How to write a book, that's one challenge.
How to make your book successful, that's another.
Lately I've been reading through a lot of books, some good, some less so.
And I've been looking at a lot of books that are absolute winners when it comes to the best-seller lists.
These are the books being held high by publishers, books stores owners and authors as winners for them.
What I wanted to do was take a look at these real winners and find out what they had that the other books didn't have.
And what I found out was more than a little surprising.
In fact, it might change the way you think about writing your book.
So, without further delay, here are some insights and what your book absolutely MUST have if it's going to succeed...
What I'd love to say is that the number one indicator of whether a book will be a success is the writing ability of the author.
That's for fiction.
For non-fiction, I'd love to say that the number one indicator of whether that kind of book will be successful is the originality of the information offered to the reader.
I'd love to say that.
I really would.
But that's just not what I found.
I found a lot of best-selling books that, well, either weren't that well written (especially the non-blockbusters) and a lot of the non-fiction books touted by loads of people to be, well, not that informative.
Sort of the same old stuff but told with a new song and dance, or with a sprinkling of new technology.
Ironically, I found a boatload of books (usually in the remainder bin) that really sparkled if they were telling a story-some were pure poetry.
Or they give real insight and innovative strategies to the world of how-to.
In short, if you think content or creative ability is what will rocket your book to the top of the charts, that's simply not the case.
Mind you, it doesn't hurt.
But it isn't the panacea that will turn your writing attempt into a literary retirement plan for both you and your family for generations to come.
Then, of course, we have the problem of one man's trash and another man's treasure.
What one person declares is outstanding writing is another person's basis for satire, sarcasm and sadness.
No matter how good you (or your publisher) think you are, not everyone is going to agree.
Luckily, no matter how bad you (or your prospective publisher) think you are, not everyone is going to agree with that, either.
Content and creative ability aren't the things that literary dreams are made of.
So what IS the answer? Well, for whatever reason, rightly or wrongly, great books rarely become great via obscurity or anonymity.
In short, if no one knows about your book, then no one is going to know about your book.
Rare indeed is the book that hides its light under a bushel and then subsequently ignites a world of rave reviews.
It just doesn't happen that way.
The more your book is promoted, the more notoriety, fame, publicity, recognition, buzz, call it what you will.
The more likely your book will be an outstanding seller.
That's not hyperbole, that's just fact.
And if you refuse to believe it, I can certainly understand your decision.
But the sooner you engage and embrace this reality, the sooner you'll have a big selling book.
Now, someone has got to do this work.
You're probably thinking the publisher will take care of this.
Well, they'll certainly give it their best shot, but they've got at least a dozen other worthy books that demand both their time and their resources.
No one is going to become your book's champion.
That's your job.
And if you're not up to it, no problem.
Just don't be upset when your book 'fails.
' You simply MUST do everything you possibly can to make as many people aware of your book as possible.
Not everyone will buy.
That's just the math of the situation.
But the more people who do know about your book, the more copies will move off the bookstore shelves.
You really must become a latter day P.
T.
Barnum when it comes to promoting your book.
And why shouldn't you! Your book is a fine book.
It tells a great story or gives wonderful information.
Of course, you may be too shy to promote your book aggressively.
You may see it as hucksterism, or demeaning.
Frankly, I didn't realize your book had so little value in your eyes.
I once knew a radio personality who, after writing a book, complained (on air) that he now had to go across the country "flogging it.
" (That was the exact phrase he used.
) Hey, if he has so little regard for his book, why should I pony up the money to get my own copy? So what's the one thing your book MUST have to succeed? YOU! You and all your enthusiasm, your expertise, your wit, your charm, your personality, your excitement, your belief in your book and your undying passion for what you have produced and your commitment that it will be of monumental benefit to me and every potential reader (and buyer) out there.
If you've got that, I swear you could produce a variation on the local telephone book and have the lines for author signings stretching out the door.
That might not be fair, and that might not be just, but in the world of book writing, it's the way things are.