I picked up running the summer between my first and second years in college. It was a great goal to start something new, shed the freshman 15, and it was cheaper than any other hobby. All I thought I needed was a good pair of running shoes, and I could head outside and try my best.
If you are a runner, you know running quickly becomes addicting. So, by the end of the summer, I was running four to seven miles a day. I also realized that besides running shoes, I needed: good socks and apparel to wick away moisture, insoles for my shoes for extra support and cushioning, a strap-on water bottle to stay hydrated, a device to listen to music and headphones, and money for running race entries. It was no longer a cheap hobby.
I see the same things happening to aspiring authors. Many people have a goal of writing a book, but once they get started and do a little research, they soon realize the steps to getting the book ready for publishing quickly become overwhelming. I often talk with authors about their dream to write a book primarily because of the following reasons:
- To leave a family legacy, such as an immigration story, war story or coming of age
- Personal accomplishment/ to say you have written one
- Additional income
- You want to help others with some knowledge or insight, such as self-help or religion
- It’s a form of therapy, and you enjoy writing long-form
- To accomplish the goal of writing a book
The Unknown
Any goal requires work and dedication. But sometimes, the unknown can throw everything off.
Writing a book is a great way to express yourself and tell your story, but it can also be daunting. Many authors find themselves stuck in the middle of the process, overwhelmed by the required work and not knowing how to proceed. This is why many authors quit writing their books before they finish.
Why do most authors quit?
There are many reasons why authors quit writing their books. Some may feel they lack the necessary skills or knowledge to write a good book, while others may think that their ideas are not worth expressing or that no one will read them anyway. Additionally, some authors may struggle with writer’s block or feel like they don’t have enough time to finish their work. All these factors can lead an author to abandon their project and give up on writing their book altogether.
In addition, writing a book doesn’t just require writing. There are many steps to take an idea in your head through to publication, including book coaches, outlines, book mapping, revisions, line editing, proofreading, formatting, cover design, beta reads, publishing decisions, registration and ISBN and marketing.
Whew!
What does book writing require?
I usually can tell when someone finds out about all the steps required to finish a book, like the overwhelming feelings of anxiety and desire to give up. I mainly see the dismay when they learn their dream of writing a book will require a lot more out-of-pocket expenses besides word processing software, time and a computer.
Getting a book from your head to its final form can cost between $500-$6,000, depending on what you need and the book’s quality. Here are two good articles that break down the costs:
- “Cost to Publish” by Kindlepreneur
2. “Cost to Self Publish a Book” by the Reedsy blog: https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/cost-to-self-publish-a-book/
How can I help you?
This is when I come in. After starting my editing business, I quickly realized that most people don’t know all the steps and costs associated with creating a finished and polished book. And frankly, the disappointment, overwhelming feelings and anxiety I was getting from aspiring authors are not what I want anyone to experience.
That’s why I’ve decided to switch my primary author services to packages that meet authors where they are at. I am still keeping my traditional services: line editing, proofreading, beta reading and developmental editing, but I’m adding service packages that better fit what authors need. These are also designed to take out the overwhelming feelings, anxiety and confusion most first-time authors get when their goal of writing a book becomes a burden.
Each package includes a discovery call, whether you are drafting, revising or polishing your manuscript. I will evaluate your project and recommend the best options for bringing your ideas to life. Look for these packages soon on my website: www.rivetservice.com.
If you are a first-time or self-published author looking for help getting your book ready for publication, please get in touch with me. https://rivetservice.com/contact-rivet-service/. One discovery call is all you need for me to understand where you are and what you need.
