Tips for Success (Part 1):
Have a discussion.
What are your expectations for the project?
What kind of book do you intend to write?
Neither I nor my coauthor were out to write the next blockbuster that would ultimately end up as a Netflix movie.
It was more of a desire to express oneself creatively with a book that would be lighthearted, entertaining, and thought-provoking with engaging characters, humor, and an interesting, contemporary theme (artificial intelligence). We acknowledged that the present world, with all of its angst, could use as much of a diversion as possible.
Who is your audience?
This is a tricky one, as I have to admit that in our excitement over the project, we probably
didn’t consider the audience as much as we could have. After all, targeting your readers up front is critical to helping you craft your book to appeal to a specific group or groups. You might have an idea regarding who would appreciate your book, but bringing your audience into sharp focus is important. It helps to consider what other titles you think readers of your book would enjoy.
Do you hope to get your work published through traditional publishing means or the more common route of self-publishing?
If you are self-publishing, what platform(s) do you intend to use to mount your book? KDP
publishing? IngramSpark? Apple Books? Just to name a handful. There is a wealth of
information out there to research in order to craft a game plan.
How much time do you wish to devote to the project?
Many writers work in fits and starts and have trouble churning out text daily. Are you both OK with short lulls? What other commitments might interfere with the project for either of you? Set up a loose timeline and see if you are on the same page.
What are the financial expectations?
For a polished product, most books involve some professional editing, proofreading, etc., not to mention an attractive illustrated cover. Navigating something as seemingly simple as obtaining an ISBN or submitting your final manuscript to KDP Amazon can also be a Herculean task for a first-time author, who may benefit from obtaining professional guidance. Researching these costs and deciding on a budget is a basic consideration right up front.
Tips for success (part 2):
What are your plans for marketing the book?
Writing and launching the book is just the beginning if you want to get the title into your
intended audience’s hands. There are many ways to market a product. Blogs and other social media, book talks, mounting the book on a variety of platforms at once, among others. Agreeing on a plan makes for smoother sailing.
Play to your strengths.
Is one of you a researcher at heart and enjoys that aspect of the work?
Preliminary editing and proofreading are gigantic undertakings. If you are lucky, at least one person in the partnership is not of the mind that they would rather have a root canal than tackle these chores.
Same thing with social media. There are vast differences in skills and comfort levels with that aspect of marketing your book.
Test the waters.
Try working on a small project first. Maybe it’s a short story or a blog; see how it goes. Mutual admiration toward each other’s talents and even friendship may have brought you together, but in the end, coauthoring needs to be based on compatibility as authors in order to have a positive, fruitful relationship.
After meaningful discussion and giving it a go with a bit of writing, trust your intuition. Does the collaboration seem like a compatible one? If not, consider single authorship or seeking another partnership. There are so many vastly different authors out there that might be a better fit, each with their own unique energy, interests, and skill sets. That is what makes the world of literature so fascinating.
A successful outcome
When I think about my own experience in coauthoring, I feel lucky. Jumping in to the deep end with a good friend and initially stumbling through the process worked out well in a sort of learn-as-you-go manner.
I gained new knowledge from exposure to her creative authoring chops. I also grew as an
author from enlisting a skilled professional editor, a proofreader, and a professional illustrator. My coauthor has told me that she benefited from partnering and what I brought to the table as well.
Best of luck on your current or future project!
Let me know if you have coauthored and what insights you may have.
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