Menu
No. In fact, it’s fine if you’re not dedicated to an idea already, as my expertise is getting a high-level view of your knowledge and desires and pulling the perfect topic from what you tell me.
While this rarely if ever happens, I want my clients to feel comfortable. Your work will be posted in a private area where no one besides me will see it. Others in the group will learn only what you tell them and nothing more.
The short answer is it’s viable if it presents new information on your topic. We’ll definitely discuss this in our coaching sessions.
You’ll have access to me by email and phone, in addition to being able to ask questions in our coaching platform, in our Facebook group, and during our coaching sessions. My aim is to be by your side all the way through. I don’t farm my clients out to others on my team; I do all the coaching. In addition, I keep my programs to no more than 10 people at a time to ensure that everyone gets as much individual time and attention from me as he or she needs.
Absolutely! You’ll get feedback from me on everything you write. The goal is to outline the material first so that the writing will logically flow.
Microsoft Word is the preferred software, but you can use another word processor if you can save your files as .doc or .docx.
Of course they will—if your book is marketed properly and you have something new to say about your topic. You can learn how to do all this in Write a Book That Sizzles!
Long enough to cover the topic in depth. A general rule of thumb is 150-250 pages.
Yes! While having written reports certainly does help, since it provides you a lot of experience in logical flow, a professional edit is a must. If you’re in Write a Book That Sizzles!, your chapters will be edited as they are written. Even so, or if you aren’t in the program, your manuscript must be edited all at once for grammar, punctuation, spelling, logical flow, repetitious/misplaced material, repeated words, consistency, and a host of other issues. By the time you finish your first draft, you’re too close to the material to see the proverbial forest for the trees. Every writer, no matter how experienced, needs a professional editor with fresh eyes. This step can’t be missed if you hope to get good reviews so you can maximize sales.
This won’t be a problem if you have properly outlined your material. Your chapter will end once you have covered the designated topics in that section of your outline.
If you want to use images, charts, diagrams, and graphs from other sources, it’s necessary to contact the copyright holders to ask permission. Look for the people on social media, their websites, or via the publisher if the material you want to use is in a magazine or book. You can email the person or write via snail mail. In either case, keep a record of all correspondence.
The truth is that marketing takes time and work. The way to keep it under control, though, is not to overdo it. For example, if you’re using social media, focus on one or two platforms where your clients are. In addition to your website, you might have LinkedIn as your social media channel. Also, think about posting in one or two groups related to your topic to drive traffic to your website. This should take only a few hours a week. Guest podcasting and guest blogging are other ways you can attract buyers.
The real idea is to automate as much of your marketing as you can so that it minimizes your time in this arena. Bear in mind that marketing your book also markets you as an expert so you can get those high-level clients and fees you desire.
This is a great question that plagues many writers. One way is to schedule in your writing time the way you would schedule in a client. Let’s say you’re going to write between 1 and 2 o’clock Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Keep those appointments with yourself. Of course, the times you choose will depend on what your own client demands are.
In my programs, students have accountability partners to help keep them on track. In addition, there are weekly check-ins and other contact with me to help ensure they aren’t getting left behind.
This is entirely up to you and depends on your goals. The program modules are set up for 12 months so you can write in a stress-free manner that fits your busy schedule. And you’ll have lifetime access to the modules.
The program provides you a year to complete your manuscript for a very good reason. It takes time to create a quality book. As professionals, we have other obligations, and you may take longer than a year. If you keep those appointments with yourself, though, you should finish your book in the allotted time.
This program covers both modalities, so you’ll learn the pros and cons of each.
Yes, you can. It’s important, however, to demonstrate a good sales record so that the publisher is enticed to buy the rights to your book. See “Traditional Publishing” below for more details.
Yes! The old adage that “You can’t judge a book by its cover” isn’t true when it comes to sales. Your book is competing with the millions of others published each year. Even if it is self-published, it needs to look like one that came from a major New York publisher. Your content may be top-notch, but if the cover is poorly designed, your book won’t sell. Cover design and interior layout are the important places to put your money. Have both professionally designed—and by experts who specialize in book covers and typesetting.
There is a process for requesting testimonials. It consists of making contact with desired individuals ahead of asking them for their support. That means posting on their blogs, commenting on their videos, and otherwise making yourself known to them. Then the request has to be written in a certain way, which we go over in detail in Publish a Book That Sells!.
Technically, your book is copyrighted the minute you put the copyright symbol on the reverse side of the inside cover. If you want to make sure that no one can get away with stealing your material, however, I highly advise registering for an official copyright.
Go to https://www.copyright.gov/forms/ and fill out the form. You can submit a copy of your book online, too. A fee is required.
Print-on-Demand (POD) publishing is printing a book at the time it’s sold. The Internet has made this possible, and for self-publishers the only way to go. It eliminates the need for storing books in a garage or warehouse and dealing with the subsequent shipping. Amazon, for instance, prints the book when it is ordered, ships it to the buyer, and pays the author at the end of every month for any sales.
Electronic book publishing (e-books) makes your book available to be read on an e-book reader. The book cannot be transferred from this platform to any other person. E-books usually sell for a minimal amount (usually $.99 to $3.99) since there are no printing costs. Some e-books are shorter than printed books and they are usually available only in this form. It’s a good idea to have both the printed and e-book versions available for your book so that your buyers have a choice of which to purchase.
There is an entire cycle prior to publication that must take place to get reviews from the major reviewers. Self-publishers and many small presses most often skip this cycle, which takes place at least six months prior to the actual publication date. It means seeking reviewers who handle your type of book and sending them a request letter along with a copy of the book. This version of the book does not have the final cover but a specially designed review cover. This process is covered in Publish a Book That Sells!.
It depends. If you/re going after a major publisher, such as Random House or Simon and Schuster, the answer is yes. Most smaller/independent publishers, though, will work directly with the author.
First, you must find those who handle your type of book. Look in the Writer’s Market and Jeff Herman’s Guide to Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents, 29th edition (2023). Stay away from any agents who charge at the outset to represent you. They should get a percentage of your advance or sales through the publisher, but no other money should be involved.
First you have to find those that publish books like yours. (See the books mentioned in the previous question.) As stated, if you’re going after a major publisher, you’ll need an agent. If you’re seeking a smaller publisher, check to see what they want you to submit. The nice thing about publishing traditionally is that you can sell nonfiction based on a query letter and a proposal. Avoid vanity presses, who will charge large fees to publish your book.
No. You need to send a query letter first, along with whatever else, if anything, the publisher or agent wants to see. Again, this presupposes the publisher will work directly with the author.
A query letter introduces your book concept and yourself to an agent or publisher. It follows a specific format. We go over this in detail in Publish a Book That Sells! Students who choose to publish traditionally will get feedback on their query letters until they are polished and ready to send.
At least three months. But check the website to be sure there isn’t a statement saying that authors should not check on their manuscripts.
Check in the Writer’s Market, the Literary Marketplace (both are in your local library), and online at allianceindependentauthors.org, writerbeware.blog, and/or absolutewrite.com. Avoid vanity presses, who will charge for publication.
Any contract should be reviewed by a literary attorney. Two great ones are Michael Klein and Jonathan Kirsch. Klein gives discounts to members of IWOSC (Independent Writers of Southern California (iwosc.org)). Their contact information is as follows:
Michael Klein
Klein & Weisz
12401 Wilshire Blvd, Fl 2
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1086
(310) 447-7000
aq873lafn@gmail.com
Jonathan Kirsch
Law Offices of Jonathan Kirsch
1880 Century Park East, Suite 515
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 785-1200
This is the downside to traditional publishing. The short answer is yes. The editor is trying to improve your book to make it the most saleable. Generally, the suggestions are right on target. You may not have the ability to disagree without jeopardizing your contract.
Probably not. Those are largely a thing of the past unless you are a bestselling author. Instead, plan a tour yourself online via guest podcasting and/or guest blogging. Students in Publish a Book That Sells! develop a complete marketing plan.
Expenses include cover design, editing (if not done already), and formatting for printing/digital copies. The good news is that, aside from editing, all expenses are covered in the Publish a Book That Sells! program. (If you are in or have taken Write a Book That Sizzles!, editing is included.)
Absolutely not. You retain the copyright and full ownership of your book, and the account you set up on Amazon is your own. All earnings from the book go directly to you and no one else.
The calls are important to your progress. They provide you the opportunity to ask questions. If it’s absolutely necessary for you to miss at the scheduled time, the sessions are recorded and you can catch up.
As much as you need. Calls will be every week except for holidays and times of extended travel. My goal is to ensure you get your manuscript written/published, so if that takes extra time on my part beyond what we cover in the calls, I am available to give you the guidance you need.
Due to the fact that these programs involve live coaching and there are limited spots, there are no refunds and all sales are final. If there’s something you wish to get out of this program that isn’t already provided, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will do my best to provide that for you.
NOTE: Refunds may be provided in the event of accidental purchases or other billing issues.
All content will be hosted in Coaching Genie in a private members’ forum. Once you sign up for a program, you will be given complete log-in instructions. We will discuss the details on our first live call. Live calls are hosted on Zoom, and times will be set to accommodate different time zones. You can submit your questions in advance if you can’t make it to a live call and watch the recording after.
There will also be a private Facebook group for members. You will receive information on this when you sign up.
No. I don’t accept everyone. I only accept serious, committed clients who are ready to take a leap and make their book-writing dreams a reality. I want experts who are committed to the process and with whom I have a good rapport. As I have mentioned, I limit my programs to 10 people at a time, so I am doubly choosey as to who I accept.
If you’re looking to write your book in a weekend or even a month and/or expect your book to be an overnight success, my programs are not for you.
If you’re planning to have AI write your book for you, my programs are not for you. Successful, legitimate authors have to bring their own creativity, perseverance, and resourcefulness to the table.
No coach can tell you 100% what’s going to work for you and your audience without doing your own research, testing, and validating. Coaching does help you narrow down what most likely going to work, saving you months, or even years, of trial and error and nonaction. But you have to be committed to the process.
Carol J. Amato
Top Writing Coach
PO Box 77002
Corona, CA 92877-0100