Skip to main content

Ideas for Re-Writing Your Self-Published Books

Need a break from writing? How about a re-write?

Don't let your writing become daunting. Have some fun with it and when it's not fun, take a break. This might be a good time to leave the new writing and focus on the re-writing season.

I'm using the following approach to update older books on writing, security and my unpublished novel. Technology, processes, information and even my own capabilities warrant these updates.  Giving your books an update will help boost sales and give you a chance to re-introduce your older products as fresh and revised.

If you already have books available or you have some drafts sitting around, postpone new writing projects and give your old publications a face lift. Chances are, you might have some work laying around for the past three years that could use some updating If you have a book, no matter what topic, consider these four factors and apply them to your nice . For example, I've included examples of how I am re-writing one of my books GetRich in a Niche which was published way back in 2011. Since then I've had three years of publishing, writing and blogging experience and it's time for an update.

Here are some things that I've updated that I hope will give you some fresh ideas for your own re-writes.

1. New and more innovative processes are available in your genre- Publishing options have increased since the last edition. New opportunities to get books out there have are now more abundant and there is plenty of positive press for do it yourself publishing. As a result of new opportunities, I've included exercises in this edition to help authors determine what type of publishing is right for them

2. You've become a more accomplished writer with genre material-I've written more blogs explaining the writing and publishing process. With two to three years more experience, I can better explain not only the concept of publishing, but application. Now the reader will be more knowledgeable about writing and publishing and they will be equipped to make better decisions. 

3. There are more marketing opportunities. Within the past three years, more technology, innovation and knowhow is out there to help authors market their books. This makes it possible to add more material to my book as well as report on what doesn't work as well as it used to.

4. You may have more money available to put into your product-When I released Get Rich in a Niche, it was a total grass roots effort. Editing, cover design and formatting were done with a very limited budget. Now I can afford more professional work and am able to outsource important jobs. Re-write and updates already happening makes it the perfect time for an even more professional appearance.

Yes, even my novel is outdated before its release. Technology in my novel has changed from floppy disk to data stick and from cordless phones to cell phones. Unless your novel is historical, descriptions of hair and fashion needs to be updated to reflect the current era.


So, ask yourself the question; does my book need to be updated? Has information, technology, products or processes changed enough to warrant a re-write? Have my skills improved enough to put out a better product? If so, consider spending the next few months to a year re-writing your books and updating the spin-off products.
Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing. Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing in a Specialized Industry" and "Commitment-A Novel". Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook". See Red Bike Publishing for print copies of: Army Leadership The Ranger Handbook The Army Physical Readiness Manual Drill and Ceremonies The ITAR The NISPOM

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Great Reason to Self-Publish Two

Market Your Way-More and more publishing companies rely on the author to market books. Just look at the latest book covers and see which is larger the author's name or the book title? It's the author who sells books. As a niche professional, you have a built in market and your efforts can easily reach them. You know what works, so go to it. Many people are put off by marketing as I was when I first began. When a niche author serving in an industry with peer-customers, the last thing you want to do is bombard them with sales. Your role is the be the expert and provide answers. Cold calling is also not necessarily the answer in niche marketing. If you've developed a blog, newsletter or social media following, then you have your customer database. Your marketing efforts flow as you provide advice and answers to those following your posts, comments and articles. Many authors teach, speak, volunteer or are otherwise active in their professions. It's hard to remain o...
Post a Comment
Read more

There, In The Jungle...an excerpt from Commitment-A Novel

     The sun painted streaks of pale blue and yellow through the morning sky. Birds were awake, singing to anyone appreciative enough to listen. The moon was full and bright as it still sat high in the western sky.      John listened intently. He was used to the sounds of the jungle, something he would actually miss. Gone were the distractions of machines. However, he prayed that they would soon be getting back to the plane that would take them back to their world–civilization.      Suddenly he was aware of something new–silence. The singing had abruptly stopped, but why? Birds go silent as a survival instinct, he thought. He listened more intently, as the ground would be soft, muffling any footsteps.      There! In the brush – a slight movement. He focused his eyes to one side of the dark, heavily vegetated area hoping to catch something in his peripherals. Behind about fifty yards, vines and branches moved...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why authors might choose to work with a publisher instead of publishing themselves

  Why you might prefer to publish with another company instead of do it yourself. There are a lot of blog, newsletter, training and podcast information telling the good news about current publishing opportunities. Most tout the benefits of putting your own book on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). It is a great resource, but contrary to the popular discussion, it’s not the only option. It seems most information coming out seems to publisher shame anyone who does not “do it yourself”. It’s as if the expectation is to self publish and anyone who does not, is a publishing pariah. There are so many published articles describing benefits to putting your own content out though KDP, heck, even I do it. Most build entire businesses around the KDP instruction or consulting opportunities.   However, I’m more concerned with the author who just wants to write and publish their books without the hassle of the publishing business. The author who wants an outlet to make their book ava...
Post a Comment
Read more