Presenting….”Don’t Write A Crappy Book!” by James M Ranson
Besides our spotlight featuring the book, the author has shared an article with us. You’ll enjoy learning more about the author and his book. Below there is a link to check out other articles and interviews. Take a look and enjoy!
What’s Wrong With Just “Having A Book?”
By James M Ranson
Everyone should have a book. That’s the prevailing message in self-publishing these days. But there’s a difference between having a book and writing a book, and that difference doesn’t get delineated nearly often enough. And that’s a huge disservice to authorpreneurs who want to write successful business books.
If you just want to have a book, what you’re essentially saying is, “As long as my book exists, I’m not going to worry about how good it is.” And you will try to make the book happen as quickly, cheaply, and “hands-off” as possible, so that it exists sooner.
That’s why you see so many “Write Your Book in 60 Days or Less” type of book creation programs out there that fail to prioritize a quality finished product the author can be proud of, and so many companies that push a process in which the author is actually very hands-off to the writing of their book. Will those methods create books? Absolutely. Will they create really good books that your business can rely on for years to come? Not necessarily.
In Don’t Write A Crappy Book, I caution authors around pitfalls to the fast route. For example, if you’re going to speak your book, you need to realize that the transcript of what you spoke is not your finished book. You’ll need to work closely with an editor to turn that text into a workable manuscript. Similarly, if you have a bunch of blog or course content, you can’t simply throw it all into a Word document, reorder it a little, and call it a book. That’s not a finished book, it’s a draft, or the beginning of a draft. You’re going to need to work on that manuscript to make it into an actual book, to expand it, flesh parts out, move them around, include transitions, and so on.
This all boils down to the idea that just “having” a book is essentially wanting to have something without actually working for it. Now, I don’t think that works in any context, but I know it doesn’t work in a book context. If that’s how you write your book, your book will be mediocre, possibly even crappy. Because you won’t have invested yourself into making it better than that.
But if you’re engaged and invested in the book-writing process, working closely with people who can help make it better, putting in the time, effort and money to make it the best book it can be… yes, it’s going to take longer, it’s going to cost more, and it’s going to be a lot more work on your end, but the result that you get is going to help your business so much more in the long run.
The Tour
Book Details: Book Title: Don’t Write a Crappy Book by James M. Ranson
Category: Adult Non- Fiction, 210 pages
Genre: Business, Authorpreneurship
Publisher: Master Wordsmith Media, in association with Thanet House Books
Release date: Oct 1, 2018
Tour dates: Oct 8 to 31, 2018
Content Rating: PG for occasional mild swearing (hell and damn, mostly, one instance of “shitty”)
Book Description: A great book can launch your business into the stratosphere. Unfortunately, most self-published business books rank somewhere between “meh” and “flaming pile of crap.”
But your book doesn’t have to suck!
In “Don’t Write a Crappy Book,” editor and entrepreneur James Ranson unpacks the most common–and toxic–mistakes that first-time nonfiction authors make. Peppered with wisdom from a panel of industry experts, this book debunks the dangerous myths that can torpedo your text and offers clear, practical guidance for writing a book you’re proud of.
This is the resource for the aspiring authorpreneur who wants to write and publish a book with minimum hassle and maximum results. This book will teach you:
- How a self-published book can make or break your business (and the THREE factors that determine which it does)
- The biggest blind spots no one tells authors about (and how to look for them BEFORE it’s too late)
- How to write a first book that will get positive reviews on Amazon (and why that’s a better goal than becoming a bestseller)
- When writing a business book is the right move for you (and when you should NEVER write one)
- How to self-publish on Amazon to actually get good results for your business (a lot of it happens before you even start writing!)
- What NOT to do when you’re looking for an editor (and how to find a great one)
- Why trying to write and publish a book in 90 days or less is a recipe for disaster (and why no one tells you that!)
- How to avoid do-overs, sunk costs, and other self-publishing headaches (and how to get out of them if they sneak up on you)
Stay out of the crap pile!
Discover the secrets to creating a highly valuable book that will expand your influence and grow your business for years to come.
To read interviews and guest posts, please visit James M. Ranson’s page on iRead Book Tours.
Meet the Author:
James Ranson, The Master Wordsmith(TM), is a Wall-Street-Journal-bestselling editor, ghostwriter and book coach who has helped over 200 consultants, coaches, speakers and other thought leaders create high-quality books. Clients of his have gone on to sell thousands of books, receive book deals from publishing houses, and be featured in regional and national media outlets.
In addition to his own clients, James is a writer and book doctor for Thanet House Books, and is on recommended professional lists for Scribe Media(formerly Book in a Box), My Word Publishing, BrightFlame Books and Authors Unite. His second book, Don’t Write A Crappy Book!, will be published on October 1, 2018. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, James lives in Atlanta, GA, with his fiancée and a very needy cat.
Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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