Now that the Jacob Wonderbar series is wrapped up, I’m very pleased to let you know what I’m doing next: A guide to writing a novel, which I’m planning to self-publish!
I’m incredibly excited to learn more about the self-publishing world, a wondrous land that I currently understand more in theory than in practice. It’s going to be an exciting experiment, and one I can’t wait to learn from.
And I hope to include you all every step of the way. The reason I’m announcing this now is that I’m planning to open things up and blog about every step of the process, from finding people to edit and copyedit it, to designing the cover, to getting it up for sale, to setting the price, to all the stuff I don’t even know about right now but I’m sure will encounter along the way. Are there self-publishing goblins? If you self-publish in the Amazon does it make a sound?
I will soon find out. And then, by the time it’s all finished and out there we’ll have a virtual guide to self-publishing a book too.
The guide is about 90% written, and is a mix of material drawn from the blog but rewritten and polished with a fine glossy shine plus original material. You may have noticed that I have been light on the writing advice on the blog lately, and that is because I have been channeling my energy into the guide.
Also: I need your help! If there’s anything I’ve learned in the course of writing this blog it’s that the commenters are far smarter and experienced than I am, and I’m really looking forward to drawing upon your expertise as I figure out how in the heck one self-publishes a book.
First up in this collaborative experience: Are there any novel-writing topics you would like me to tackle in the guide? If I incorporate your ideas into the guide I will be sure and give you a shout out in the acknowledgements.
Here we go!
Art: Stepan Razin by Boris Kustodiyev {{PD-1923}}
Linda Herren says
This is awesome!!! I'm a Full Sail University student going for a BA in Creative Writing for Entertainment. I've been wanting to start a novel and this is exactly the guidance I need! I will be following you every step of the way!!
Thanks!
Alaniya says
brilliant 🙂 good luck with your projects.
Fadzlishah Johanabas says
Dude, your blog posts itself are gems. Can't wait to buy a copy!
Matthew MacNish says
I'm sure it will sell well.
If you have any questions about self-publishing, take them to Susan Quinn, who I'm sure you know. She's the most knowledgeable SPer I know.
Judi Bailey says
Wow…I'd love to be part of this journey. I'd like you to cover deep point of view in your book.
Nathan Bransford says
Thanks, guys! And yeah, Judi, definitely planning to tackle POV. Still refining that chapter.
Beth Allen says
I will follow your project. Good luck!
Judith Rivard says
I really need help in writing description. I could write a novel with just dialogue pushing the story along but I think description is a really important aspect in writing a novel, isn't it?
Lauren says
I'd love advice on character development. I've always had difficulty fleshing out my protagonists.
Natalie Aguirre says
Awesome, Nathan. I hope you have a chapter on voice since that is so hard to get right. And it'd be awesome if you'd focus on middle grade voice, which editors have said is hard to get right.
I agree with Matt that you should check out Susan Quinn's blog. She's doing a series on the business aspects of self-publishing now. Here's a link to yesterday's post:
https://www.susankayequinn.com/2013/03/indie-business-talk-hiring-your-team.html
Curtis Edmonds says
If you're going to be writing about self-publishing, you might want to say a word or two about getting permission to use music – I wrote about that recently:
https://www.curtisedmonds.com/sometimes-its-not-better-to-ask-permission/
Gina Kiyuna says
Yay! If your blog is any indication of what will come in the guide, I think we are all in for a treat! Your blog has been vital to my efforts in becoming a writer. Thank you, and best wishes on your project.
Ruthy says
Yes! Best news I've heard all day. I'd love to know what you have to say about repetition of ideas within a story. Sometimes when I pick up a book I had already started I am glad for a reminder here and there. Other times I'm like, "Alright already. I get it. She misses her father!"
I don't want to beat a reader over the head, but when a point is important I want to make sure it isn't missed.
Gina Kiyuna says
Also…are you going to include tips on writing dialogue? I stink at writing dialogue. It stagnates my story and becomes the waste land of info dumping.
Chelle Marie says
I'd be happy to help with any self-pub research. I finished my grad thesis this past December on self-publishing innovation in the digital age and its impact on traditional publishers. It's quite an interesting area to explore! And fast changing…
Rick Daley says
Good luck!
Perhaps a seciton on research, and incorporating fact into fiction (or when NOT to) would be useful.
Robena Grant says
Fabulous! I'll be first in line to buy this book. ; )
inklings Anon says
topics to tackle. I'd love to see examples of really excellent query letters. I know there are some out there but if you're going to do this, you ought to include some. I think with that you could do a critique on a couple of them but then add some additional in the glossary. I would like to see some stuff on first chapter character development. Or just character development in general.
inklings Anon says
Oh yeah and I'll definitely buy the book. Your blog is my google for writing. There's no sense on googling anything about writing because it all points back to your blog anyway. To have a hard copy of those kinds of resources to underline and highlight and read and refer back to will be fantastic. I'll have my three testaments, Sol Stein on Writing, Nancy Kress's Dynamic Characters, and Nathan Bransford's guide to writing a novel. fantastic project man. this will be in classrooms everywhere and I'll promote it like I do Kress and Stein
Jillian says
Sounds awesome! I'd love to read your advice on writing a good chapter one from a writers perspective and a (former) agent's perspective. I'm pretty sure you've blogged about it, but I'm always looking for articles that go into depth about chapter one. Good luck!
Lauren Blakely says
Good luck! My son loved Jacob Wonderbar! As for novel writing topics, I think writers might benefit from guidance on how to show, rather than tell!
Maya Prasad says
Cool project, Nathan. I'm looking forward to see how it progresses! Good luck!
Jodi says
I'd like to see something about choosing content, such as your thoughts on the overused advice, "write what you know." Personally, I just jumped head first into the deep end without my floaties. The novel I'm working on is a hot mess of taboos, that made me quite nervous until I read about other authors who write about stuff they know nothing about, and it turns out great.
Along those same lines, I would like to learn how to have confidence in my own writing. I know I'm good, but I don't always feel I'm good. It's a strange conflict that can become paralyzing at times, when you find yourself saying, "Why bother writing, it's all rubbish anyway."
Love your blog. Long time reader, first time commenter.
Richard Pieters says
Brilliant. I'd love to have your take on the planner/pantser spectrum–how to build an outline and how much detail should go into it. I need to know a starting point, the players (most of them, anyway), and the end. Between is often a forest with many trees and trails, and it's easy to get lost. But outlining in detail is a formidable task and can put off actually writing. Where do you fall and what's your advice? Look forward to reading this book and following your process as you share your learning curve on SP.
Nathan Bransford says
Wow awesome, thanks everyone! So far it sounds like I'm on the right track – a lot of this is in there.
K.E. Skedgell says
Very interesting, Nathan. Looking forward to the updates on this new journey of yours. Good luck.
Sara says
Sounds like a book that will need a good index. Too many self-published books skip that, but they add a lot of value. Says the book indexer (and ex-librarian).
DianeBransford says
Once again, Nathan, you move fiorward with amazing insight, knowledge, skill and bravery. The art today is fitting as well. We will be with you as you set sail and throughout the voyage!
Sara says
Very exciting and the topic and self-pub make a lot of sense.
In terms of content ideas, I'd throw out there:
-How to take a vague idea or theme and weave it in/make it a book
-How to get unstuck creatively
-How to find the best editor for your needs/budget
-How to find a critique partner
-How best to work with a critique partner
-How to know when it's "done."
…I could go on… 🙂
Kourtnie McKenzie says
I'd like if you included a chapter on incorporating humor and/or voice. I always feel like "how to write" books do a dodge maneuver around these topics. The "you just write and find your voice" suggestion isn't bad necessarily, but half the reason I read these sorts of books is to find out the author's personal methods of success. I anticipate each writing strategy to sound wildly different and refreshing. And that includes reading about his or her journey in finding voice!
M. J. Joachim says
Sounds interesting. Looking forward to reading your posts on this subject.
Lisa Grace says
I wouldn't give advice yet on self publishing, but stick to technique, or you're going to get blasted for any misinformation by the dozens of self publishers making over six figures a year who know what they are doing.
A good place to start is visit kindleboards.com which changes its name on the 8th to kboards.com
Hugh Howey, Bella Andre, Bob Mayer, and all the tops visit the Writers' Cafe at Kboards.
Also pick up a copy of Jason Matthews ebook "How To Make, Market, And Sell Ebooks All For Free."
I've managed to get two of my books optioned for a movie (which is currently in development through Motion Picture Pro Studios)and have over 55K ebooks out under my brand, Lisa Grace, which isn't bad (but nowhere near as much as some of my friends who do that in a month) for just self publishing a year & nine months.
I just picked up an agent (through the movie producer) who is working on a paperback deal to work with the release of the movie.
I believe more agents/publishers will be signing successful self publishers because they've proven they can build a reader base.
Francesca Kaplan says
Thrilled and excited. Awesome.
Francesca Kaplan says
Thrilled. So awesome. Can't wait.
Bryan Russell says
HUZZAH.
I knew it had to happen at some point.
Susie Lindau says
I just checked your blog yesterday to see if you had any of this kind of advice. I must be psychic!
I am finishing up rewrites on my novel and am facing sending it out to be critiqued before going to an editor. Outside of family, I am having a hard time deciding who to send it to. I will be interested in how you go about this process. It will be fun to go through it with you!
Joya says
I'm looking forward to reading about your process. I'm actually reading Guy Kawasaki's book right now about self-publishing. It's called APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur and has a lot of good information that might be helpful to you.
Anonymous says
I'm sure you'll do fine. There are a ton of great cover artists out there and many are very reasonable. Same with editing.
In June, I'll mark my three year anniversary of self-publishing and it's been quite a ride. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Okay, well maybe I would for a big six figure deal–but only if the terms were right. 😉
I think you'll find you get a certain satisfaction from learning the process from this side. Also–you are going to love the way you can check sales–just hope you don't start to check too obsessively. It's a common indie affliction. I suffer from it myself. 😀
Serenity says
This is fabulous, Nathan. I can't wait to purchase and support the heck out of this project. It's probably way too basic, but conflict is what I struggle with the most. I'm sure it comes easy to most storytellers. But for me, I get so focused on theme and internal conflict. When people say, "You need to put your characters in the worst situation you can imagine for them," I totally flinch. And so far creating conflict feels like I'm forcing something instead of finding my characters' authentic story. I need some good, sound advice on what exactly it means for a story to have conflict. What qualifies as external conflict? Do things have to go all wrong before they get better? 🙂
On another note, I self-pubbed last year through Book Baby. I had the cover done by a local design/pub company, and I learned a few little things. I doubt I know anything you don't, but @me if there is a Q I could answer. You're going to love self-publishing, I think. You were born for it.
Christine Monson says
Nathan, Can you tackle outlining vs freestyle writing? I've done both and find pro and cons for each of them. Your thoughts?
Also, have you participated in National Novel writing Month (NaNoWriMo) or CampWriMo? Do you believe it is a waste of time of does it really help? Can it help when querying agents? Should you mention it?
Kate Sheeran says
Wow, this is great news! I'll snap it up as soon as it comes out 🙂
David Kazzie says
I think a section on how to weave in backstory would be very useful. Also somewhat related, flashbacks.
Last, the simple mechanics of a novel — how many scenes in a novel, where to put the big plot twists. A blueprint for keeping everything organized.
Suzie F. says
This is fantastic! I've referred to your blog numerous times for advice on writing and publishing.
Topics I'd love to read about:
– writing through the middle when the honeymoon of brand-new-shiny-idea is over
– tips on hooking a reader in the first paragraph
– developing the setting in a novel; setting as character
Can't wait to read your book and about your self-publishing journey.
Mary says
This is really cool. Can't wait to read this book, even though it's not quite done yet. I can already see myself recommending it to aspiring authors. 😀
When I first decided that I wanted to get published, one of the hardest things for me to learn on my own was the benefits of the writing community. There's a big emphasis on beta readers and writing/critique groups, and how important it is to let others look over your work with "fresh eyes" before sending it anywhere. I'd love to see something about the professional (and personal!) benefits of connecting with other writers.
Calliopenjo says
Dialogue and opening lines I think should be topics to be covered. What is dialogue? How to make it work? Accepted tags? That sort of thing.
Opening lines or that hook that snags the agent or editor. Maybe from a former agent's perspective would give more insight as to what that means.
I won't even mention show don't tell or show vs. tell.
Ted Cross says
Not sure if it fits with what you are looking for, but there are a couple of things that have held me up from self-publishing because I can't find answers. I would like to have the reader be able to pop up a map (Hey, it's epic fantasy!) at any point in their reading without having to leave their place in the book. There must be some way to have a button or link or a new 'tab' or something in a Kindle that would allow a reader to view a map while remaining on the page they are currently reading. If there is no such thing as tabs on a Kindle page, there should be! Readers might want to pop open things like artwork and such without having to depart their current page.
Ted A. says
I'd love to hear you talk about dialog. I consistently get feedback that my characters dialog is wooden. I'd love to hear your ideas on how to make it better.
Marilyn Peake says
Best of luck to you! I've been self-published on Amazon for some time now. I sell books on a regular basis even when I don't have time to do any PR whatsoever and have found the experience very rewarding! InFree
Marilyn Peake says
LOL, Blogger just included my "prove you're not a robot" word at the end of my comment. InFree wasn't supposed to be part of my comment. HaHa.
Anonymous says
Best of luck to you, Nathan. I self-published my first book almost 3 years ago and it's been a great ride. I am really glad I went ahead and did it and got off the query merry go round.
There are some great reasonably priced cover artists out there, and also some editors. I'm sure you probably have plenty of contacts as well.
Suggestion–incorporate some of this orange color into your cover. I see that color and think of your blog and if I do, I bet other people who frequent or used to frequent it over the years will make a connection as well.