Publishing a Book in Challenging Times

If you’ve written or are currently writing a book, whether on your own or by working with a ghostwriter or editor, take a moment to pat yourself on the back.

Why? Because we’re living in challenging times. From the proliferation of AI (as discussed last month on the blog) to the 24-hour news cycle, to the good, bad, and ugly of social media, most of us are on information overload. It’s easy to become distracted, concerned, and even discouraged. Given all that, anyone who has the discipline to put words on a page and complete a manuscript is doing something that few others have the stamina to do.

If that’s you (or if you’re considering writing a book), you likely know that writing is only part of the equation. While writing a book—again, on your own or with a ghostwriter/editor—generates much personal satisfaction, most authors are also eager to share their words with the reading public. But how do you do that when there’s so much else competing for your target audience’s attention?

Whether you’re approaching publication of your book or just thinking ahead toward a future publication date, here are some ideas to keep in mind during these challenging times:

• Know your audience. While your target audience might not be apparent when you begin writing the book, it’s advisable to think about the audience as you’re revising, or when you’re working with a ghostwriter or editor prior to publication. No book will appeal to every reader. Rather than consider your book of interest “to all,” it’s wise to identify the readers who will find your work meaningful. Consider creating an “ideal reader profile,” listing key characteristics of the people most likely to read your book. This might include reader demographics, interests, preferred genre(s), reading style, and so on.
• Be genuine. Readers are eager to connect with authors who are authentically themselves. This applies whenever and wherever you communicate with readers: social media, podcasts, in-person events, your newsletter, your website, and all other areas of communication. Focus not just on your book but on your whole self. What makes you unique? What will draw readers to you and your book? Readers are much more likely to pick up a book by an author unknown to them if they not only find the book’s premise and style intriguing, but also see the author as someone they can connect with and trust.
• Use consistent, truthful messaging. Especially in these times when so much of what we see online and through media messaging is unclear, unreliable, and sometimes false, it’s important to be clear and consistent in your messaging to readers. When speaking or writing about your book and yourself, use language that’s both thought-provoking and comprehensible. Make sure your audience understands your message, and your message remains uniform across platforms and mediums. If you mistakenly say something untruthful, or you later learn that something you said previously is untrue, own your mistake, apologize, and make amends if you can. People respond more positively to humbleness and accountability than they do to arrogance. It’s human nature to be more forgiving of a sincere mistake, humbly acknowledged and corrected, than of someone whose words and actions are conceited or unreliable.
• Practice gratitude. As stated above, not every reader will love your book or want to read it. But each reader who finds meaning in your words is a gift, and their support of your work should be acknowledged and appreciated. Gratitude for readers will lift your spirits, making you eager to connect with additional readers—and, in many cases, continue your author career by writing a subsequent book.If you’re working your way through a book draft and need help, or if you have a great idea for a book but don’t know where to begin, please get in touch. We’d love to discuss your project and see how our team of professional ghostwriters, editors, and book production experts can help you start or finish a book that you can proudly and authentically share with readers, uplifting both yourself and your newfound audience.