Do you want to write a non-fiction book but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you worry that you’re not ‘the expert’ or have enough authority in your niche to write a book on it?Are you ready to help other people and change your own life with your words?The first non-fiction book I wrote changed my life. Sure, it helped other people, but mostly it altered the course of my life – so much so … life – so much so that 10 years later, I make a living with my writing.
I’ve written seven other non-fiction books and co-written two more and built a multi-six-figure income around my non-fiction eco-system. In this book, I’ll share everything I’ve learned along the way and save you time, effort and frustration on your author journey. The book includes:
PART 1. Before You Write: Mindset
Why write a non-fiction book?
Can I write a book if I’m not the expert?
Originality. Or, there are so many other books on this topic
Who are you? Personal stories and the writer’s voice
The day a non-fiction book changed my life
Fear and self-doubt
PART 2. Before You Write: Business
Types of non-fiction books
Business models for non-fiction books
Who is your book for? Identify your target market
Decide on the topic for your book
Decide on your book title
Your author name and pseudonyms
How long does your book have to be?
How long will it take to write the book?
Your perspective on time
Writing a book proposal
PART 3. Writing and Editing
Gather and organize existing material
Research, interviews, surveys, and social listening
Structure and organize the book
How to write the first draft
How to dictate your book
Turn your blog/podcasts/videos/talks into a book
Speed and quality
Focus and shiny object syndrome
Writer’s block
Co-writing a non-fiction book
How to turn a boring book into an engaging read
Elements of fiction in non-fiction
Truth and perfectionism
Legal issues: Using real people, quotes, lyrics, images, and citing sources
Self-editing a book
How to find and work with professional editors
PART 4. Publishing and Product Creation
Your publishing options
The different formats for your book
Non-fiction book covers
Book formatting for non-fiction
Pricing your book
Your book sales description
Categories and keywords
Turn your non-fiction book into a multimedia course
Updating your books over time
PART 5. Marketing Non-Fiction
Two models of marketing and the importance of mindset
Book-centered marketing
Paid advertising for non-fiction books
Author-centered marketing. The power of a personal brand
Build your author website
Build an email list
Integrate email marketing with your book
Content marketing for non-fiction books
My non-fiction marketing journey
Conclusion and your next steps.
It’s time to (finally) write your non-fiction book. Download a sample or buy now and start writing.
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Without this book, I would have never published my own.
Joanna Penn shares her intimate knowledge of the writing process.
Insightful and inspiring are the words which best describe Joanna Penn’s latest book, How to Write Non-Fiction. It is rich with anecdotes, key learning, recommended tools and services suitable for new and experienced writers.
She has researched the topic widely and is generous in sharing failures, ‘Ah Ha’ moments and tips for being more effective.
Readers will benefit from Joanna’s writing journey. At the time of writing this review she has 27 books. She is herself an avid reader and reflector and we are the beneficiaries of this.
Joanna talks to our concerns from who am I to write this book and the importance of checking in on our mindset. She speaks in a very authentic manner – (even though we hear Carolyn Holroyd’s voice). I appreciated her sharing personal stories around what she wants to do with her life and ‘Why she writes’.
Joanna has a strong sense of abundance giving generously of her time and experience not only in her books but in her blogs and podcasts and believes that there is room for all to be authors in a global marketplace.
I need to admit that I am one of Joanna’s super fans. I attended a workshop she ran with Orna Ross giving me the motivation to get my nearly finished book across the line. The workshop and speeches are part of her author eco-system and she makes useful observations in the book about what is needed to be a full-time writer and how a book could be a part of a broader product and service offering.
‘How to Write Non-Fiction’ is giving me additional inspiration to get my latest non- fiction book finished. I downloaded Joanna’s book via Audible and was reminded of how valuable a channel this was for absorbing content fast. Joanne mentions this in her book along with many other suggestions for improving efficiency, such as using dictation, which I have hovered around for ages and have now made the decision to use.
Like many authors I read widely about the magic and challenge of getting your ideas down in a book. I was a tad nervous that there would be a lot of content that I already knew. I was wrong as I have identified at least 20 new actions I can take to improve my writing and marketing activities We don’t know what we don’t know.
It took me ages to write my first non-fiction book, ‘Engagement Whisperer’. If I had read Joanna’s book first I am sure that I would have produced it in a third of the time. She makes excellent points about how long it should take you to write, setting aside dedicated increments of time if only for 15 minutes, to get the thing written and of our mindsets around how long it should take to write a book versus quality of the final product.
In summary, if you plan to write a non-fiction book (or another one), you will learn from this book.
Easy five stars from me.