If there's one thing I've realized over the past few years, it's that writing a book is only one way to earn income, and unless you're a New York Times bestseller, it doesn't necessarily pay enough to earn a living. That's where the practical advice of Nina Amir comes in--in her new book, Authorpreneur: How To Build a Business Around a Book, she painstakingly leads writers through the process of creating products and additional streams of income all tied back into the books that you create either traditionally or by self-publishing.
Review:
Like most of us, Nina Amir says she started out with the dream of just being an author. It didn't take long for her to realize she could capitalize on the information she had already researched and created by building a business tied to her books.
I personally am focused write now on finishing revisions on two YA and one MG novels, but when the times comes, I am well aware I'll have to create products and services related to those books in order to bring in extra money. While reading Authorpreneur, my mind kept wandering back to a non-fiction book proposal I wrote several years ago and pitched to exactly one agent before getting a polite rejection letter and putting in a drawer. At the time, I wasn't aware of all the self-publishing options out there. Now I realize I could produce the idea into an e-book, especially since I've already put together a mock syllabus for a related online class.
After reading Authorpreneur, I soon realized the sky's the limit--it all depends on how passionate and organized you are about you book's topic. An author has the ability to create e-books, workbooks, templates, spreadsheets, bonus material, podcasts, videos, workshops, classes, telesiminars, webinars, speaking engagements, and so much more.
For example, I've often wondered how some writing coaches and consultants create websites with "members only" subscriptions, and this is one of Nina's areas of expertise. She guides the reader on the best services to use and how to set up the sites based on your particular needs/wants, as well as creating mailing lists.
While the information in this book is mostly geared toward those who write non-fiction, I did find a few gems that fiction writers can also use wisely, such as this one:
"If you write fiction, you have to be creative," says Nina. "Think about crossing over into nonfiction and creating an area of expertise related to the themes and subjects in your novel."
Thanks to Authorpreneur, when my publishing dream becomes a reality, I'll be well-prepared to make the most out of my expertise and content. That's a beautiful thing.
About the Book:
You’re happiest when you’re writing. It’s what you’ve been put on this Earth to do, and you hope to one day make a living from your books. But you've probably realized how difficult it is to earn enough from book sales alone. In fact, most authors, even some New York Times bestsellers, end up having to take on outside work in order to make ends meet.
If you must do other work, why not have it be work that supports and relates to what you love—your books?
If you want to earn a living as an author, you have to think beyond your book. Not only that, think like someone who is more than an author. Think like an entrepreneur. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, just the fact that you’re writing books means you have what it takes to become an authorpreneur.
About Nina Amir:
Nina Amir, the bestselling author of How to Blog a Book and The Author Training Manual, is a speaker, a blogger, and an author, book, and blog-to-book coach. Known as the Inspiration to Creation Coach, she helps creative people combine their passion and purpose so they move from idea to inspired action and positively and meaningfully impact the world as writers, bloggers, authorpreneurs, and blogpreneurs. Some of Nina's clients have sold 300,000+ copies of their books, landed deals with major publishing houses and created thriving businesses around their books. She is the founder of National Nonfiction Writing Month, aka the Write Nonfiction in November Challenge, and the Nonfiction Writers' University.
Find out More About Nina:
Review:
Like most of us, Nina Amir says she started out with the dream of just being an author. It didn't take long for her to realize she could capitalize on the information she had already researched and created by building a business tied to her books.
I personally am focused write now on finishing revisions on two YA and one MG novels, but when the times comes, I am well aware I'll have to create products and services related to those books in order to bring in extra money. While reading Authorpreneur, my mind kept wandering back to a non-fiction book proposal I wrote several years ago and pitched to exactly one agent before getting a polite rejection letter and putting in a drawer. At the time, I wasn't aware of all the self-publishing options out there. Now I realize I could produce the idea into an e-book, especially since I've already put together a mock syllabus for a related online class.
After reading Authorpreneur, I soon realized the sky's the limit--it all depends on how passionate and organized you are about you book's topic. An author has the ability to create e-books, workbooks, templates, spreadsheets, bonus material, podcasts, videos, workshops, classes, telesiminars, webinars, speaking engagements, and so much more.
For example, I've often wondered how some writing coaches and consultants create websites with "members only" subscriptions, and this is one of Nina's areas of expertise. She guides the reader on the best services to use and how to set up the sites based on your particular needs/wants, as well as creating mailing lists.
While the information in this book is mostly geared toward those who write non-fiction, I did find a few gems that fiction writers can also use wisely, such as this one:
"If you write fiction, you have to be creative," says Nina. "Think about crossing over into nonfiction and creating an area of expertise related to the themes and subjects in your novel."
Thanks to Authorpreneur, when my publishing dream becomes a reality, I'll be well-prepared to make the most out of my expertise and content. That's a beautiful thing.
You’re happiest when you’re writing. It’s what you’ve been put on this Earth to do, and you hope to one day make a living from your books. But you've probably realized how difficult it is to earn enough from book sales alone. In fact, most authors, even some New York Times bestsellers, end up having to take on outside work in order to make ends meet.
If you must do other work, why not have it be work that supports and relates to what you love—your books?
If you want to earn a living as an author, you have to think beyond your book. Not only that, think like someone who is more than an author. Think like an entrepreneur. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, just the fact that you’re writing books means you have what it takes to become an authorpreneur.
Nina Amir, the bestselling author of How to Blog a Book and The Author Training Manual, is a speaker, a blogger, and an author, book, and blog-to-book coach. Known as the Inspiration to Creation Coach, she helps creative people combine their passion and purpose so they move from idea to inspired action and positively and meaningfully impact the world as writers, bloggers, authorpreneurs, and blogpreneurs. Some of Nina's clients have sold 300,000+ copies of their books, landed deals with major publishing houses and created thriving businesses around their books. She is the founder of National Nonfiction Writing Month, aka the Write Nonfiction in November Challenge, and the Nonfiction Writers' University.
Find out More About Nina:
Website: www.ninaamir.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/ninaamir
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ninaamir
Nina is giving away one copy of her book in a tour-wide giveaway through WOW! Women on Writing. Enter to win a copy by entering the Rafflecopter form below:
