The Path to Publishing: 6 Steps to Take You From Idea to Impact
How do you turn an idea into a published book? There’s more to it than simply writing words on a page. Like any journey, a good roadmap can help you navigate the process and reach your destination.
Let’s start at the beginning. You’ve got an idea for a book. Maybe you’ve even run it by a trusted friend or mentor and they think you should write it. There are six steps to take you from here to holding your book in your hands.
Step #1: Clarify Your Goals & Your Key Idea
Before you can reach your destination, you need to be clear on where you want to go. Publishing has evolved. There are more ways than ever to get your professional nonfiction book into the hands of readers. Figuring out the best publishing route for you starts with your goals.
Do you want to grow your speaking and coaching business with a product in print?
Do you want to share your expertise with a wider audience?
Do you want to encourage and inspire, or help people with tools and tactics?
Do you want to check “Published Author” on your bucket list?
There’s no wrong answer, but different backgrounds, goals, and audiences can influence which route is best for you.
At the same time, it’s important to get clear on what your key idea is. A great nonfiction book helps the reader overcome a problem and change the outcome of their life or business. It helps them be the hero, as bestselling author and marketing pro Donald Miller says.
The first step in bringing a book to life is to define your goals and clarify your key idea.
Step #2: Aim for the Target: Your Ideal Reader
The books we love most are the books that feel like they’re speaking right to us! It’s the book that knows its target reader.
The second step in writing your book is to identify your ideal reader. Yes, you want to attract a great tribe of loyal readers. You want as many people as possible to be impacted by your book. But as my grandpa always said, the fish bite the best when you cast your line into the right spot. Get clear on exactly who you’re writing to.
Pull Quote: As my grandpa always said, the fish bite the best when you cast your line into the right spot.
Now you can also begin to make note of what makes your take on your topic unique. You have wisdom, expertise, or experience that no one else does. This is the key to unlocking the unique stories, illustrations, and examples that will help you teach and guide your reader.
Once you’ve clarified what you’re writing about and who you’re writing to, it’s time to build your book.
Step #3: Build Your Book: Outline, Structure, and a Full Manuscript
A good book has a flow and structure to help carry the reader through. This comes through the writing, but it starts with a clear outline and format.
Will you take the reader on a chronological journey of lessons learned through your experience? Or will you offer them a 30-day guide to get their business back on track? Not only will a structure and format help your reader, it will help you break the writing of your book into bite sized portions—one tip, one story, one chapter at a time.
Step 3 is where publishing paths begin to vary. If your goal is to sign a book deal with a traditional publisher, you’ll need to craft a compelling book proposal and polish sample chapters. But from there, you’ll want to focus on finding an agent and publisher before you write a complete book.
However, if you’re pursuing a self-publishing route or working with a hybrid publisher, you’ll need to keep writing. With your key idea, ideal reader, and clear outline, you’ll know exactly what you need to write or revise to complete a first draft of your full manuscript.
Step #4: Put It to the Test: The Developmental Edit
Like a home inspection or a pre-season game, this step allows your complete manuscript to be tested as a whole and any adjustments to be made to the overall content and flow.
A solid review from your publisher or developmental editor is a key step toward ensuring
your book is communicating the way you want it to. Is your message clear to an outside reader? Are you backing up your claims in a reliable and trustworthy way? Will this format draw your reader in and hold them to the end?
When we’re writing about concepts and ideas we know well, often we are too close to see what might be missing to an outsider. An editor’s fresh eyes and understanding of how readers interact with books can help you make sure the big picture of your book is solid and delivers on the promises you’ve made to your reader.
Step #5: Refine & Polish: Line & Copy Editing
Also known as the “Get Tough: It Might Hurt Your Feelings” stage, this is where every word counts. Good editors want to help you publish a professional book. They want your message to be clear and your words to shine.
That means you want them to read line by line, giving you a fair but honest evaluation of your work. You want them to help you pull out unnecessary and overused words. You want them to help you revise and tighten so your words work for you, drawing your reader in and helping them experience the transformation you promise.
The real difference between a great idea and a published book is the hard work to revise, polish, and make every sentence and subhead grab your reader and help them.
Step #6: Prepare to Publish: The Final Details
This stage looks different depending on your publishing route—how you’re publishing determines who will be responsible for each of these final details.
Some tasks to check off may include proofreading, finalizing front & back matter, gathering endorsements, formatting & design, creating bonus content, laying out marketing plans, and more. No matter which route you’re on, the details matter—this is where your manuscript becomes a book.
Each step along The Path to Publishing is key. Take them one at a time to write your book, grow your reach, and make an impact. And if you’d like to take the journey with a guide, reach out and schedule a call. Guided book coaching is all about helping you step by step—because no one should have to walk the path to publishing alone.
