• 4 Mistakes I See Nonfiction Authors Make (and How to Fix Them)

  • Nov 22 2024
  • Length: 8 mins
  • Podcast

4 Mistakes I See Nonfiction Authors Make (and How to Fix Them)

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  • Summary

  • A few years ago, a client came to me with an idea for a nonfiction book. She was ready to write a draft and send it to a publishing house. What she didn’t realize was that she was working a few steps ahead. Thankfully, we met early enough in the process that I was able to fill her in on the steps she’d need to take to pursue traditional publishing—allowing her to sidestep a lot of mistakes that would have slowed her down. Even though she didn't need to write the entire manuscript before taking her next steps, her instinct to do so was to be commended. After all, how is she supposed to know about the ins and outs of publishing without any prior experience? Is it possible you’re also making one (or more) of the biggest mistakes nonfiction writers make—simply because you don’t know what you don’t know? Let's explore—and learn how to avoid—the common mistakes writers make as they develop and complete their first nonfiction book. Mistake #1: Writing Without a Plan A common mistake I see nonfiction authors make is writing without a plan—they attempt to begin writing their book without a clear roadmap or structure. Often, within the first chapter or so, they realize the magnitude of the project ahead and overwhelm settles in—derailing their initial excitement. Without a defined plan or structure in place, ideas tend to sprawl and lack cohesion. The missing element? A book proposal—a necessary business document used in traditional publishing. For you and me, it serves as a plan to make your nonfiction book a reality. In a book proposal, writers define a clear thesis statement and outline the central argument that will be supported throughout the book. Writers outline the book chapter by chapter, creating a framework that ensures they’re crafting a message they want to share with their ideal reader. A book proposal also includes key elements that force you to think through details, such as the book’s purpose, its special features, and its ideal reader, which add to the plan and guide your research and writing. Writing without a plan is the first big mistake…and creating a plan is how to solve it. Mistake #2: Writing Before Deciding on a Publishing Path Another mistake writers make is writing before determining the publishing path they want to take. Before developing your manuscript, be sure to pause and consider if you plan to pursue traditional publishing or plan to self-publish. If you know you want to go the traditional path, then you need a book proposal, and that proposal will include sample chapters—typically about three for a first-time author. These chapters will serve as prototypes, guiding the direction and flow of content for the entire book. While not all of the subsequent chapters need to mirror the initial ones you turn in with your book proposal, they still set the foundation for the rest of the manuscript. If self-publishing is your goal, then you will need to fully complete the manuscript. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider creating a book proposal. Self-published authors often find it useful to work through parts of the book proposal, such as categories your book will fall into, which you’ll need for the back cover and in your Amazon or online listing. For memoir, specifically, you’ll also need a completed manuscript and a complete book proposal to submit to publishers with your own unique storyline and viewpoint. So, what publishing path do you hope to pursue? Be sure to consider the right path for your book before diving too deep into the process of writing. Mistake #3: Overthinking the Book & Not Writing Anything Overthinking a book to the point of paralysis is another common problem I see with writers. Some fear that they're not going to be able to fit everything they want to say in their book. Other writers fear that their work has already been said by somebody else and there's no reason to write their book.
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