Why are you publishing this book?

​What’s your motivation behind this publishing project and what is the books purpose going to serve (for you and your readers)? Something needs to drive you. The why behind your purpose, be it professional or personal, does not really matter. What matters is your why will lead to your overall objective, which in turn assists with the approach you will take in structuring the book and marketing your book.

Have you used a style guide?

Consistency is key at every stage, writing, formatting and interior design layout. A style guide, or manual of style, is a set of principles to help you produce consistent writing. Pickawoowoo can provide a general style guide or you can use a formal manual of style which is a comprehensive reference book that covers every stylistic decision you could think of i.e. Chicago Manual of Style.

Who are your target audience?

You cannot write a good nonfiction book without first identifying who your reader is. You want to be specific. Not everyone, everywhere will want your book (as most new nonfiction authors believe).

Have you engaged an editor?

Editing is important for all book genres, but it’s of critical importance for nonfiction titles. A good editor will help guide you through a combination of audience connection, authentic writing, and compelling message delivery.

Are you telling readers what you want rather than what the reader needs to know?

If you hope to publish a book that will connect and resonate with readers, then you must go beyond what you want to say and write what the reader needs to know. In order to write what the reader needs to know, you need to have first identified your why and your reader.

Why is visual communication a key point in non-fiction?

Speak loudly, speak visually. A common challenge we face with creating content is that we put resources into exceptional text that fails to make the impact we want.