If I Only Knew: First-Time Bestselling Authors Reveal Insider Secrets to Writing a Book

By Laura L Bush and Sarah J Bush Lloyd

If I Only Knew: First-Time Bestselling Authors Reveal Insider Secrets to Writing a Book recognizes that new authors share some (or all) of the same legitimate fears, questions, and concerns:

• I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I don't know where to start.
• I’m worried that I stink at gramm

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peacock Proud, LLC
• Release date: Aug 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9780999367575

Book preview

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If I Only Knew

First-Time Bestselling Authors

Reveal Insider Secrets to

Writing a Book

Phoenix, Arizona

Laura Bush, PhD

and Sarah Bush Lloyd

If I Only Knew: First-Time Bestselling Authors Reveal Insider Secrets to Writing a Book

Copyright © 2018 by Laura Bush, PhD, and Sarah Bush Lloyd

First Published in the USA in 2018 by Peacock Proud Press, Phoenix, Arizona

First Edition

ISBN 978-0-9993675-6-8 paperback

ISBN 978-0-9993675-7-5 eBook

Lbrary of Congress Control Number: 2018956846

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Editor:

Laura Bush, PhD, PeacockProud.com

Interior Layout:

Melinda Tipton Martin, MartinPublishingServices.com

Cover Design:

FuturePhotoGroup.com

DISCLAIMER:

This is a work of nonfiction. The information is of a general nature to help readers know and understand more about writing and publishing a book. Readers of this publication agree that Laura Bush, PhD, Sarah Bush Lloyd, and any authors included and named in this book will not be held responsible or liable for damages that may be alleged or resulting directly or indirectly from their use of this publication. All external links are provided as a resource only and are not guaranteed to remain active for any length of time. The authors cannot be held accountable for the information provided by, or actions resulting from accessing these resources.

Contents

Introduction

Becoming A First-Time Author / 5

Part I

Insider Secrets from First-Time Authors / 7

Chapter 1

Aaron Anderson / 8

American Kundalini

Chapter 2

Meina J. Dubetz / 13

When Death Comes Knocking for Your Patients

Chapter 3

Rhonda Willford Eberst / 19

I Survived Pompeii

Chapter 4

Jane M Powers / 23

Speak with Confidence. Sell with Authority

Chapter 5

Lindsey Schwartz / 27

Powerhouse Woman

Part II: BONUS

Information and Guidance from Experts / 31

Chapter 6

Three Big Barriers to Writing a Bestselling Book / 32

Chapter 7

Debunking the Myth of the Lone Writer / 35

Chapter 8

Writing an Autobiography that Leaves a Lasting Legacy / 38

Chapter 9

Choosing the Best Transcription Services / 41

Chapter 10

Three Ways to Find Time to Write / 43

Chapter 11

Is Your Editor a Friend or Foe? / 44

Chapter 12

Why You, Too, Are Good Enough to Write Your Book / 46

Chapter 13

Financing Your Writing / 48

Chapter 14

Are You Ready to Audiobook? / 50

Chapter 15

Avoid Costly Mistakes:

Know Your Publishing Options / 54

Conclusion

You Can Write and Publish Your Book, Too! / 57

Introduction:

Becoming a First-Time Author

If I Only Knew: First-Time Bestselling Authors Reveal Insider Secrets to Writing a Book recognizes that authors who are new to writing a book share some (or all) of the following legitimate questions, fears, and concerns:

I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I don’t know where to start.

I’m worried that I stink at grammar and that I don’t know how to write well enough to become the author of a book.

I’m afraid people won’t read my book, or, if they do read it, they’ll be critical of my ideas.

I stop myself from writing because I don’t know how I’ll publish my book, even if I do finish writing it.

Do you recognize yourself in any of these statements? If you answered, Yes, then the insider secrets and advice you’ll get from these first-time authors will quiet your fears, answer many of your questions, and show you how you, too, can courageously move forward to experience benefits you can’t foresee, even beyond the immediate thrill of publishing your book.

At Peacock Proud Press, we started interviewing our first-time authors about what they wish they had known before they wrote their first book for two reasons. First, we believed that finding out what other first-time authors wish they had known before they started writing could help inform and jumpstart other would-be authors on their own book writing journey. Second, we wanted to learn from what our authors told us to help improve our own writing, editing, and publishing services for future clients. (Based on our interviews, for example, we have begun developing a detailed overview and timeline for authors that previews our assisted self-publishing process.)

Part I: Insider Secrets from First-Time Authors

In Part I of this book, the unique perspective and insider secrets first-time authors share about writing their book—the trials and the triumphs—will show you that it IS possible to finish YOUR book and that the outcomes from publishing a book can be bigger than you even imagine. But fair warning: one thing these authors all have in common is that