Do I Have a Book?

Book writing coach Lisa Tener
Your Book Writing and Publishing Coach

This morning another e-mail came in with the subject line, all in caps, “DO I HAVE A STORY?” I get one of these a few times a month so I thought it’s time to share my response more globally:

The question isn’t necessarily, “Do I have a story?” Of course you do. Ask yourself these questions, though, to determine whether it’s worth writing that book:

*   What are your goals?

*   What’s your vision for what the book would do in your life?

*   Would you like to be a speaker?

*   Would you like to teach teleseminars or workshops?

dreas dream book
Part of Susan Rizzo Vincent’s vision was to expand the reach of the Andrea Rizzo Foundation which brings dance therapy to children in hospitals.

If you don’t have a game plan, you don’t know how you’ll reach readers. Now, if your goal is to get your story in writing for your kids and grandkids, that’s great. But if you want your book to change the lives of many people, you need a plan for how you’ll reach those people, so the book makes the kind of impact you dream of making.

In addition, to get a book out there does take some money–often a few thousand dollars for a book writing course or editing, some investment in publishing if you’re self publishing (book cover, proofreading and layout), a website. The biggest chunk can be the publicity.

lemay book cover
Kathy LeMay’s vision included training investment advisers in big banks to advise their clients on investing in philanthropy and social change.

If you traditionally publish, you’ll most likely want to invest in professional help to make your book proposal as polished as can be–it’s not just likelier to interest agents and publishers but to get a bigger advance. And a bigger advance doesn’t just mean more money, it means the publisher is more invested in your success and will do more to make the book succeed–from putting you on their speakers bureau to getting you on national TV.

I like to see people earn back more than they put in! But to do that you need to have a plan from the get go to make back that investment, in addition to book sales. There are many ways to do that–speaking, consulting, teaching, corporate training, internet products and more. And all those income producing activities will help you reach more readers, sell more books and impact more lives.

book cover image
Stacy Corrigan’s vision was to teach seminars and sell additional information products.

Once you decide you do have a book, it’s time to clarify what that book is. Well, that’s another post…but you can join me on April 16 at Newport Interactive Marketers for Build Your Brand with Tips from Award Winning Book Coach Lisa Tener to get a glimpse into your first steps if you’re in New England. It’s free!

Or join me for a workshop to get more clarity about your book concept. I’ll be teaching Write That Book,  the first workshop at the International Coaching Federation of New England’s (ICFNE) April 22 event in Westboro MA. Stay for dinner and the second speaker–Bestselling author Tama Kieves.

And if you’re not local to New England, you can start clarifying and writing your book with my online course Quick Start to Kick Start Your Book.

So, what’s your vision? Share it here.

Lisa Tener

Lisa Tener is an award-winning book writing coach who assists writers in all aspects of the writing process—from writing a book proposal and getting published to finding one’s creative voice. Her clients have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, The Montel Williams Show, CNN, Fox News, New Morning and much more. They blog on sites like The Huffington Post, Psychology Today and WebMD.
Indie published Joy of Writing Journal.

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Winner of the Silver Nautilus Book Award & IPPY Award

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