This channel usually caters to new authors. First-time authors. That’s who finds my channel, and based on the comments and emails I get,t I’ve catered my answers to that audience. So if you already have three, five, or a dozen books under your belt, this video isn’t for you. You have experience and a process, and are likely to complete your books faster with each new one you write.

I recommend that people plan for at least a year. From “I’m starting to write” to “it’s on my hands” if you plan to self-publish. In many cases, it will take longer, depending on your free-time availability to write. Some of you will listen to gurus who say you can write a best-seller in 30 days and then the expectation is that your book is done, done, done in a month.

It is not.

Even if I, with 15 books written, went to a retreat for a month to write a book, it would not be done in a month. First draft, perhaps. Second or third draft, not likely. Certainly, no edits or feedback for revisions.
But let’s say you have a lot of the idea already. Or you’ve written a lot and you’re finding this video at your first roadblock of what do I do next, then you may be able to finish that first draft in a month.
Or maybe you already have a business and a podcast and a blog, and you’re repurposing your content into a non-fiction book, so a month for that cohesive draft. Sure

But once the book is written, you need to review it. At least twice, and you should take time. Let new ideas percolate for how to better solve plot issues.
And then when you share it with a critique partner, a beta reader, or a developmental editor, they’re going to need time to thoughtfully read and give you feedback. During that time, you should be doing bookwork. Work on your description. Contract with a cover designer. Start to build your audience so you’ll have readers for this book.

I think there is a lot of information out there that sets an unrealistic deadline on getting a first book done and out to market. If it needs a little more time to revise and get it right, take that time. Take that extra month or two. A year and a half to write and self-publish a book is still incredibly impressive and a lot of hard work.

What I don’t want you to do is go to the extreme other side of taking a decade or even half a decade to get the book done. Now, life happens. People move, switch jobs, etc., but that’s too long.
I know as the economy ebbs and flows, or people are laid off they think “this is my time to write my book” they are excited, they have the free time now, or the need for extra income, but self publishing books, quality books, is not a get rich quick option. There are creators on YouTube who can guide you through making low-content books or journals to sell. That’s a totally different strategy, and there are a lot of people in that market. If you have a dream in your heart to be an author, a story on your mind you need to get out, know this is a marathon and not a sprint. Plan for a year to 18 months.

And whatever you do, don’t launch your book on your birthday.

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Music from: Wondershare Filmora Sounds: “Something Cheer You Up”
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