together. Each article that has been expanded can become a chapter.

Before you know it, your book will grow. They always grow longer than you think they will be. You will have plenty of pages, and each page will deliver practical, inspirational material to your new clients and customers concisely and directly--the way they want it.

Remember, Offline and Online folks want information. But, they no longer want to read hundreds of pages. They don't want to spend time reading a long book.

Will business people buy your book? Yes! They are hungry for information--information that only you have and can say in your unique way. Will your book sell? Yes! With just a few significances such as "presenting useful, practical information," or "presenting material that could change a life," or "creating a deeper understanding of human nature," your book will be a great seller.

Since book coaching for 20 years, one thing I know for sure, my clients have many more ideas than they have time to write a book about. Take one idea; write an article. You'll feel a sense of completion. Don't worry how long it is or its format. After you get four to ten of your articles edited, you can bundle the related ones into a fine book--to sell electronically or through print.

Copyright © 2002 Judy Cullins

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