Write a Short Book Fast
My first self-published book was a short book written in less than a month. I claimed the title “author,” but my saddle-stitched booklet made me feel like an imposter. Then I discovered similar short books—e-books, perfect-bound paperbacks, and stapled booklets.
As time passed, I noticed thought leaders, bestselling authors, and influencers publishing short books, like Frank Kern (Convert), Lewis Howes (The Millionaire Morning), and T. Harv Eker (The Good Millionaire). These were just as “real” as long ones, and they were, indeed, authors.
Fiction and nonfiction writers can use the short-book-fast strategy to become authors, grow their platforms, and sell more books. Many can finish a short manuscript in less than 30 days and self-publish shortly thereafter. Of course, you also can launch in less time.
Short books run about 15–100 printed pages or between 2,500–35,000 words long (give or take a few thousand words). That equates to approximately 10–135 typed manuscript pages.
Why Write a Short Book Fast
1. The thought of writing a long-form book feels overwhelming. Short books make becoming a published author seem easy and unintimidating. Plus, each short book boosts your confidence, making writing a longer book seems doable.
2. You want to increase your income or platform. Whatever your genre, short books can increase the size of your income and audience. Your one well-received book leads a reader to purchase another by the same author. And the more books you sell, the more money you earn.
3. You want to claim the title “Author.” If you have reason to claim you are an author now—not in six months or two years, a short book offers a solution. In just a few weeks, you can publish and launch a short book.
4. You need a book for an event. A short book will suffice if you want to sell or give away books at your next speaking gig. Short books, especially booklets, can be inexpensive and fast to publish. E-books take less time but can’t be handed out.
5. You want to create a product. A book is a product. If you have no products yet to sell from your author website, a short book fast fits the bill. Adding it to an existing product, like a course, increases value, too.
6. You want to build your mailing list. Your mailing list is an essential part of your author platform. Offer potential subscribers a valuable short book for free to get them to “opt-in.”
7. You want to jumpstart your writing career. Get your writing career moving by publishing a small book. Or write a chapter of a longer book and publish it as a stand-alone. Do this for every chapter in your book, and then compile all the short books into that big book.
8. You want to promote a book. A short book serves as a leader to your other books—long or short. Include information that sends readers directly to book sales pages or mention your books in the content.
“Fiction and nonfiction writers can use the short-book-fast strategy to become authors, grow their platforms, and sell more books.” —Nina Amir
Writer’s Digest
10 Short Nonfiction Book Structures
The following 10 book structures lend themselves to writing a short book fast.
1. Tip Book: A tip book features 10–101 tips. Include one tip per page and a paragraph or two (or more) explanation. Or offer a list with many per page and only one sentence of explanation. A quick look at Amazon finds examples like 101 Wedding Planning Tips: To Save You Time, Stress, and Money! by Jason J. Kelley or Quick Tips for Genealogists by Juliana S. Smith.
2. List Book: If you write lists frequently, you can write a list of 10–101 things your readers need to know. Then, write a short essay to go with each item. Or publish the list with a sentence or two of explanation for each item. Barbara Ann Kipfer did this with 14,000 Things to Be Happy About, as did Scott Edelstein with 1,818 Ways to Write Better & Get Published, but neither is short.
3. Quotation Book: These inspirational books feature on 25–50 quotations grouped around a theme. Start with an epigraph at the start of each chapter, and then write a short essay to go with it. Elaborate upon the sentiments of well-known people and the meaning you find in their words. Or use quotations from your books or blog. Excellent examples of this short book structure are Everyday Wisdom by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer and The Book Lovers Treasury of Quotations by Jo Brielyn.
4. Rx Book: Prescriptive nonfiction, or how-to books, provide guidance or direction—a prescription for what ails your readers. You could provide 10 steps for better relationships, 12 ways to build your business, or a guide to container gardening. Be the expert or interview experts and provide steps, processes, rules, or ways to solve a problem, answer a question, or ease someone’s pain. Often called handbooks, guidebooks, rule books, or step books, a good example is How to Manage in Times of Crisis by Ichak Adizes.
5. Anthology: This book structure requires you to edit and compile content solicited from 10–25 contributors. Then write a chapter of your own and maybe an introduction and conclusion. The contributions should relate to one theme; thus, it’s best to plan the content and then ask experts to write on specific subjects. Anthologies are typical in nonfiction—think of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Still, novelists and short story writers can do this, too, as witnessed by the Timeless Romance Anthologies.
6. One-Concept Book: A one-concept book focuses on one “big idea.” First, introduce your idea, and then explain it concisely. Think of your book as one long chapter divided into subheadings rather than multiple chapters. Seth Godin is a master at writing short one-big-idea books, including Tribes and The Dip.
7. Q & A Book: A question-and-answer book uses each chapter to pose a question and provide an answer. Make a list of potential readers’ common questions and answer them. You might add an introductory chapter or a conclusion. A super example of this structure is The Artificial Intelligence Question and Answer Book by Ken McCarthy. However, it is not a short book.
8. Benefit Book: A benefit book discusses the benefits of something, such as an exercise method. You could have five benefits or 101. Write a short essay (or 1–2 paragraphs) describing the benefit for each. For an example, check out Health Benefits of Black Seed: Mediterranean Miracle Seed by Dr. Cass Ingram.
9. Problem/Solution Book: A problem/solution book addresses common problems in a subject area. List your potential readers’ most common or pressing challenges. Next, create your manuscript by providing solutions. For an example, check out K9 Search and Rescue Troubleshooting: Practical Solutions to Common Search-Dog Training Problems by Susan Bulanda.
10. Essay Book: An essay book comprises several essays on one topic or related topics. For instance, you could write a book with 30 pieces on motherhood, jogging, or gardening. A search on Amazon provides many examples of essay books, but most are lengthy. Instead, write an essay book comprised of short essays—each two–five printed pages—so it remains short. Or include fewer essays.
Tips for Writing a Good Short Book Fast
The following eight tips will help you write a good short book fast:
1. Write an outline before you write.
2. Find a model to imitate.
3. Set a short deadline.
4. Write short chapters.
5. Keep track of your word count so you don’t write more than necessary.
6. Decide in advance how to publish—printed (perfect bound or saddle stitched), e-book, booklet, workbook, etc.).
7. Have your book professionally edited and proofread.
8. Commission a professional cover.
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Write your short book fast by employing one of these 10 short-book structures and in the process, build confidence for writing your “big” book soon. Or, if you like writing short books, knock out several each year.
Imagine marketing and promotion that doesn’t require you to perfect the hard sell or learn how to become a professional marketer. This enlightened approach is called literary citizenship. If you read and if you genuinely enjoy writing and bookish culture, you can practice literary citizenship. It’s simple to understand and can be applied online and offline alike. It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert or extrovert—these techniques can be adapted for any personality. The only requirement? You’ll adopt an abundance mindset. You’re not competing with others, but collaborating; when others succeed, you will succeed too.
Writer’s Digest University