How do you get inspired to make a book and is it really that hard to publish a book?
599638
Write about something that interests you, something you want to share with a lot of other people.  It's impossible to publish a book that's not written, so finish it first, then worry about finding a literary agent and publishing company.  But first: write, write, write.
1033710
Hi, Dan.  \n\nCongratulations on your great idea.\n\nThere are a number of questions you must first answer before the advice anyone gives you about publishing your book can actually be of value to you. They include some of the following:\n\n > What is the subject of your self-help book?\n\n > Who is the book's target market?\n\n > What are your credentials for writing such a book?\n\n > How much, if any, research have you done on this subject — particularly to see what other books have already been written on this subject and/or to this market? \n \nThe fist rule of marketing anything — including BOOKS — is to make sure you have a market for your product before you create the product...not the other way around.\n\nYou wil probably want to do some pretty thorough research to see what else is out there that's even a little like yours.  This is not to defeat or discourage you, but to let you know how to talk with the publishing industry.  For example, this process will enable you to language a comment like, "It's a little like Dr. Phil's most recent book, but with less yelling, and targeted specifically to husbands of women who've had miscarriages," so that you can give them a better idea of exactly what you have in mind.\n\n > Do you have any agent contacts in mind already?\n\n > Have you put your proposal together yet?\n\n > If it seems like it will take some time to find an agent and/or publisher, is self-publishing a consideration?\n\n > Do you have a graphic designer who is handling the cover and interior layout?\n\n > If you had to describe your budget for this project, would you say it is:\n\n * Whatever it takes to get the job done properly \n * Flexible, within reason \n * Very limited \n * I have no budget for this project \n   \nYou probably will want to head to Amazon.com or your local bookstoe and invest in a book called The Writers Market.  It's a big book (maybe 3 inches thick) that costs about $30 — or you can get the one that comes with a CD-ROM for about $50.  What it contains are the best known agents, publishers, and outlets for all genres of writing in the country...as well as a few international sources.\n\nThe good news is that the self-help market is one of the biggest there is, and non-fiction is fairly easy for new authors to break into, even with a traditional publisher (as opposed to self-publishing). \n\nThe honest truth is that this could be a full-time job for you, depending on how serious you are about it.  One cardinal mistake new authors make is not realizing that a book is a BUSINESS unto itself, and you need to think of it as one.  To do it properly, you'll need the same kinds of tools you would to get a business started: a timeline, a budget, a marketing plan, and a well-thought-through execution strategy.\n\nThis is a project that, if done properly, is going to take a big investment of time, money, and energy, particularly if you go the self-publishing route (even as an e-book, which is NOT the best recommendation for a self-help book).  If you're not under a tight external deadline and have the personal capacity for or access to some of the design components (editing, layout, cover, pagination), you may be able to somewhat contain the cost.\n\nWhatever you do — DO NOT overlook the need for a good editor.  Quality editing — or the lack thereof — has the ability to seal your book's fate, for good or ill.\n\nBegin by identifying the market your book will reach (be as specific as you can, making sure, however, that you have a large enough viable market that both needs your book and is willing to pay for the information it contains), and then start looking at agents and/or publishers who work with material for people in that group.  An agent is the middleman, who negotiates between you and the publishing company.  The publisher is the company who puts up the cash to build the books, market them, and distribute
1187480
Its better to come up with your own ideas, because if you use someone else and sell your book. Thay can and more then lickly will sue you.\n\n\n I am a wright I will listen to your ideas, I bet you have more ideas then you know.
76823
Check out Booklocker at the source.  Using their system you can self publish and keep all rights.  Read the FAQ's.  They will help you with many of the publishing tasks for a reasonable fee; or you can do most or all of it yourself.  They are selective but will review almost anything.  Good luck with your book.
79306
Check out this site for self-publishing, they may be able to help you, http://www.lulu.com/
458317
Is there something you are good at or have a special knowledge of?  I am thinking about the same thing as you (writing an ebook).  What do you do for a living, or what are your hobbies.  Hope that gets you thinking.
1176248
You won't get much time of day with a mainstream publisher, unless your name is already well-known, or your story is VERY timely for the market, or you are personal friends with someone in the position to make decisions regarding money.\n\nPublishing is a tight business. Only a certain number of books can be published per year by each company; and they are swamped by many more manuscripts than they have room to deal with. Right now, you don't even have a manuscript... so odds are you won't get anywhere at all.\n\nWhat I would do if I were you: Look around the web for writer sites (there are many out there!), where writers who are constantly writing and selling get together to share knowledge and tips and encouragement. That information will be valuable to you... and plus you can post your request on the forums and see if anyone bites to be your ghostwriter.\n\n(You don't have to agree to the first person who responds, you should get a feel for them before making any commitment.)\n\nYou will also do well to write up a book proposal. Many book publishing companies usually have them on their site, for download. Generally, you need to state your name, contact info, title, general description of book, table of contents, marketing ideas, what you can do to advertise your book, and so forth. \n\n(You want to list the things that you think can help the company feel that you are a risk worth taking, but you want to do it concisely as possible because time is a priority to them.)\n\nYou can also think about finding an agent to help you. Good agents do not demand a fee/percentage until they sell your book. Again, the writer sites can help with this.\n\nFinally, I would recommend contacting smaller niche publishers. Your competition is less, and most of them are more willing to publish things off the beaten path, with smaller print runs. You will probably be much more successful contacting smaller houses.\n\nBe ware of self-publishers, many will overcharge or take advantage of you. They have their plusses, but usually it's not a good financial investment (especially Print on Demand) -- it depends on how many copies you plan and want to sell.\n\nSorry this is not more detailed, but you can find material all around the web. Good luck.\n\n(btw, while you say you are not a writer, your question shows you have a good command of writing. You might just need someone to help you organize your ideas.)
563638
Why you want to know??? You writing a book???
418459
most of my inspiration happens when there is a tough time.  experience is the best motivation for songs i would say that if you sit on your sofa all day or go to the park for a period that is not enough room for life to happen.  unless you hope to loose everything.  then that would be quite a journey that you could write about.  however just let inspiration hit you were ever you are and write down ideas and what spurred the thought while you are at work and then pick it back up when you are home.  PS.  if you right lyrics before music that is what i call poetry.  If you write the music before that lyrics then that is true song writing.
1020422
You could self publish through some sites on the internet.  See below for more details.\n\nhttp://www.booksjustbooks.com\nhttp://www.wheatmark.com\nhttp://www.outskirtspress.com\nhttp://www.justbookz.com/selfpublishingbooks\nhttp://www.spawn.org/selfpub/selfpub.htm
54
Publishing a book is a lot of hardwork. It takes 2 years sometimes for first timers. See URL below for broad steps.  Steps differ based on what kind of books one would try publishing.
903791
Depends on how hard your subject is and how much digging you need to do.\nI am just beginning to write a book for kids. It will be a simple book but since it is not fiction it does take research which can be done online or at a library. Your are doing research paper for what? College, work, to write?\nMany who write non-fiction full length books can take a year if they are pushing. Others take 6 months on easier topics. Just make sure you reasearch all avenues dont leave anything uncovered. Push yourself to get more and more infor. You can always drop some of it later if it is not accurate or not appropriate.\n\nGood Luck
1018247
Start creatively with a little story or quote from the book.  Quotes work great as attention grabbers because then it seems like the paper is less like reading a paper on the book and more like reading the book itself.  I've never actually read this one so I can't give you any good quotes.  You may also start with a quote by someone famous.  Quotegeek.com has lots of searchable quotes.  Good luck!
868000
Write a product review of your Book and what you benefit from it. Then share the articles with other people.   That the best way to attract people to buy your book.\n\nHope this will help.\n\nBernard\nhttp://internetmarketingtipsweb.blogspot.com/\nhttp://discoverthesecretsofdog.blogspot.com/
688285
I am writing a Cookbook. What I did is search for Book Publishers on the Inet. Many may require money from you up front (But, market the book better) and some may not charge any up front fees (And Do nothing for you), it just finding the one you want. Let me go check my "Favorites" and I give you a few links BRB.\nWell, most of mine only do Cookbooks, but, this one; http://www.trafford.com/\nHere they have a Free Publishing Guide to help you. YOU NOT have to use this Publisher. Research this for a long time. Above me are some GOOD answers. Publishing a book takes time do not hurry! As, I work on my Cookbook I have the time to research more Publishers and Costs. Hopefully when my Book ready I will know who to send it to and what they require to Accept my WONDERFUL Cookbook. ;-p
1128480
I know how you feel. I write my own sotries too, but I have a major problem. I can never finish them. I have far too many ideas in my head and I will start on another part way through the one I'm writing now. What we need to do is stick to pattern. One can write many things at once, they just need to get their thoughts organized.\nI am very organized, I keep all my stories/ideas for stories in three ring binders in my bookcase. I can just pull out whichever one I want to work on, and put it away to work on another. For some people, it is so complicated to get our thoughts out, and then you get people like Anne Rice and J. K Rowling who spit out new books every year. \nMy advice is to keep all your ideas. File them. Brainstorm some more, and look back on some things you wrote. Find an opening and blend them together. You may not be staring at the beginning, but hey, that worked for Lucas didn't it?\n\n\nSounds like a great idea, work on it. Don't give up.
119598
Don't make you write a poem, don't force yourself. Wait a while, and keep your eyes open, let the world inspire you and then write about something you're interested in the title should come easily then