0 Words to 60,000
The Beginning of 0 Words To 60k
Last night took an L but tonight I bounced back.
As many of you know for the last month and some change I was pushing my Kickstarter for a superhero themed children’s book/experience I created. I had lofty goals of hitting $40k to help create an app, finish the musical soundtrack, create an animated cartoon and ensure that children all around the world would be able to read books featuring diverse characters. I called this the ultimate superhero experience as I wanted to go beyond just books.
Sadly my Kickstarter fell short. Like I’m talking about flat on its face!
I know, I know, rough huh.
I did all that I could as a one man team, from getting publicity for my books, which you can check out here and here, teaming up with amazing partners and reaching out to everyone that would listen to me about my project.
As time drew closer to the final days of my project and I realized I wasn’t going to hit my goal, I felt like I fell into the sunken place.
I went through various emotions.
On one hand I felt a bit of sadness because I failed. At the same time I blamed myself for not presenting the message clearly enough to get people to donate. The next thing I felt was rage that people who supported the idea and thought it was great but did not donate. And the final thing I felt was hope that people wanted these kind of stories, it was just up to me to figure out how to get it to them.
All of these happened around my 26th birthday which was on July 3rd and the campaign ended on July 6th. So I wasn’t in much of a celebrating mode compared to other birthday years.
Once I crawled out the sunken place and got out my feelings, I decided to do what I enjoy doing most, write. I bunkered down and mapped out my superhero universe; I would show you a picture, but I can’t give too much away.
After that, I decided to do something that’s a little bit crazy, okay it’s absolutely crazy. I decided to create a brand new series from scratch within the very same superhero universe I created.
My previous two book series were created for children ages 4–12. Writing those stories presented a challenge within itself as I am limited in both the amount of words I can use and the type of words I can write. This new book series is for young adults and adults and the best part is that it’s still within my superhero world.
So what in the world is 0 words to 60k? Well in short, that’s about how many words I wrote for the novel over the span of a few days. It’s also approximately the length of a young adult novel.
This series is to help writers who are sitting on the sideline contemplating creating their first novel. I want to force you to get into the game and publish that book.
This is a step by step journey that I’m taking by posting twice a week here on Medium as well as on my YouTube channel. I’ll be giving you a peek behind the scenes at the entire process, and in a month you’ll have your first book written and published on Amazon or whatever platform you decide to use.
I’ll be the first to tell you; I don’t know everything. But what I do know is that a lot of people allow that to stop them from telling their story or pursuing their idea. Well no longer. I could have let failure destroy me, but I didn’t. I’m pushing ahead, and together we can achieve greatness and #SlayTheDay.
If you want to join in this process and go from 0 words to 60k then join the private Facebook group and lets get it cracking!
In my next video, I’ll document exactly how I lay out my writing structure to be able to turn books around so fast, and I’ll even give you a look at the first 5,000 words which I knocked out in a few hours.
Hit the subscribe button. And Tune in on Thursday for the next video.
How to Self-Publish a Book
They say that “every detail counts,” but something I’ve noticed is sometimes all the details aren’t given or provided.
I realized this when I first researched how to self-publish a book. People provide you half of the answer and then want you to pay for the rest or they give you options that you can’t afford.
In short, you rarely find a step by step guide to actually doing the smaller things to get your book published.
So, for all those interested in self-publishing and don’t know how to, grab a pen and paper because this is for you.
Step 1 — Write A Book
Yup, that goes without saying. None of the things I say below will help you out if you don’t have your book written. So, let’s start there.
I’m all about that free life, so I free tools like Notes (for the Mac), DraftIn or Google Docs are where I begin my writing process.
I start by laying out my concept, the characters and the theme of the book. This last part is vital for me since my stories are for children.
Don’t worry about editing, pour all your ideas onto the paper. My school of thought is that it’s never a bad thing to have too many words. When you do begin editing you will end up changing things up to make sure that it flows, so focus on writing.
Step 2 — Editing
Most self-published authors are on a limited budget, meaning, whatever we can do not to spend money, we will do it! If you are a signed author, your book goes through multiple rounds of revision with an editor and a proofreader.
The proofreader combs through your work looking for errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting. While the editor looks at the writing to make sure the story moves fluidly and that your work targeting the right audience.
However, you’re not a signed author, not yet at least, so, for now you have to do your own editing and proofreading.
I use two tools to make sure my writing is up to par. The first tool I use is Grammarly. All of my books were edited using Grammarly and boy has it made a world of difference.
Grammarly is a writing-enhancement platform that acts as a proofreader, making sure you’re not incorrectly spelling words, using passive voice vs active voice, among so many other things. There is both a free and paid version of the app, so no matter your budget you can get your worked proofread at your convenience.
Now, after you run your work through Grammarly, it is time to take it over to this little jewel called Hemingway App.
Hemingway App is your personal editor helping you write with a clear and direct voice. The best part about the app is that based off your writing it gives you a readability score which is tied to a grade level . The easier your work is to read, the younger the grade level is. This feature works well when writing for younger children.
Step 3 — The Book Cover
You have done the hard part which is writing your book, making sure it has been edited and proofread; now, it’s time to work on the coveted book cover.
They say, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but, let’s be real, a great book cover is what catches your eye and makes you want to peek inside. So you have to come correct!
If you have the luxury of being a skilled artist or designer, then you won’t have to worry much here. But, if you’re anything like me and design is not your strong suit, then pay attention!
You will need to outsource or hire someone that is Chef Curry with the design skills. Websites like UpWork and Freelancer.com are both great sites to hire talented designers for reasonable prices. Do a google search and you will find tons of other freelance websites. You can expect to spend anywhere up to $50-$200 for a solid designer. The more you spend, the better your cover will most likely look.
I know when I first started, I didn’t have $200 to spend on a book cover, I barely had enough for my cellphone bill. Don’t worry, if you’re looking for something even cheaper, I have just the thing for you.
Just like its name, work is done starting for $5. I kid you not! You can get a book cover made for just $5. It won’t be the best cover in the world, but, it’s a great starting place.
If you have no budget, no problem, there’s an option for you here too. You can use sites such as Canva to help you create an amazing and epic book cover.
Canva is like Photoshop for non-photoshoppers. This drag and drop platform has tons of book cover templates, cool fonts and royalty free photos to use to make your cover. They even provide you with the correct measurements to use for various book publishing sites. While the app is free to use, some photos and pre-made templates do cost money, I’m talking about $1. There are so many free options to choose from that you won’t need to pay.
Bonus Step — Children’s Books
This is for writers who are creating illustrated children’s books. If you are hiring an illustrator using a platform such as UpWork or Freelancer, it’s imperative that you make your hiring post as specific as possible. Below is a script you can use to make sure you land the best artist for your work. I used this very same script to create the illustrations for my book series, Adventures with Jade.
Looking to have a character illustration for a children’s book I’m writing geared towards children aged 3–6.
The character is a young African American girl named Jade. She is five years old and goes on superhero adventures with her sidekick Rhyme (which is a stuffed panda).
I’m looking to have an illustration created of Jade holding Rhyme while dressed in her superhero gear.
The illustration style I’m looking for is similar to (insert art inspiration)
I’ve attached an image of the (insert art inspiration) visuals as well as an inspiration for what I wish to have Jade dressed like. Her superhero outfit should make her look cool, tough and not the traditional “girl attire.”
The artist I choose will be working on bringing the remaining book to life.
In the end, I need both PNG/JPG and the original EPS or AI files.
If you accept this project, you are selling the copyright of all images
Thanks
P.S. Images should be in color.
P.P.S. Also, will provide illustrator with credit on published book.
You don’t have to give your illustrator credit if you don’t want, it’s just nice to show them some love.
Step 4 — ISBN/Barcode
We’ve all seen a 10 or 13 digit code on a book followed by a barcode that’s scanned when purchasing or renting a book. That number is and International Standard Book Number or ISBN for short. Each number and its corresponding barcode are unique and connected to a book.
If you want to self-publish and be able to sell your work in stores you’ll need to buy an ISBN code as well. Even if you don’t want to sell in stores, but plan on making your book as big as it can be, then I’d purchase an ISBN code. The reason being is that if you don’t and you self-publish on Amazon for example, they will provide you with an ISBN, however, say that you book does blow up, they can use your book in any manner that they wish as they technically own the rights to it.
So long story short, BUY YOUR OWN ISBN!
To my knowledge, Bowker is the only company able to sell ISBNs in the U.S.
You can get 1 ISBN for $125 or 10 for $ 295.
Shocking right?
It’s expensive as all heck! And unfortunately, there is no way of getting around it.
Keep in mind that for every various book format you create, you’ll need to use a different ISBN. For example, if you plan to offer an eBook, a softcover book and a hardcover book, you’ll need three separate ISBN’s.
Please, note that a barcode is not the same as an ISBN. Oh, and guess what? Bowker sells barcodes separately.
I know, I know, craziness. Don’t fret, here’s a quick tip:
DON’T BUT ANY BARCODES FROM BOWKER!
You can get them for free on a website called Bookow. Simply enter your 13 digit ISBN, the selling price of your book and voila, a barcode will be generated for you. Download the files and place them on your book.
You’re welcome.
Step 5 — Pace Yourself
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your book. It’s going to be a long journey so make sure to take breaks and rest. When I wrote and published my first children’s book, I tried to get everything done ASAP and because of that I got burnt out and made a lot of mistakes.
Take some time and chill out while streaming over 140 live channels or watch your favorite show on the go using the FiOS Mobile App, get some exercise in or read a book. Speaking from experience, don’t cast away your friends, go hang out with them. You don’t have to hustle 24/7. Anyone that tells you otherwise is not realistic. Value these interactions and these moments to relax. Often times through these moments you’ll have a breakthrough or find inspiration for your own work.
Don’t skip this part!
Step 6 — Book Formatting
This is a step that is often overlooked, but is essential. Most platforms that you are going to sell your book on have a specific way that your book must be formatted.
For the most part, eBooks must be formatted as ePUBs, but, that same style does not always translate when uploading your book for print.
To remove the hassle that comes with having to watch YouTube videos, I’m willing to help format your book. Just shoot me an email at chris@ccoleman.me with the subject, “I need help formatting my book.”
It is way too complicated to explain, just know that it is one of the last hurdles before you get to printing your book.
Step 7 — Printing
Congrats, you’ve made it this far, but the journey is far from over!
It’s time to get your book printed and out to the world, but, how?
Do you want to have your books printed on demand (POD) or do you want to foot the bill and buy in bulk?
Let’s weigh the two options. I will say this upfront, if you do not do speaking engagements, visit schools, libraries, and conferences, actively sell your book at events or in person or have a large social media following or existing community or email list that you own, then print on demand may be the best option for you in the beginning.
Createspace (an Amazon company) and IngramSpark (formerly known as Lighting Source) are two of the most well-known companies out there to help you to do POD or purchase books in bulk.
POD is great because you don’t spend any money at all. When someone buys your book through Amazon or IngramSpark, these companies take a percentage of the sale and then sends you your cut. They deal with shipping and handling as well as returns if someone really hates your work. You don’t have to hold inventory or continuously run to the post office to ship out your work. Amazon is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, and you have the potential to reach readers from all around the world.
The downside is this, unless your book does crazy numbers, you will not make much money doing this option as people are used to paying lower prices on platforms such as Amazon.
On the flip side, while you do foot the bill upfront when buying in bulk you have a higher return on your investment if you can sell your books that is. The more books you purchase, the less you pay. People are also more willing to buy a book for a higher price point directly offline than online. This method requires a few more pieces to make it work, including, access to your audience by way of speaking, appearances and more.
The End
Well, that was quite the ride wasn’t it. I’m glad you are interested in finally taking the next steps in your writing career. There is no better feeling then seeing the completed project. One that I hope each and every aspiring author gets to enjoy.
Now, its time to go turn your book into reality! Make sure you keep me updated on your project by either sending me a tweet, @ItsChrisColeman or hitting me up in my emails at chris@ccoleman.me.
Looking forward to hearing from you all and good luck!
How To Plan, Before You Write And Tapping Into The Amazon Method
I’ll be upfront with you; everyone has a different approach. What works for me will not necessarily work for you. And in fact it may piss you off a bit, but, that’s okay. Hopefully, it spurs you to continue taking action.
Before, I jump into this, make sure you go back and read the other parts in this series!
The Beginning of 0 words to 60k
Writing is all about finding a system that works for you and then identifying ways to improve that system.
For me, I use a straightforward system; it’s called Notes. Yes, the notes app that comes handy with any iPhone or Android device (or Windows Phone/Blackberry if you happen to have one of those).
If you have an Android device and write using a Mac, you might want to check out the app Evernote. You can easily sync your notes between your two devices thanks to the cloud.
Back to what I was saying.
Notes, I use them all the time. Anytime I come up with an idea, both good or bad; I write it down in my notes. Mostly these are concepts for future books that I may or may not write.
As you can see above, I wrote down a quick little blurb for what I dubbed the Naruto book (it’s a popular anime/manga) back in 2014. The actual book which was the premise for what became my first children’s book called the Beta Crew was not released until last summer. It took me two years which is crazy to think about, and the story is completely different from the end product but nonetheless, I first started with writing my idea down.
What I’m showing you is that before any book comes to life it is first planned out. Below is one of the first versions of the Adventures with Jade book from back in December of 2016.
Some people use writing apps such as Scrivener, which is a planning and formatting software that allows writers to plan out and write their story in an organized manner.
That’s a paid service, so if you’re looking for things on the free free, then Google Docs, Microsoft Word or Apple Pages work just fine.
What’s Next?
So what exactly should you do once you commit to where you’re writing out your story?
Well, you need some characters and a premise. But before you even get into that, you need to know if people are interested in what you’re planning on writing about. I know someone will comment with, “Why should that matter, writing is art. You should write what you feel!” Yes, that is true, write whatever kind of story you feel. That is great! But it doesn’t mean anyone will read it, which also means you probably won’t make any money off of it.
If that is fine for you and you’re doing it for the culture, cool. IF you are interested in making something from your hard work, then you have to do some research, research research.
The Amazon Method
Visit Amazon.com, head on over to the genre that you’re looking to write about. Look at the top books in that niche. Read the comments, pour over the book cover, digest all of the things that people say they like and don’t like about it. Take that data and use it to help create your story.
Now, one little note here, you don’t have to go and write an entire Harry Potter size novel. The beauty of Amazon, especially it’s Kindle section is that there are all kinds of books available for readers to enjoy. Since we are trying to maximize your success rate we want to create bodies of work in a genre that people devour daily.
Proof of Concept
IF you aren’t a fast writer or have less time on your hands, starting out, maybe writing short stories or novelettes works well for you. The reason I suggest this type of thing is because it helps you create a proof of concept. If people begin to buy the novelettes, you can turn around and package that into a full fledge novel and sell it.
This type of writing is very similar to what’s done in the tech world. It’s called creating an MVP aka a Minimum Viable Product.
You don’t waste time on building out the entire product because you aren’t sure if that is what people really want. So to prove that it is, you create something that is the bare minimum of what you will eventually create and then showcase it to the world.
This approach allows you to collect feedback quickly from users or in our case readers, paying readers mind you and quickly adapt your content. This strategy works increasingly well when writing for Amazon Kindle as you don’t have to worry about people who brought a book. Just by updating your document on Amazon, readers will have the latest version within 24–48 hours.
It’s Writing Time
Now that the research is done and you understand the concept of finding genres or niches to write about, we’re now ready to begin drafting up the body of the book.
When I write, I start with what the book is going to be about and then the main characters and villains. If you can fit your book concept into 140 characters that’s great. You can now quickly tell someone what your book is about in one or two sentences and you don’t run the risk of having diarrhea of the mouth and spilling all of the tea.
From there I build around those characters. What kind of environment do these characters come from? What is special about them or what situation are they involved in that they have to solve? What trials do these characters go through? Is this a one off ordeal or can I draw it out over a series? I tend to lean towards series because it gives you a chance to develop the characters over time vs in one book.
After I draft this out, I start writing. Many of the things that end up in my story I make up as I write. I don’t always have the answer when I do my short outlet of characters and theme for the book; it just comes to me as I go.
When it comes to character dialogue, I enter into every conversation acting as the character who is speaking. I keep in mind their personality, and I draw from that to write out the conversations.
I’m not sure how other writers go about doing this, but this structure or lack there of works for me.
After I hit the word length I’m looking to achieve, I throw it into Grammarly and begin the editing process which I’ll cover in a later post.
Please keep this in mind when writing, this approach and style are not the traditional way of publishing, but, then again we aren’t trying to be traditional. We are making sure our writing gets out and in front of the people, rather than, sitting on our computers constantly being reworked over and over again.
This type of strategy is to help you go from writer to author. A published author! Yes, you’re going to make mistakes, and your first few bodies of work will be trash compared to your later work, but, one thing no one can ever take away from you is the fact that you hit the publish button.
The End
Congrats you have taken the first step to building a fan base and community.
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