10 signs You Are Ready to Publish a Book

So you think you want to write a book. How do you know you are ready? I think everyone has a little book inside them but not everyone is ready to write it right now. How do you know? Well, last week we explored the 7 Reasons You Should Wait to Get Your Book Published. Here now are the top 10 ways you know you are ready to get started.

1. You have a great online presence. You have built a strong online presence. You have a regular following on your blog. Your current readers will either buy your book or they will be willing to promote it. 
2. You have well defined goals. You know what goals you plan to achieve from your book. You have a timeline for completing your book and you know what professional goals you wish to achieve. If it is not a written goal, it will continue to be a wish.
3. You dream about holding your book at a press release. You can visualize how it will feel to be a published author. If you can visualize the feeling you will be more likely to find a way to do it.
4. You have the money to invest. You have determined that benefits to your business and professional status are greater than the cost of publishing. Most authors don’t a big profit on book sales. The money is made from the opportunities that result from being a published author.  
5. Your desire to write your book has moved to the top 5 things you must accomplish in the next year. If you have a burning desire to write a book it will be easier to complete it. Your passion will be conveyed in your book. Your readers will feel your passion for the topic. 
6. You have defined your niche market. There are new books added to the bookshelves everyday. Yours will need to stand out to get noticed. If your book sounds like 2000 others it will not make any difference how intriguing you think the book is it wont get noticed. You must first define your niche market before beginning your book. 
7. You have a marketing plan. You have an idea of how you are going to market your book. You already have an online presence but you have ways to promote your book when it is published. 
8. You want to be seen as an expert in your field. Published authors are seen as more credible than their unpublished peers.
9. You have made a daily practice of writing. Setting aside time to write daily will make the process easier.
10. You have a great head shot for the back of the book. If good hair days are infrequent, it could be a sign that you are almost ready.

Are you ready?

Can you think of other ways to know you are ready to write and publish a book?

Comments

[Catarina Alexon]

Good list Julia. I agree with you. A book can be a very useful tool for promoting your business and establishing yourself as an expert on your field.

If you are ready and most of the points in the list apply to you - go for it!

[Keyuri Joshi (on the ball parent coach)]

I have two book ideas and love your list. I've got to work on a couple of the suggestions. Where does fear of flopping fit in?!?

[Chris Paulsen]

Julia,

I've been following your blog and you are clearly authoritative on the subjects of writing and publishing. This post gives the reader plenty to consider and provides as checklist if one wants to be published. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Best regards,
Chris

[Laura Sherman]

Definitely, I agree! I love this article and love that you encourage others to write and get their niche markets defined and known! People are sitting on a lot of knowledge and need a little nudge to get going.

[Julia M Lindsey]

Keyuri

If you have a good online platform, a good marketing plan and you have narrowed your topic you should not be afraid to write the book. A good team of professionals will make sure your book is good. If you are writing a novel rather than a non fiction book you will want to consult someone that specializes in fiction.

Julia

[Julia M Lindsey]

Chris

Thank you for your encouragement. I am glad to know you find the information valuable.

Julia

[Rob Berman]

Julia:

I like the tongue in cheek aspect of some of the items. It seems easier to write an e-book than a hard copy book. Less muss and fuss. Easier to update and change based upon feedback. Do you encourage e-books?

Rob

[Julia M Lindsey]

Rob
Yes I would encourage e-books. You are missing out on a whole different set of readers if you dont also have an e-book. I think authors should have both versions.

[Susan Oakes]

Really good points Julia. Would another one be if your readers, subscribers etc suggest you write a book?

I think your point about having money to invest is important and I suspect some may not think about it.

[Sherryl Perry]

Julia,
I think the initial investment in publishing a book is one reason why self-publishing is so tempting these days. What do you see as the biggest advantage of going with a publisher - or - biggest disadvantage of self-publishing?

[Julie Weishaar]

Hi Julia,

That is a great list you put together. I lose from #4 and #10? That criteria I make with no problem - I can't think of the last time I had a GOOD hair day LOL

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[Dvorah Lansky]

Julia, you bring up a very important point. Often people think that they need to be marketing their book AFTER they publish it. You illustrate several good reasons for establishing an online presence and becoming known as an expert in your field before the book is published. Bravo!

[Bruce Serven]

Hi Julia,

Looking at this list, apparently I have a few things to check off before I pursue that book deal.

Question though.. Does it matter if it is a printed book or an ebook - is it still the same requirements?

One thing I see missing from the list though (going on the basis that the online followers are outer circle level) is an inner circle of trusted friends/advisors who believe in you & your goal and will help you achieve it (possibly by helping you to proofread and make constructive criticism to improve the product).

I would like to write a book but the right subject hasn't found me yet. My blog is definitely helping to iron out the wrinkles in my writing. Several friends have had their books published recently, so it has been interesting to see them go through the process and achieve the "published author" status. As an aside, it is interesting that most of them have not made a dime off the book itself (and one of the guys, he is spending more on the book tour than what he was paid to write the actual book), but a few have picked up speaking gigs or been quoted by other sources. Therefore, it seems to be a notoriety and pride of achievement thing more than it is a financial incentive, especially since authors like Seth Gobin are leaving the game).

Thanks for the checklist.
Bruce