How to Publish a Nonfiction Book Successfully

This post is part of the Write Nonfiction in November Challenge (WINFIN), also known as National Nonfiction Writing Month (NaNonFiWriMo). To find out more or participate, click here.

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I’m a big advocate of exploring all your publishing options before you decide to become a traditionally published author or a self-published author. You don’t want to choose a path without all the information and then regret your decision. It could make or break your career as an author.

Aspiring authors choose self-publishing for a variety of reasons. For instance:

• It’s faster.
• You retain control.
• You make more money (if you sell copies).

If you are a newbie to the publishing world, you may not realize that by becoming a self-published author, you also become a publisher. That means you take on a whole new set of tasks, those performed by the personnel of publishing companies. In fact, you now run a publishing company.

You may choose traditional publishing because:

• Your books get sold in bookstores.
• A publisher handles the production and distribution of your book.
• You gain credibility.

But to land such a deal, you need more than a great idea and writing craft. You need business savvy. And you still need to get involved in tasks you may not like, such as promotion.

Here’s the point: Learn everything you can about the different options available to authors. Then choose one…or more…that best help you achieve your career goals and reach your readers. Also, choose a path that suits your personality and strengths. Plus, learn the skills you need to succeed on whichever path you choose.

To help you make the decision, today you can learn about both publishing paths from two experts—one from the indie side and one from the traditional side of the industry. Both tell you what it takes to travel and who is cut out for that path, and each offers specific tips to help you succeed once you’ve made your choice.

Phil Sexton, the publisher of Writer’s Digest, will help you understand what it takes to publish with a traditional publisher successfully. Over more than 25 years in the book business, he has served in numerous capacities, including vice president of sales for F+W Media, sales director of Adams Media, director of merchandising for United Magazine Company and Independent Bookseller. He is the author of A Picture is Worth 1000 Words, Legends of Literature, The Writer’s Lab, The Writer’s Adventure, and co-author of The Writer’s Book of Matches.

Brian Jud, is an author, book-marketing consultant, speaker, seminar leader, television host and president of Premium Book Company that sells books to non-bookstore buyers on a non-returnable, commission basis. Brian is also the Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales (formerly SPAN).

Brian is the author of How to Make Real Money Selling Books (Without Worrying About Returns). This is the ultimate do-it-yourself guide to selling your books to non-bookstore buyers in large quantities, with no returns. He also wrote Beyond the Bookstore (a Publishers Weekly® book), a primer on non-bookstore marketing. Brian has also written and published five titles on career transition that are distributed internationally. He is the author of the eight e-booklets with Proven Tips for Publishing Success and was the host of the television show, The Book Authority that aired for 13 years.

How to Publish Traditionally

How to Successfully Self-Publish

WNFIN 2015 Resources

	A Picture is Worth 1000 Words
	Legends of Literature
	The Writer’s Lab
	The Writer’s Adventure
	The Writer’s Book of Matches.
	How to Make Real Money Selling Books (Without Worrying About Returns)
	Beyond the Bookstore (a Publishers Weekly® book)
	How to Craft a Book that Will Sell (and Launch Your Writing Career)

Hyperlinks to books and resources may contain my affiliate code.