There is nothing more satisfying for a writer than to see their manuscript turned into a book....
COVER STORY
There is nothing more satisfying for a writer than to see their manuscript turned into a book. The sight of their book placed on a bookshelf or made available in an online store is priceless. Young writers often inquire about the process of writing a book and getting it published in Pakistan. While they may acquire the expression and style to write articles and blogs, venturing into the book publishing process is a different ballgame altogether.
In this article, I will share some tips for aspiring authors to help them take their first step into the world of book publishing. Getting a book published involves several steps, and the process can vary depending on whether you’re pursuing traditional publishing or self-publishing. This article looks into the general strategies that can be pursued for both domains.
You need to have an idea before you take the first step. Ask yourself about the topics on which you can write a book. What subjects interest you, and what fields of study are you capable of commenting on through your opinion and experience? The idea becomes the foundation for your book. The idea of your book will eventually envelop the entire process from outlining to publishing.
Suppose you are interested in writing short stories. Your book could be an anthology of short stories, each ranging from 1,500 to 5,500 words. However, writing short stories on impulse may not lead you anywhere. You need to plan the type of stories you want to write. They may be a collection of realist fiction, science fiction, horror, mystery, adventure, and more.
Research is a writer’s best friend. Once you decide on the idea, you begin your research. This is not something you can complete in a day or in a couple of hours. You need to be thorough in research and should read multiple books on the same genre or those covering the topic that links to your idea. Read relevant material in newspapers, magazines, and books that complement your idea. Look into the books that are similar to the one you are working on to analyse the kind of content you should develop. Researching will give you the vision to build your book’s content from scratch. There is no said quantity of how much research should be done. You will always have room for research – it is a continuous, never-ending process. Note all the important points you come across to help you create an outline. The outline includes the topics that you will explain in the book, which will become the chapters or sections. You can rearrange these topics based on importance or in chronological order.
Once you have an outline, you will begin writing. Your focus will be to complete the first draft of your manuscript. The goal is to write one point of the outline at a time and repeat the process for all the points. For instance, if you are writing a book exploring the Pakistani authors who published their fiction books from 1947 to 1987, researching their works will give you ample information to prepare an outline. If there are fifty authors you are writing about, then the outline could include the author’s introduction and profile, literary works, summary, and social allegories discussed in their novels, the impact they made, and quotes or comments from readers or other literary figures to add value to your manuscript.
Moreover, whether you are writing a fiction or non-fiction book, your manuscript needs to be well-researched and coupled with credible information, the latest facts, accurate data, and your opinion that resonates with the essence of the book. A half-cooked manuscript sent to the publisher in haste is as good as not sending one at all. The manuscript must be edited to its core – from the first page to the last word.
Daily writing goal
Your book will not finish itself. You need to make it happen. Setting specific and realistic writing goals is a strategy to stay focused and motivated. Identify the word count of your book during the outlining process. If you want your book to comprise 70,000 words, you can have 10 chapters with 7,500 words, 15 chapters of 5,000 words, or twenty-five chapters with 3,000 words each. Create a strategy and a daily writing goal based on the target word count. This depends on the structure of your book. It may have fewer chapters, but each has multiple sub-chapters or sections. It may also have only five chapters without any sections. You will have a fair idea of the book’s structure once you have the detailed chapter outline.
Moreover, break down your writing goal into smaller, manageable parts. For example, if you write every day, aim for 700 words per day to reach your weekly target of 4,900 words. Be flexible in setting a daily writing goal, and don’t be too harsh if you do not reach the goal. If you are a student or working, prioritize your studies and office work. This calls for creating a writing time where you can focus on working on your manuscript. Be consistent but also be easy on yourself. Consider using writing sprints as a technique. Set a timer for a specific duration (half an hour, 45 minutes, one hour, etcetera) and focus solely on writing during that time. Keep a writing journal or use a writing app to track your daily word count. Once you reach your daily or weekly goal, reward yourself with something enjoyable.
Fiction: Writing a fiction book is a creative and rewarding process. Define your purpose and genre before developing your idea. Create an outline based on the plot. Your fiction book needs engaging characters with distinctive personalities, motivations, and conflicts for readers to connect with. Establish an immersive setting by considering the period, location, and atmosphere that suits your story. Writing a fiction novel includes a three-act structure. In Act 1, introduce the world, describe an inciting incident, and establish the goals the protagonist must pursue. Introduce key characters, including the protagonist and antagonist, along with their supporting characters. In Act 2, experience rising action, the main part of the story where the protagonist faces a series of challenges characterized by increasing tension and conflict. At the midpoint in Act 2, there is a revelation or a major setback that escalates the challenges for the protagonist. In Act 3, the story reaches its highest point of tension, often involving the protagonist making a critical choice or facing a conflict.
Non-fiction: Writing a non-fiction book involves a different set of considerations compared to fiction. Be clear about why you want to write this book and identify your target audience. Select a topic you are passionate about and one that has relevance and interest to your target audience. Conduct in-depth research, gathering information from reliable sources, interviews, and personal experiences. Develop a writing style that is both engaging and authoritative. Furthermore, your non-fiction book should offer practical advice, insights, or solutions that readers can apply.
When revising and editing your manuscript, focus on the three Cs: clarity, coherence, and consistency. During the editing process, assess the content structure. The introduction should set the tone, the body should include logical sections and chapters, and the conclusion should provide a satisfying end. Scrutinize each sentence to ensure clarity and coherence, avoiding complex structures and difficult vocabulary. Check for transitions and flow between paragraphs. It is imperative to maintain a consistent tone throughout your manuscript to align your writing style with the genre and the topic. Reading the manuscript multiple times will help you identify grammar and spelling mistakes, and fixing errors such as subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and typos.
Begin your search for a publisher once you have edited your manuscript. Identify publishers who have published books similar to the ones that fall under your topic or genre. Establish initial contact with them through email correspondence. Formally introduce yourself and present the summary of your book, explaining why you wrote it and the impact it will have on readers. Visit the publisher’s website to understand the materials needed when pitching the idea. This typically includes an author’s bio, a summary or synopsis of the book, the word count, and the first three chapters. Follow the rules as mentioned on the website and avoid annoying the publisher by sending multiple emails regarding your query.
In the case of traditional publishing, the publisher will cover the costs, and you will receive a royalty based on the agreement. If you are self-publishing, you need to bear the publishing costs. In some cases, the self-publishing platform allows the author to develop a book cover of their choice. You can have an agreement with the platform if you want them to design the cover, format the book, and edit the content. Additional charges apply for these services.
Whether you are pursuing a traditional publishing model or going for a self-publishing format, complete your manuscript first. It should be the best version you can present to the publisher. Write from your heart as a writer and edit it from your soul as a reader.
The writer is the author of Divided Species, a sci-fi story set in Karachi. He is also the author of 20 Steps to Writing Articles.
