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I am almost embarrassed to answer this question because it totally seems like everyone says they want to write a book, right?
But I've been fitness blogging for a few years and I'm looking to write a book about health/fitness/weight loss specifically aimed at black women. (A little background if you're like "why specifically for black women". About 75% of us are overweight due to a number of factors. As a result, we suffer disproportionately from hypertension, high blood pressure, and more aggressive forms of cancer). My goal in this is to provide a resource for black women (and really all of our sisters, white, mexican, mulitracial) to take control of their health despite cultural norms - issues with our hair, issues with exercise not being a huge part of the culture, and nutrition norms.
Ok, all that said, my question is - how do I start? I have poked around online looking for representation or a literary agent to meet with, and sent an email, and know that an outline is generally the way to go for nonfiction, but wondering if anyone has more info on this process. My ultimate vision would be to write this, and write a few spinoffs - guide to a healthy pregnancy, guide to motherhood etc etc.
Full disclosure: I make my living as a developmental editor and ghostwriter, and my initial advice would be to get at least a draft of a manuscript together, get some critique on it, expand the draft, then revise.
*Then* start looking for representation IF traditional publishing is the route you want to take.
It sounds like you may already have a skeleton in place with your blog posts, so think about organizing them in some logical way, finding a theme for the whole thing, then tying the posts together.
Agents and editors don't really work with ideas and outlines; they need a full manuscript, especially from a new writer. Pros can sell work on proposals, but honestly, you probably can't.
If you PM me, I'd be happy to offer you some resources that might help you with your plan.
Full disclosure: I make my living as a developmental editor and ghostwriter, and my initial advice would be to get at least a draft of a manuscript together, get some critique on it, expand the draft, then revise.
*Then* start looking for representation IF traditional publishing is the route you want to take.
It sounds like you may already have a skeleton in place with your blog posts, so think about organizing them in some logical way, finding a theme for the whole thing, then tying the posts together.
Agents and editors don't really work with ideas and outlines; they need a full manuscript, especially from a new writer. Pros can sell work on proposals, but honestly, you probably can't.
If you PM me, I'd be happy to offer you some resources that might help you with your plan.
Good luck with your writing!
Very interesting. A lot of the internet reading I've done (Dr. Google strikes again) indicated that an outline was what was needed, so that's interesting - full manuscript is what's needed. I would like to publish traditionally, so this is all good info! I may pick your brain for more info!
I've written a few books myself and have self-published them. I've been wanting to get properly published but I have no idea how. They're fiction and are family drama/supernatural genre. In fact, here they are: http://www.thelanternlight.com/books.html
Is there any advice anyone could give me? I find the process of finding an agent and a publisher extremely intimidating and daunting.
I'm the VP of the Triangle Association of Freelancers, a local nonprofit writers' group. We started out as a non-fiction group, but are embracing fiction as well now since so many of our members are in that camp. Many of them have been published in both the traditional and self-publishing avenues, while others are still working toward publication. Our goal is to be a resource for writers of all stripes, but especially those who are just setting out and are unsure how to proceed. We meet once a month at the Red Hot & Blue on Falls of Neuse in North Raleigh. To learn more, go to Triangle Association of Freelancers Main Page. Our annual writers' conference is coming up in April, and we have a strong lineup in both the fiction and nonfiction tracks. Hope you can make it.
As Mark suggests, finding a group to support you and share information is a great idea. Here are a list of a lot of other literary resources in the Triangle and statewide. Literary Groups/Resources « Triangle ArtWorks
I'm also a member of Triangle Area Freelancers, and I think they are one of the most positive, supportive, energizing group of writers I've ever hung out with. I leave each meeting inspired and bubbling with ideas for articles, stories, and pitches.
New members welcome! Please come to our next meeting.
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