If you are in the process of writing a novel, especially if it’s your first time, how to outline a novel can seem like a daunting task. If you are used to writing without any structure, outlining may appear to be constraining. Having a plan before you start your story can seem like your creativity is being restricted, forcing you to stick with a specific plotline.

However, outlines can be great if you know exactly what you want out of your story. If you run into a period of writer’s block, you can take a look at your outline for reference. Simply put, outlines give you a safety net if or when you need more creative assistance. 

With that being said, there is no right or wrong way to write a book. You may try to use an outline only to find yourself deviating from your original plans. That is perfectly fine, and creative freedom should be celebrated as you write your novel.

Even so, if you are interested in giving it a try, here is a 10-step guide on how to outline your novel. 

Familiarize Yourself With the Purpose of an Outline

A book outline is a structured resource that prepares your story and includes details of your plotline for you to view at any time. It is essentially the skeleton of your novel, including a very broad concept of a much more complicated object. 

Depending on the genre you’re writing, your outline may have slight differences, but the purpose will remain the same. No matter what you are writing about, an outline is a tool that includes all of the ideas you have for your novel in one space. 

Outlines can help you avoid writer’s block, write fast, and finish your first draft. You may not feel like you need it, and some writers don’t use one at all. However, if you familiarize yourself with the purpose of an outline, you may find that it becomes an essential part of your writing strategy. 

Start With The Main Concept

If you can, summarize your entire novel in one sentence. Have this sentence placed at the very beginning of your outline and stick with it. This one sentence will determine your entire novel’s premise, allowing you to get a better idea of its setting, characters, and plot points. 

With this broad concept, you can begin to delve deeper into your novel. However, try not to get carried away. Starting with a general idea prevents you from veering off into too many directions. Start simple before getting into some of the more complicated aspects of writing your novel. 

Put Your Main Character in Danger

Otherwise known as in Medias Res, consider having your story start in the middle of intense plot development. Putting your main character in a perilous situation will make your readers want to know what happened to them, thus allowing you to flesh out the story and provide an explanation as to how they get there. 

This may look different with certain genres, but having a general danger that your character has to overcome will add more stakes to the story. For example, a fantasy story may mean having your main character overthrow an evil ruler, while a romance’s danger may include a love triangle. 

Outline a Story Structure

If you have ever observed a classic story structure, you know that every novel has a basic beginning, middle, and end. When broken down into parts, this equates to exposition, rising action, a climax, falling action, and a resolution. 

Go through each point in the story structure to pace your novel evenly. Brainstorm ideas that you could fit into each segment without necessarily going into too much detail. If you can even think of a character being incorporated into that portion of the plotline, that is enough. 

Create Your Story’s Plot

Take the one-sentence plot summary and bring it up a notch. Instead of just have one sentence that represents the entire novel, come up with a complete plot summary. This will help you work with the details you need later on.

This does not mean that you need to have everything planned and ready. This simply allows you to get a better idea of where you want your story to go. Sometimes, all you need is a general plot description to get your creative juices flowing. At the very least, try to come up with a definitive beginning, middle, and end. 

Fold in Little Details Over Time

After you have identified your plot, story structure, and main character, start adding more details in between segments of your story. For example, instead of simply knowing your beginning, middle, and end, start delving deeper into the process of getting there. 

This can also include little moments between other characters, getting from one location to another, or inciting incidents that may need a little breathing room for character development. With that in mind, remember that it is merely a brainstorming process, so don’t feel the need to write completely separate outlines for every new detail.

Identify the Characters in Your Novel

Create character maps that identify each player’s skills, personality traits, weaknesses, and strengths. Describe their physical attributes and elements that make them stand out. This will not only help you create them, but it will also allow readers to relate to these characters on a personal level.

More than anything, character development is a significant part of reading novels. Your readers will want to see your characters change and develop throughout your novel, so make sure that you’re pointing out where significant events happen and which character is involved with that specific scene. 

Establish Major Scenes

Finally, once you’re done completing the majority of your novel, point out inciting incidents that occur in your novel. These will be the driving force of your novel’s pacing, allowing your readers to want more as they go along.

It is important to find a healthy balance with your writing. If you take up too much time to establish character, setting, or exposition, your readers may get bored. If you keep travelling from one moment to another without fleshing out your characters, your readers may feel extremely rushed. Try to do a little bit of both, and you will create a powerful, engaging story. 

Visualize Your Outline

Utilize resources like storyboards, post-it notes, or bubble maps to visualize your outline.

Sometimes, being able to see everything as you continue writing can greatly help you maintain your focus and avoid writer’s block.

This will be slightly different from your regular outline, as it should be solely visible and easy to reach. It also shouldn’t have everything that is included in your outline. Use a document to refer to the smaller details and save visual outlines for main ideas. 

Start Writing!

Once you have completed your outline, it’s time to start writing your novel! With a resource like an outline at the ready, you will be capable of overcoming any obstacle. Instead of giving up on writing projects because of writer’s block, you will have an entire story developed and ready to go. 

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to write, it’s simply a matter of doing it. Once you have created an outline, the most difficult elements of storytelling will be completed. So get your outline created, open up a blank page, and start writing your novel!

Not all writers use Epilogues, but many do.

Effectively written ones can certainly satisfy the reader and tie up your story.

On the same note, a poorly written one can have the opposite effect.

So should you write an Epilogue?

Today we’ll dive into what is an Epilogue, when to add one, and how to write a good one.

Epilogue Definition

While a Prologue comes at the beginning of your novel, and Epilogue is at the end. It”s the “concluding word” of your novel and it offers a complete resolution.

Most often, the Epilogue is set in the future. It is like a “where are they now” glimpse of your primary characters.

But how can you know if your novel needs one?

Many editors state that stories with powerful endings don’t need an Epilogue.

Still, an Epilogue can be a good thing when done right. Under some circumstances, the Epilogue will complete your story and delivery ultimate satisfaction to the reader.

Examples of Famous Epilogues

Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)

Orwell tells readers about the Manor Farm many years in the future. He reveals the fate of the characters from the revolution. One of the most famous lines from this Epilogue is “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (2007)

J.K. Rowling created one of the most popular modern Epilogues in this novel. She delivers the satisfaction readers have been stretching through the series for. The scene is set 19 years in the future, where readers get to see adult life for Harry Potter and his adult life. Many readers found the Epilogue highly rewarding, as it offered reassurance and a positive wrap-up

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)

The Epilogue from this book is set 200 years in the future. In it, a historian found Offred’s story through a collection of oral tapes. He transcribed them into “The Handmaid’s Tale” and suggests he is not sure of the validity of the story. This is a bomb for invested readers who became invested in the story.  Some complained about the ending, but the author argues that it reflects how peoples’ stories may be erased from the official record.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Colling (2009)

The Epilogue for this story tells readers about how Katniss, the heroine of the novel, is doing. It is years in the future when Katniss has her own children. This part reveals that the experience has been trying and Katniss is struggling to cope and pass her legacy.

Epilogue vs Afterword

Some people confuse the Afterword and Epilogue, but they are not the same.

The Afterword is about how your novel came to fruition. It often promotes the author and other books.

The Epilogue ties up loose ends and provides an ultimate ending.

The purpose is key for an Epilogue.

You either want to show the reader where your main character ended up after the story, or it should pave the way for a future novel/series.

However, the Epilogue should not restate your theme or emphasize the moral of the story. That must have been accomplished via the story itself.

Additionally, readers should leave the Epilogue satisfied. They should not be confused as to what happened or what is going on.

To recap, the Epilogue should not:

• Leave the reader confused.
• Create a frustrating cliffhanger.
• Follow a weak ending.
• Be too extensive.

Should You Use an Epilogue?

Opinions vary, but the overarching answer is that you should not force an Epilogue. If you said it all in your ending, then leave it that way. Carefully evaluate the purpose and pros and cons of an Epilogue for your story before writing one.

Steps for Writing an Epilogue

Now it’s time to dive into the nitty-gritty of writing an Epilogue. Here are some simple steps to follow:

Future Setting

The Epilogue should be set in the future. Let some time pass between the end of your story. The amount of time depends on your particular story. For example, it could be as short as a few days or weeks, or as far as a hundred years in the future. The main key is that your readers find out what happened to the main characters.

Set Up a Sequel

If you plan to write a future narrative, set it up here. Reveal only enough information to hint that more is coming.

Tell About Your Hero

Reader’s want to know about your protagonist. Reveal what happened to him in the future.

Reveal New Information

Add a new perspective to your story. By revealing new perspectives, you can shed light on your climax. This can deepen the conclusion and get readers to think about it again.

FAQs

How long should the Epilogue be?

This depends on what you have to say. The length will vary, but keep it short and concise. Don’t drag it out or overshare.

How can I start an Epilogue?

Start in the future. Think about what became of your main characters. Answer any lingering questions the reader may have.

Do I need an Epilogue?

Your novel should not need an Epilogue to be complete, still, some may benefit from it.

The Takeaway

Now time for the ultimate question. Should you write an Epilogue?

The truth is that most books don’t need an Epilogue.

If your novel has a strong ending, then it should not need one. However, it can help in some situations.

The beauty is that you as an author can decide. Each novel and story is different. Use your best judgment to determine the right decision for your novel.

If you need more guidance or writing tips, check out our blog.

Whether or not you include an Epilogue, Pillow Talk Books is a great place to get it in front of readers. With us, you can get dedicated readers and powerful reviews. With an author account, you can access our powerful author promotion tool to get your book to more readers. Run promotions and easily manage them. Manage all of your books in one place and communicate with fans. Better yet, it’s free and easy to sign up for the author dashboard.

You can also create a free account at Crave Book. To sign up click HERE.

Writing a book is a challenge regardless of your experience level.

Even the most seasoned authors use tools to help streamline the process.

Book writing software is excellent for organizing, writing, and editing a manuscript. It can help you write concisely and deliver your message in the best way.

Today, we’ll review some of the most helpful manuscript writing tools all writers should check out!

Google Docs

As part of the Google suite, Google Docs is a tool many are at least somewhat familiar with. It is an excellent collaborative writing tool that can facilitate efforts from teammates across the world.

Google Docs is free, and it allows several people to edit a document at the same time. This standard word processor allows you to track changes and provide suggestions as well. Anyone with access can accept or reject changes or leave comments.

Benefits of Google Docs 

• Fast and easy to share current work via a link.
• Accessible from iOS, PC, or mobile devices.
• Free to use.

Disadvantages 

• Must accept all changes to switch between Tracked Changes and Final Version.
• Slower performance for tracking change on long documents (80+ pages).

Scrivener

Scrivener is a powerful tool for organizing your writing process. You can create, organize, and edit your notes, research, outline, and manuscript in one cohesive place. It also allows you to quickly and easily print your manuscript.

Scrivener has many helpful features for writers in all stages of their careers.

Benefits 

• Organize note cards with the virtual corkboard
• Drag-and-drop functionality for outlines
• Accessible via Mac, Windows, or mobile iOS.
• Integrate within Microsoft Word and other common programs.

Cons

• No free version. It costs $49 for Mac and $40 for a PC.
• The abundance of features can be overwhelming and confusing for new users. There is a significant learning curve, but it may help to review teaching programs and the built-in tutorials.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAd is an excellent tool for style, grammar, and other writing suggestions. The app integrates with common apps and programs writers use like Google Chrome, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Scrivener. As you write, it will provide suggestions that you can accept or reject instantly.

Advantages 

• Free version available
• In-app Theasaurus
• Grammar checker based on context
• Helpful explanations of suggested changes

The major drawback of ProWritingAid is that you need a premium account to use the most helpful features. The premium version is fairly affordable, costing $50 for a year, or:

• $75 for 2 years
• $100 for 3 years
• $175 for life

Try out the free version first and then decide if a premium account is right for you.

Grammarly

Grammarly is an alternative to ProWritingAid. It provides suggestions to help clean up your writing. No matter what you are writing, Grammarly automatically assesses spelling and grammar.

It includes a free version, but the premium version provides deeper assessments for sentence/story structure, word choice, plagiarism, style, and more.

Pros 

• Free version
• Has a Google Chrome plug-in for easy use on the web.

Cons

• Does not integrate with Scrivener
• No access for mobile devices
• Best features behind the premium paywall. An account is $29.95 per month, $59.95 for 3 months, or $139.95 per year.

Evernote

Evernote is a helpful note-taking application. Sync your notes across devices, and share them with anyone who can access your account. Using Evernote, you can save web articles, screenshots, and PDFs to a central location.

Easily search within Evernote to find the notes you need. Integrate it with other writing programs and tools, like Google Docs. you can even scan and save documents to personalized templates.

The Basic Evernote version is free. Premium is $7.99 per month or $14.99 for a Business account.

Milanote

Milanote is similar to Evernote, as it allows users to organize notes in one place. It’s a visual story-boarding tool that you can use as a whiteboard or storyboard. Upload images and text or save images, weblinks, and text. The Basic version is free, but the premium version is $9.99 per month.

Benefits

• Drag-and-drop functionality.
• Easy team collaboration.
• Free version

Drawbacks

• Limited export options including Word file, plain text, PDF, or PNG image.
• Only available online or on Mac.

Vellum

Professionally format books with Vellum. Vellum is a free software for Mac users, but it does require users to purchase a package before exporting the file for publication.

Benefits 

• Design and format your book.
• Choose from several style options.
• Easy to import.
• The app includes editing features.
• Preview eBooks and print books.
• Convenient export process.
• There is a package for unlimited exports.

Drawbacks 

• Only accessible for Mac.
• No word processing features.
• Fairly expensive. It costs $199.99 for unlimited eBooks. For unlimited eBooks and paperbacks, it’s $249.99.

FastPencil

FastPencil is a great tool for self-publishing. Its beneficial features include:

• Upload a manuscript or write in FastPencil.
• Book formatting tools.
• Publish print and eBook formats with included ISBN and retail barcodes.
• Sell your book globally.
• Royalties and sales management.
• Free to use for writing, designing, and formatting.

Cons

• Only available to use online.
• Publishing packages are expensive.

Reedsy Book Editor

Reedsy is free software that allows you to write, format, track changes, export files, and more. You can choose between classic or romance themes. This software is a great balance between affordability and feature-rich tools. It offers user-friendly functions and streamlines the formatting process while writing.

Use the “writing-mode” to insert scene or chapter breaks, add images, and write endnotes. Easily view previous manuscript versions. Once you are done, export Mobi, PDF, or EPUB file ready for distribution.

Pros 

• Easy to use.
• Typesets during the writing process.
• Self-publishing features.
• A focused tool that makes editing easier for writers.
• Unlimited exports.
• Free.

Cons

• A newer tool that still needs some improvements.

Hemingway Editor

This tool is focused most on writing style. It provides feedback for sentences to edit and overused words. The Hemingway Editor highlights any lengthy, passive, complex, or unnecessary sentences.

It’s free to use the Hemingway Editor website, where you will have to copy and paste the edited text to your document. You can also purchase your own version for $19.99.

Pros

• User-friendly and intuitive.
• Provides alternative suggestions for overused words.
• Text formatting features.
• Helps facilitate more concise writing.
• Gives edits and tips to improve writing style.
• Provides a writing rank by grade level.

Cons

• Flags most adverbs.
• Does not consider style or voice.

Novel Factory

Creative writers love Novel Factory. This software serves as a helpful guide through the creative writing process, which is ideal for many fiction writers.

The software gives prompts for developing the story’s premise, character development, notetaking, and the Hero’s Journey outline. The split-screen view and built-in word processor are major perks that many writers find helpful.

It’s only available for Windows at the moment, and it costs $39.99.

Streamline your writing process today with the right software and tools. There are many free and affordable options available to improve your writing, editing, and publishing process. Always try out the free version before moving to a paid tier. Get started today with some of the helpful software tools above!

To promote your book with EReader Girl click here.

No matter what kind of writer you or what genre you write in, you need to begin with an idea of where you will go with your story.

We all know the importance of a powerful beginning, middle, and end, but there’s a bit more to consider in terms of story structure.

The good news is that there are several basic story structures to choose from.

Today, we’ll share the 7 basic story structures that many top authors have used.

It’s all about finding what works best for you and your idea.

What is Story Structure?

Story structure is the bones that you will build your story around. It’s the foundation that helps you craft and organizes the conflict, climax, and resolution of your story. How you unfold your story builds tension and creates drama that will hook your readers from beginning to end.

Elements of a Story Structure

While there are 7 different types of story structures, they all have the same basic elements. Here’s what you will find in every story structure:

Opening

The opener of your story is where you reveal who the story is about. It’s also where you set the stage for your story’s primary challenge and the dilemma your character faces. With your opener, you must justify the contents of the entire story. This is where you grab your reader and get them invested in the journey of your main character.

A Pivotal Moment

There must be a catalyst that forces your character to act, a single incident that changes the course of the entire story. Here you must layout dire consequences for failing. Throughout your story, your character must then fight to prevent the dire consequence.

Challenges that Elevate Tension

Then, there will be a sequence of crises that build mounting tension. As your character tries his best to solve the problem at hand, things get progressively worse. All of these challenges are crucial for your character arc because along with the way he is learning new skills.

Climax

The climax is not the end of your story, but it feels like everything is hopeless.

The End

Finally, provide your readers with a satisfying ending. The End concludes your story, and it is here that your character ultimately fails or succeeds based on everything he has learned throughout. Make sure to tie up any loose ends to give your reader a satisfying ending that still wants him hoping for a sequel.

Story Structures

Classic Story Structure from Dean Koontz

This story structure is simple and only has 4 primary steps.

• Thrust your main character into “terrible trouble” as soon as you can. Terrible trouble depends on your genre, but it is the worst possible situation you can think of for your main character to be in. The situation must have high stakes, and only present it once you’ve gotten readers to care about your protagonist.
• Every move your character makes to escape the trouble only worsens the situation. Don’t make things too easy for your main character. Add logical complications that proceed logically, with the situation growing worse and worse.
• Make the situation appear hopeless. It should seem like your character cannot escape.
• Your hero will then succeed or fail in the end.

In Medias Res

This means “in the midst of things”. For this story structure, you begin in the middle of an event. The second your reader begins reader, he feels like he’s already in the middle of something.

The setting and backstory are layered throughout the story, as it progresses, rather than at the beginning. You cut the introduction and jump straight into the action.

This story structure helps you grasp your reader early.

The basic outline for In Medias Res is:

• Rising action
• Explanation/backstory
• Climax
• Falling action
• Resolution

The Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey is a popular choice for horror, science fiction, and fantasy novels. For this structure, the character heads into unknown territory and faces obstacles and challenges before ultimately triumphing. Through the journey, the hero is transformed. The basic layout is:

• The Ordinary World
• Call to adventure, the hero leaves the ordinary world.
• Refuse the call. The hero may try to refuse the call to action due to fear.
• Meet the mentor. The hero may acquire a personal mentor.
• The hero faces obstacles and acquires allies.
• Approach the goal. The hero nears his ultimate goal.
• Face the fear. The hero faces his biggest test.
• Reward. The hero can see an end in sight after a tough adventure.
• The road back. After acquiring the reward, more dangers await, the road back is not as easy as the hero thought.
• Resurrection. The hero meets his last test, this is the true climax.
• Triumphant homecoming. The hero returns, transformed.

7-Point Story Structure

It can often help to begin with your resolution and work backward to determine the 7 points.

• Hook. where your protagonist starts.
• Plot turn 1: Introduce the conflict that propels the story to its middle.
• Pinch point 1: Apply pressure to the main character who is working toward his goal. Typically this involves facing an antagonist.
• Midpoint. Your protagonist handles the conflict with action.
• Pinch point 2: Apply more pressure to your character, making it even more difficult for him to reach his goal.
• Plot turn 2: Push your story from midpoint to resolution. At this point, the protagonist has all of the tools and confidence to achieve his goal.
• Resolution: Reach the climax of your story, and then tie up the loose ends.

The Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson

This structure may work best for those who enjoy outlining their stories. Here is the 10-step Snowflake Method:

• Start with a one-sentence summary of your story.
• Expand the one sentence into a full paragraph. Include details of major events.
• Now, write a one-page summary for each character.
• Expand each sentence from #2 into a full paragraph.
• Create a one-page account of the story from each main character’s perspective.
• Expand each paragraph from #4 into a full-page synopsis.
• Add to your character descriptions to create full character charts.
• Based on the summary from #6, list the scenes you need to finish your story.
• Then, write a multi-paragraph description for each scene.
• Write the first draft.

The 3 Act Structure

This method dates all the way back to ancient Greece, and it’s a common format used in Hollywood. It’s simple and to the point.

Act 1: Set Up

Introduce your main characters and set the scene. Here, you’ll include your “inciting incident”, an obstacle that shakes up your protagonist and lays the foundation for the direction of the story.

Act II: Confrontation 

Introduce a seemingly small problem that unfolds to be more complicated. As your protagonist strives to solve the problem, it becomes more and more difficult.

Act III: The Resolution 

Lastly, create a good ending. For the ending to be enjoyable, it must be high stakes. Throughout the story, your protagonist developed the skills and grew enough to overcome the obstacles. Finally, present a solution where your character solves the problem.

A Disturbance and Two Doorways by James Scott Bell

• Disturbance. Set up the status quo, and then create a disturbance that threatens ordinary life.
• Doorway 1. This pushes your main character to the middle of the story. Once he enters doorway one, he can only move forward.
• Doorway 2. This leads to the last battle. It often leads to disaster.

The 7 story structures above will help guide you as you write a best-selling story. It’s all about finding the best story structure for your idea and writing style.

Knowing How To Publish A Book…Starts Here!

Our simple guide to publishing your book, we hope you like it.

Finally finishing writing your book is a huge accomplishment, but it’s only part of the process. 

Once you’ve completed the writing and editing, give yourself a pat on the back. Now is the time for publishing. 

The internet is filled with complicated and conflicting information about publishing a book. For a writer, all of the advice about publishing can be overwhelming. 

The two options you have for publishing are traditional and self-publishing.

What does each choice entail? Which is the best for you?

In today’s guide, we’ll explain the basics you need to know for publishing your book. 

What Is Traditional Publishing?

With traditional publishing, the publishing company takes the risks. They pay for:

• Proofreading
• Editing
• Typesetting
• printing/binding 
• Advertising
• Shipping
• Billing
• Author royalties, and more

When you work with a traditional publisher, you do NOT pay them. Instead, you are paid author royalties on the sales. If a publisher requests payment from you, they are not a traditional publisher. These publishers could be hybrid or co-op publishers, but they are not traditional ones. 

What Is Self- Publishing?

On the other hand, self-publishing means everything is on you. You are your own publisher and must source services, suppliers, finances, etc. You are the decision-maker and responsible for everything. With self-publishing, you are paying for printing, not publishing. 

Which Kind Of Publishing Is Best?

When you choose traditional publishing, you will only get a certain royalty % agreed upon by the publisher, whereas when you self-publish you get all of the profits. 

It may seem like you can earn more by self-publishing, but before jumping to self-publish you must consider the cost of doing so. Publishing on your own is a huge investment, so even if you earn more per book you have to consider if the “profit” will really be more than with traditional publishing. 

As a new publisher, you do not have the same experience and resources for promoting, marketing, selling, etc as a traditional publisher. Additionally, you’ll have to invest a ton of time in self-publishing, which could take away from your writing time and other operations. 

Overall, traditional publishing often allows you to sell more copies than self-publishing. That being said, there are some cases where self-publishing is ideal including:

• You have not been able to secure a deal with a traditional publishing company. This is NOT a sign that your writing is bad, it can also be the case if you have a limited audience or the traditional publisher thinks it has a less viable business proposition for some reason. 
• You have a smaller audience. If you have a smaller, niche audience for your book (maybe a few hundred people), self-publishing can make more sense. 
• Lack of commercial appeal. Professors or other people in occupations that require you to frequently publish content that may be relevant to limited audiences will also be better off self-publishing. 

Before deciding to self-publish or turn to a traditional company, do a bit of research on the services you need. Talk with other published authors about their experiences and the quality of work they got back. 

Beware of the “hybrid self-publishing” suppliers. They may have fancy websites, great reviews, and tempting prices, but too often they return a low-quality product. 

Some of the signs of a poorly “self-published” book to avoid include:

• Lack of editing/proofreading. 
• Limited interior design. 
• The word “by” before the author’s name on the cover. 
• Amateur cover art
• Misspelling “Foreword” and using the British spelling of “Acknowledgements.”

The $10,00 price tag of a hybrid service can be very tempting as a self-publisher, but if you plan right you should easily be able to beat that price on your own. 

The Challenges Of Traditional Publishing 

Traditional publishers will consider new writers. Most traditional publishers require that your submission is recommended by a current author. However, it can be challenging to get accepted by a traditional publisher, which is why you must make the decision that’s best for you. 

Right now, it’s fairly easy to self-publish and be “printed”, but becoming traditionally published is a huge challenge. It may take several chances and it will take a lot of effort to get a publisher to give you a chance. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Genre/category. Your genre will impact your target audience and which publishers make the most sense. 
• Why your target audience wants your book. Who is the target reader for your book? Tip #1, it’s not “everybody.” Zone-in here to think about who your specific audience is and why they will buy your book. 
• Build a platform. A platform is a place where you can build influence. Social media, blogging sites, and more can serve as a great platform for building a following who would be most interested in your book. Publishing companies will ask about this, so it’s important to put some time and effort into it. 

Pitching To Traditional Publishers 

Fiction writers: Submit a complete manuscript 

Non-fiction writer: Send a book proposal. It should include a short summary of each chapter and three full chapters. 

Pros And Cons Of Traditional Publishing 

Pros

• Exposure
• No out-of-pocket expenses
• Advance royalties (amount will vary)
• Professionals working on the editing, proofreading, and design of your books. 
• They handle marketing and promotion

Cons

• Rare and difficult to land a book deal. 
• Slow process to release the book. 
• Limited control over the process. The traditional publisher takes the financial risks, so they make the final decision on the cover, interior design, title, pricing, and promotions. 
• Potential income. Of course, there are outliers that make seven-figures, but most books never reach the royalty advance, and writers often overestimate the potential income. 

How To Publish A Book From A Traditional Publisher 

It’s quite challenging to land a book deal with a traditional publisher. Here are the basic steps for successfully publishing a book the traditional way:

Edit

Editing is absolutely essential for traditional publishing. The acquisition editors from publishing houses will only read a few pages before making a decision on if your manuscript is worth passing on. Your writing should be refined to its highest level before being sent to a publisher. Aggressively self-edit to give yourself the best shot at getting accepted. 

Work With A Publishing Agent

Agents are also very hard to land, but they can be a huge help for traditional publishing. The agent has connections in the industry and knows the publishing business. They will know the best publishers to go after and advocate on your behalf. Finding an agent is the best bet for traditional publishing, as the agent will help you understand the process and take care of the business aspect. 

Query Letter

A query letter is your first chance for an impression. It’s important to avoid selling your writing. This one-page letter should position you as a colleague and include:

• A one-sentence summary of your book’s premise. 
• A one-paragraph summary of your book, including what happens and how it turns out. 
• Your target audience and why your book appeals to them. 
• Personal information about your platform and your contact information. 

It goes without saying, but make sure to thoroughly edit and proofread your query letter before sending it. 

Craft Your Proposal 

The goal of the proposal is to earn an invitation for manuscript submission. Describe the details of your manuscript, don’t leave anything out. The proposal should garner interest and give the publisher a clear idea of your piece. Proposals for fiction should synopsize each chapter, and those for nonfiction should review the issues covered. A typical proposal is around 10-25 pages, the key is to be concise without leaving out anything important. 

Pros And Cons Of Self-Publishing

Pros:

• Lower barrier to entry. Anyone can self-publish a book with the help of print-on-demand technology. 
• You can control the publishing timeline. 
• You control the editing process. 
• You retain creative control over the design. 
• You determine the price. 
• Profit is nearly 100% after expenses are covered. 

Cons

• Thousands of people self-publish every day. 
• Everything is your responsibility.
• Limited visibility and exposure. Without the marketing and promotion of a traditional publishing house, it will be harder to get into bookstores. 
• Self-publishing “hybrids” will overpromise and underdeliver. You must do your research first. 

How To Self-Publish A Book

Just like with a traditional editor, you need to edit your book immensely before publishing. It often pays to hire a professional editor. Far too many self-publishers pour all their time into design and marketing, skimping out on editing and proofreading. 

Poorly edited books will instantly flop once they hit the market. While cover art and interior design certainly matter, ferocious editing should come first. Should you decide to hire a professional editor, look for a book editor with experience in your genre. 

Once you are certain of the writing quality, then it makes sense to spend some time on design. Avoid the common tropes of self-publishing mentioned above. Focus on creating a clean, simple book that looks like it was traditionally published. 

Should You Hire A Self-Publishing Company?

Many companies are taking advantage of self-publishing by offering services that you need. However, not all of these self-publishing companies are equal. With these hybrid companies, YOU are still the publisher, the one who has to pay the bills. 

Many hybrid companies claim to combine the benefits of self-publishing and traditional publishing, but these claims are rarely met with quality work. Before working with any “self-publishing” company, make sure to speak with other authors and carefully compare prices. 

Some of the most popular resources used to publish online are:

• iBooks: Publish books to the Apple iBooks store to distribute online. 
• Kindle Direct Publishing: Publish a Kindle eBook online. 
• Amazon Createspace: This is a print-on-demand option that will also allow you to print paperback copies for sale on Amazon. 

As a self-publisher you’ll also need to:

• Create an author website
• Upload your internet-compatible manuscript. 
• Purchase your International Standard Book Number (ISBN). 

But before jumping to self-publishing, put your best foot forward for traditional publishing. A traditional company will assume the risks. 

The cost of self-publishing will depend on the services you pay for (editing, proofreading, designing, etc). The more you do yourself, the less expensive it may be, but the more of your personal time it will take. Generally, self-publishing books cost between $1,500 and $10,000 depending on which services you outsource. 

Prepare To Publish Your Book

Ultimately, whether you market to traditional publishers or choose self-publishing, you need to ensure your writing is to the top standard. Spend serious time on writing, rewriting, proofreading, and editing to ensure that the quality of your manuscript is impeccable. 

Know the value proposition of your book. Truly consider your target reader, and why they would be interested in your book. Do your research about self-publishing services and traditional publishing houses that are best suited to your manuscript.

E-Reader Girl is here to help with your book marketing needs. Should you choose to self-publish your book, we’re happy to help with promotions, press releases, book cover designs, and more. Our author dashboard platform is easy and intuitive, helping you to get the exposure for your book that you deserve.

To learn more about how E-Reader Girl can help you sell your book, visit our website HERE. If you wish to learn book marketing tips click here