Writing a Book

1. 65

   Alli Roseposted 9 years ago

   I am in the process of writing a survivalist book for women, entitled "The Ultimate Chick's Survival Guide". Being a Marine, well former Marine who is also a former Iraq vet, I thought it would be a good idea. I was contemplating doing this by publishing one chapter as a hub at a time, then deleting it after I got insight. I want honest opinion. I have half of the book done. What are your thoughts on the matter?  Anyone who helps edit, give insight, etc. will be listed in the book as sources. Stupid idea or what?

   replyreport
2. 70

   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   Publishing the entire book online will use first worldwide digital publishing rights even if you do delete them later.  This may limit your publishing options.

   replyreport
3. 67

   Randall Guinnposted 9 years ago

   Hi Alli,
   
   I think that you have a good idea there. While basic survival needs are the same for male or female, I'm sure that from a woman's perspective, that there must be a number of unique needs that men would overlook. If you plan on trying to get it published main stream with a major publisher, then this might pose a problem, as publisher's normally want first publishing rights. Still, it can be very difficult to get published this way today. You will most likely stand a better chance if you get a literary agent first. On the other hand, I understand why you would want to publish it here first. Getting honest input would be an invaluable tool.
   Good luck,
   Randall Guinn

   replyreport
4. 73

   Kathleen Cochranposted 9 years ago

   I did the same thing with my second book and got some great feedback.  My third book is being proofread right now by a very generous fellow hubber.  You have a captive audience here of avid readers.  Use us!  Semper Fi

   replyreport
5. 68

   Glenn Stokposted 9 years ago

   I think it's a good idea, as long as you are self-publishing.
   
   When I wrote my book I reworked my manuscript dozens of times before I finally published it. Then I continued to get ideas for improvement that I couldn't add since it was already published.   
   
   The nice thing about writing online is that one can make changes and improvements before committing to hard copy. In addition, interacting with reader comments also helps one create additional useful content. I would have loved to include my responses to comments in my book. 
   
   I did it the other way around, having published a few hubs based on content in my book. But I wish I had done it online first, as you are considering doing, because then I would have made the content into something even better for the final book. 
   
   Having said all that, there are two things that you need to consider:
   
   1. Publishing online gives thieves the opportunity to steal your work before you publish the book. You will need to be proactive with setting up Google Alerts of your own content to track plagiarism and filing DMCA takedown notices with hosting services when discovered.   
   
   2. If you plan to make a Kindle version in addition to a paperback, and opt for KDP Select later, then you may have a conflict with digital rights that may lock you into certain digital formats.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Regarding KDP Select - they do a LOUSY job with digital!  I prefer Kindle.  I'm self-published, and have made multiple changes to my books.  It's great to be able to do that!  What I did was include a chapter of each book on my HubPage, and I uploaded one book on a separate HubPages account under my pen name, Ana Kolomeka, so educators can read it.

      replyreport
6. 70

   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   But KDP Select is Kindle, it is just the Kindle program where you choose to sell exclusively with Amazon and are opted into their loan system as well as their sales system. The book handling system of each is identical.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      CreateSpace allows you to publish in ebook format, as well as paperback.  I'm suggesting skipping CreatSpace's ebook format and going straight to Kindle, since they do a much better job.

      replyreport
      1. 70

         psycheskinnerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Createspace is print only. They will try and segue you from there to Kindle which can lead up to messed up formatting.  But through either channel it is a Kindle book which you may or may not choose to enroll in Select.

         replyreport
7. 60

   Rakim Cheeksposted 9 years ago

   I believe that would be a great idea. Your book sounds very interesting. Good luck!

   replyreport
8. 82

   ecogrannyposted 9 years ago

   If you hope for publication with a major publishing house, you may want to check out their guidelines around previously published work before you publish online. It's been a long time since I checked, before the Internet in fact, but back in the dark ages, when I was a young writer, publishing houses were sometimes chary of previously published work.

   replyreport