With the rising costs of textbooks, you may be interested in writing your own book.Maybe you are a teacher who is frequently dissatisfied with overpriced textbooks that don't meet your students' needs.Maybe you have a lot of expertise in an area and want to put it in a handy resource.The world of textbook publishing has recently become more accessible to writers and scholars, with a bit of practice and patience, you can navigate the writing and publishing process.
Step 1: Decide on a subject for a grade level audience.
This will determine everything from the content included in the book to its layout design and presentation.You already know the audience you're writing for.You might not know the best way to reach an audience of middle schoolers if you have worked as a college professor of mathematics.If you are writing for an audience that is unfamiliar to you, you should consider hiring a partner who is familiar with this group.As you make a decision on a subject, consider which areas are in need of improvement.Does your book fill a void?
Step 2: Market research can be done.
Textbook publishing is more lucrative than traditional book or magazine publishers.You need to know how much comparable books cost on the market.Define your selling point.What makes your textbook special is defined by the USP.What does it offer that no other books do?You will need to explain to publishers why they should pick your book over others.
Step 3: Discuss your work with fellow authors.
You should get feedback from your colleagues who have also published textbooks.Did they self-publish or use a traditional publisher?How long did it take them to finish their textbook?What did they want to know at the beginning of the writing process?
Step 4: Go for mobile formats.
Some textbooks are only available in ebook form while others have a hard copy.How you adapt your textbook for a digital audience is something you should think about.Will students be able to find practice test questions on the web site for the textbook?Is it possible to design fun games to educate your audience?Consider adding more elements to the textbook.
Step 5: Prepare for the long haul.
It can take a long time between the time you start to draft the book and when it comes out into print.Do you want to invest this amount of time?Are you a fan of your subject?This will help you through the publishing process if you invest in the material you are writing on.You won't find much return on your time and efforts if you just want to make a quick buck.
Step 6: An outline can be designed.
To structure the book, come up with a rough idea.How many chapters will you include?Specific topics will be divided between the chapters.Will the chapters be separate from each other, or will students need to read one before moving on to the next?Do you want the chapters to be in order of difficulty?Will the student be ready to move onto the next grade level when they finish the textbook?
Step 7: The most important material should be included.
You will need to prioritize the most important content if you want to include every single piece of information relating to your subject in the book.What are the goals of the course?What skills should students leave the course with?What should they know about the material in the next level?Students need to take standardized tests during the school year, how will your textbook correspond to that?Look for examples of these tests to help you answer the question.
Step 8: Each chapter needs to be drafted.
You could be tempted to work on each chapter until it's perfect before moving on to the next.This will slow you down.Write a complete draft of each chapter.Once you have a full draft of each chapter, you will be able to better understand how they all work together and where you need to add more material or cut down on the length.Make a writing schedule and stick to it.You will be able to get significant work done if you write your textbook from 3:00- 5:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Don't write erratically in large chunks of time.Do not delay if you are working under a deadline.Give yourself enough time to complete the task.In the months leading up to your deadline, set weekly goals.
Step 9: Useful visuals should be included in an engaging layout design.
You don't want your students to fall asleep.Students might find it difficult to process large blocks of text.You will need to break up the page with pictures, tables or other graphics.Microsoft Word isn't very useful for including visuals with text.If you want to keep images alongside text in your layout program, you should consider putting part of your draft in it.Give yourself some time to learn the basics of the program.If you self-publish the book, this will come in handy.Make sure that you have permission to include outside images in your book.If you don't, you could be sued.
Step 10: Hire an editor.
You can find an editor who works for a textbook publisher, an independent editor, or a colleague that works in a similar subject matter.You need more than one pair of eyes on your work.The editor can help you organize and clarify your content.She will be able to help improve word choice.
Step 11: A traditional textbook press is used to publish.
You can either work with a traditional textbook press or self-publish a book.Pearson, Cengage, W.W.Norton, etc. are some of the traditional presses for textbooks.10% of the royalties for each book sold will be given to you if you work with one of these publishers.The contact information can be found on the publisher's website.Guidelines are usually given for how to submit a book proposal or get in touch with an editor.You need to give the publisher a book proposal in order to get approved by a traditional press.The title and summary of each chapter will be provided by the book proposal.Make sure you explain why your book is important to your students in a clear way.The publisher has a list of books.Do they sell books like yours?This is a positive sign because they won't have to spend extra money marketing a different item on their publishing list.Once you sign a contract with the publisher, you will no longer have rights over the material, as you have to sell the copyright of your work to them.
Step 12: You can self-publish your textbook.
Authors have turned to self-publishing due to the competitive nature of publishing with traditional presses.The textbook publishing game was entered by Amazon.com.The author will get 70% of the royalties if their book sells for less than $10 on Amazon.The rate is much higher than what is offered by traditional presses.You can make your textbook available for purchase on a personal website.You don't have to put together a book proposal with self-publishing, and you can retain your rights to the material.It is difficult to get the word out about your textbook.
Step 13: There is a market.
They will handle the marketing of your textbook if you publish with a traditional press.If you are self-published, you will need a marketing strategy of your own.
Step 14: You should sell to your students.
Students are the most obvious customer base for a teacher.Explain why you created the textbook in your class.If you have self-published your book, try to keep it at a lower price than a traditional publisher.You don't want your students or their parents to think you're taking advantage of them.
Step 15: Sell to your friends.
Share your textbook's success in your classroom with your fellow teachers and researchers.They can get a sense of the book before they buy it if they share small lesson plans from the textbook.
Step 16: It should be marketed at professional events.
You can sell your book at a booth at the conference if you speak to the organizers about it.If you have a large audience for popular bloggers in your field, you could ask them to review your book as a resource for their readers.
Step 17: Get great reviews.
You want to show that other people have endorsed the book.The value of the textbook will be added to by this.