Factors to Consider Before Writing a Non-fiction Book

You have an idea for a book, and you're anxious to turn your idea into a full-length manuscript, and find the means of seeing it published. But, wait!

You don't want to lose most of your time and money because you hurried off to see the completion of your book.

It'll serve you well to take some time to consider the following factors before you start the process of writing a book.

1. Why Are You Writing the Book?

In other words, what do you hope to achieve from writing the book? What is your purpose of wanting to write the book? What do you hope to accomplish through your book? If the purpose for writing a book is misaligned, then you'll be doing your book a lot of injustice. You'll render it useless before the eyes of the readers.

While money and fame are some of the motivating factors that push many people to work on a book, in themselves they're not the real purpose of a book. In essence, they're the fruits of the labour you've put in seeing the completion and publication of your book.

Reading the first few pages of a book can tell a reader whether it's worth reading the rest of it. Will the reader have wasted their money and time by reading your book? Will the book benefit them one way or another?

Reorganize your priorities for writing a book you've in mind. When you do so, you'll be on your way in reaching the hearts of many people with the words contained therein. Don't look at money as the main motivating factor but as a reward for your work.

2. Who Is Your Audience?

Which readers are you targeting your book at? Is your book aimed at the elderly, single parents, youth, or women?

Without knowing your audience, your tone, and style of writing, won't appeal to some readers who have bought your book. For instance, the tone and style used in teen's books is different from adult's books.

Another importance of researching your target audience is to ascertain which language you'll use, how much they know about the subject of your book, and to which extent you'll include terminological words.

It doesn't mean other people outside the target group won't be interested in your book. They might buy your book. However, knowing your audience is important so you can write content that suits them, is related to them, and which they can relate to.

3. The Cover Design of Your Book

It's not a secret that other than the title of the book, and the blurb, the next thing that will influence a reader to purchase a book is the cover design of the book. This is particularly the case with novels.

A poorly made design will result in the low sale of the book. Human's eyes are usually attracted to beautiful things. You can't blame humans for that.

If you're not a graphic designer, you should seek the service of a professional designer. This applies to those who want to self-publish their books. If you can't afford to hire a graphic designer, there are plenty of online articles and videos which guide a person on how to make one. With some patience, and a mind to learn, you can design your own cover pages.

4. The Scary Blurb, What About It?

The blurb, a short description of a book that's normally situated at the back cover of a book, is meant to promote your book. When in a bookstore, the first thing you'll do to determine whether you should buy a book is to:

- Read the title of the book.
- Look at the cover design of the book.
- Read the short description of the book at the back cover.

A blurb acts as a final determining factor in convincing an individual to buy a book. It can entice readers to buy your book or fail to convince them to purchase it.

It isn't a small feat writing a blurb. In fact, it is more difficult writing it than the book itself as stated by Reedsy: "Creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to science than an art."

It's an important element you need to consider before you start working on your book. You can decide to work on the blurb before or after you've completed working on your book. The blurbs are shorter in length, usually between 150-200 words.

Traditional publishers might jump in and write blurbs for writers who have sought their service. For the self-published writers, you're on your own. If you're defeated on how to write it, you can seek a professional writer or editor for a small fee.


5. The Length of Your Book

Length matters a lot when it comes to publishing a book. You'll be required to provide an estimate word count or length of your manuscript when submitting it to a traditional publisher. Depending on a publisher, and the subject of your book, they might prefer a certain maximum number of words. Thus, publishers might decline your manuscript if it exceeds or hasn't attained their preferred word count - depending on the subject of the book, or their preference for lengthier/shorter books.

If you're interested in going the self-publishing way, you're at liberty in writing a lengthier book or a shorter one. Even so, you'll pay a lot when seeking editor services, and in production of your book.

Another thing to consider is whether readers will be satisfied in reading a lengthier book, or will feel cheated in a reading a book that has less pages (and thereby constricted content). This is why it's important to have a target audience in mind. For instance, teens prefer shorter content than senior people.


6. Have You Researched Your Subject Matter?

Have you carried out research in relation to the subject of your book? Or, are you only relying on your own experience or what you know?

Studying your subject matter will assist you in gleaning new information you might have been unaware of. Every passing day comes with new information. You can't always rely on old information or your own experience.

Before you begin penning your book, you should have plenty of material to work on. Additionally, citing experts' take on the subject of your book will be an added advantage to your book.

Remember, even experts have to rely on other experts' take - studies - because none of us know everything even if we're experts in our own fields.

7. Which Publishing Type Should You Choose?

Back were the days when the celebrities, the famed writers and specialists were highly considered for publication of their books. Those days are gone. With the advent of Internet, self-publishing has become a reality to many people wanting to publish a book.

It's worth noting that some traditional publishers are accepting submission from novice, or unknown writers.

You should do plenty of research on both types of publishing avenues to determine which one will serve you better. This entails weighing their merits and demerits and siding them against each other.


8. Do You Need a Literary Agent?

Literary agents act as go-between an author and publisher. They're well-versed with the publishing market thus acting as invaluable 'tool' in seeing your work accepted by a publisher. This is in contrast to authors who have sent a query letter or book proposal alongside their manuscript in anticipation their work will be accepted.

In reference to literary agents, Writer Victoria Inc. notes, "Literary agents are responsible for managing sales, contracts, publication, production (and reproduction), as well as maintaining good contacts in the writing and publishing industry, and knowledge of the current market and trends."

Don't be discouraged when an agent rejects your book for the reasons they'll give. It's part of a writer's life. When one refuses to consider your book, move to another one.

And remember, a literary agent should never charge you to find a publisher for your book. "In return for working for a writer, the writer receives a percentage (usually around 10-15 percent) of the writer's income from advances, fees and royalties," states Writer Victoria Inc.

9. Build Your Online Brand

There are several ways you can market your book. One of the ways is creating your brand as a published author, or expert in a certain field. This entails setting up a personal blog. In it you'll include details about yourself, publish some posts related to your knowledge and/or expertise, and you can sell your books through your blog.

Others ways of marketing your authorship or expertise include writing a guest post (even if you won't be paid), writing for online sites that accepts unsolicited (uncalled) manuscripts, writing for newspapers and magazines, creating a Facebook page, joining writing groups and professional online sites e.g. LinkedIn.


10. Have you Considered Editing Services?

Whether you want to publish your book the traditional way or digitally, you've to consider whether your book needs a new set of professional eyes.

Seeking the services of an editor isn't cheap. You've to part with a sizeable amount. Again, there are different editing services. Editors can offer all the editing services, a few of them, or only one of them. Depending on your budget, you might seek some editing services or a single editing service e.g. proofreading. You might involve several editors on your book.

A traditional publisher will likely reject your book if it contains many grammatical and other editing errors. If you're self-publishing, the readers will have a 'negative' attitude towards your book if it's not professionally-presentable. They won't like it that your book contains many grammatical mistakes.

11. Exercise Patience

Writing isn't for the faint-hearted. You won't become a successful author overnight. It might take weeks, months or years to realize the fruits of your labour. Unless you're successful or are a famed author, you'll have to practice patience.

With so many books to choose from, how will your readers find your book? When will your book top up others to become widely recognizable among people?

It takes time to enjoy the fruits of your labour, and it requires you to do your part of marketing your book even if your book is published by a traditional publisher.