NON-FICTION

Anchors For Your 'Last' Book

Category: Strategy

Of everyone who has ever written a book, only ten per cent ever pen a second. Statistics don't lie, however remarkable that figure may be. For someone writing their memoirs at eighty-three, a sequel is admittedly a long shot. But what of those who are, say, half a century younger?

"Well, writing doesn't exactly make you rich," I hear you say. There is some truth in that, though arguably the same applies to anyone who fills out their tax return honestly. Is it perhaps a case of dwindling inspiration or mounting expectations? The data is silent on the matter; nevertheless, the statisticians expect it to remain a one-off. All the more reason, then, to ensure that this one book is a success.

To that end, I have set out some practical advice—tips so fundamental they might even prove useful should you defy the odds and write a second.

The beginning

A promising book project starts with the realisation that you, and you alone, decide when to begin. In doing so, you take the helm of your own work. If you are in a relationship, however, do consult your partner first. Writing fosters its own intimate connection: the one between you and the page. Keep this 'affair' to yourself; announcing your literary ambitions to the world is often counterproductive. It creates unnecessary pressure, and those around you will inevitably enquire about your progress.

It is also vital at the outset not to get bogged down in distractions. Concentrate on the core idea. Let your thoughts roam; refining the subject can come later.

The subject

The ultimate choice of subject is deeply personal. Usually, it is something you have been mulling over for some time, and you now face the challenge of translating it into a viable concept. In this concept, you essentially marry your chosen subject with your specific perspective. The subject might be war, for instance, viewed through the lens of civilian life between 1940 and 1945; alternatively, you might respond to a more contemporary development. Whether this concept is strong enough remains to be seen. Do not constrain yourself at this stage, but try to encapsulate your idea in just a few sentences, such as:

For you, it is now clear what the book is about and exactly who your target audience is.

Establishing Order

The next step is to give the aforementioned concept some 'body'. Ideally, this should span two, or at most three, A4 pages. Aim to draft an introduction that clearly defines the book’s premise and its relevance. Outline the chapters you intend to cover and, if the book seeks to answer pivotal questions, list them here. This introduction will serve as the blueprint for your manuscript. Writing it is often the most challenging stage; it compels you to filter, structure, and distil the knowledge you wish to convey, all while keeping your audience firmly in mind. Do not rush this process. If further research is required, ensure it is completed first.

For certain subjects, a journalistic tone is most effective.

Every book is written chapter by chapter, but without the aforementioned blueprint, there is a high chance you will wander and lose the common thread early on. A difficult, tedious process that artist Chiharu Shiota, incidentally, elevated to true art.²

Chiharu Shiota, Destination - Galerie Templon, Paris © Chiharu Shiota

The Role of the Publisher

Once these preliminary steps are complete, you are (almost) ready to begin. At this stage, authors often approach a publisher to pique their interest in the project, and the blueprint you have prepared will prove invaluable here. Particularly with a debut, it is crucial to convince a publisher that you are the right person to tell this story. It is equally vital to demonstrate the book’s added value for its intended audience. Ensure you are well-prepared; if you find this daunting, do not hesitate to seek advice. Success in the literary market is never guaranteed, as publishers today are inundated with proposals and manuscripts. If you are an unpublished author, some may also request a sample chapter to gauge your writing style.

Alternatively, you can bypass this step and submit the completed manuscript later. In that case, you must provide a synopsis highlighting the book's strengths and its position in the market. If you prefer complete autonomy, self-publishing is a viable path—one taken by world-renowned authors such as Mark Twain (Huckleberry Finn), Jane Austen, and Beatrix Potter.³ Each route has its own advantages and drawbacks regarding time, editorial control, and cost.⁴

Ultimately, some sacrifice is required.

While a publisher is not strictly essential, their investment in your work serves as a testament to its quality. Moreover, a rejection does not necessarily reflect the calibre of your writing; it may simply be that another author has pre-empted your subject, or that the proposal does not align with that specific house’s list. Do not take it personally; instead, use it as a learning opportunity. Should you enter into a partnership, remain critical of both content and strategy. If you find yourself at odds with the publishing plan, do not be afraid to look elsewhere.

Maintaining Momentum

Once the writing begins, the challenge is to sustain your momentum and protect your ‘flow’. Difficult days, frustrations, and the frequent debridement of your own prose are all inherent to the craft. Do not be discouraged. You will find that the narrative takes shape gradually, and your confidence will grow alongside it. Carving out sufficient time remains a vital priority throughout. Schedule your hours rigorously. If your schedule is tight, consider which weekly commitments can be pared back to protect your writing time. Ultimately, some sacrifice is required—perhaps curtailing time spent on social media, which, incidentally, will only serve to sharpen your concentration.

As you progress, the primary challenge lies in refining the message you wish to convey. This must not only be structurally sound but also engagingly developed for your intended readership. For certain subjects, a journalistic tone is most effective—as with the example of the Greek border guard. However, works that demand depth and a visionary exploration of a subject are less suited to that style. This applies particularly to professional handbooks or those touching upon academic themes. Above all, resist the urge to please everyone. Be Decisive in your choice of audience and execution.

If you opt for greater depth, ensure that all sources are meticulously documented as you write. These can be included as footnotes or endnotes. Serious publishers and discerning readers will not accept a work that lacks academic or factual accountability. Retroactively sourcing a completed manuscript is an impossible task. Furthermore, failing to cite sources can border on plagiarism—as seen in the case of German politician Ursula von der Leyen, whose medical thesis was found to have insufficient citations in nearly half its pages, though intent was never proven. Naturally, if your work is autobiographical or based on personal experience, this requirement is less stringent.

In conclusion

Ideally, as a form of quality control, you might find a writing partner to support you throughout the process. It is worth reflecting on the level of support you personally require. If you are self-publishing, hiring a professional editor is not merely wise, but essential. After months of writing, you become so immersed in the narrative that you can no longer see the wood for the trees; those small, nagging errors will inevitably slip through your net. If a publisher takes on your book, editing is a standard component of the journey. However, this often focuses on the mechanics of writing rather than the core content—which is, ultimately, what matters most. A publisher may enlist an expert or sensitivity reader, and they will be reluctant to proceed if the feedback on the content is negative.⁵ This is a stage that should never be underestimated.

To that end, ensure you gather ample feedback on your manuscript before it goes to print. If you remain receptive to suggestions, your debut publication will be all the stronger for it.