Your team isn’t built in isolation. Your book shouldn’t be either.
When people envision writing a book, they often envision someone sitting alone at their computer. Hood up. Coffee steaming. Candle lit. Clacking away at the keyboard (Okay, yes, that is how I look some of the time…).
But while bringing a book to life has some solitary components, it is not a process that takes place alone. Far from it.
The belief that an author needs to shoulder all the effort of their book by themselves is a limiting belief. If this is a belief that’s been holding you back, keep reading. I never want this to be the reason someone doesn’t share their story and knowledge with the world.
Support with Writing
Writing books isn’t most people’s primary job. Instead, you’re likely running a company, starting your business, leading your team, etc. On top of that, life is happening. You have family, friends, and hobbies to tend to. You’re building, creating, and nourishing in a variety of ways. But writing a book likely isn’t part of your practiced skillset.
We can’t be experts at everything. It’s okay to ask for help. If you’ve never written a book before and want to give it a go, there’s plenty of support out there. You may hire a ghostwriter (my personal favorite…). You may hire a book coach. You may join a writing group that provides direction and accountability. You may ask friends and colleagues for their input during the process.
Gathering support during the writing process isn’t a sign of incompetence. It shows that you’re open to other views, perspectives, and input. Even as a professional ghostwriter, I have a coach who supports me in my writing. The value I receive from that collaboration is beyond words. There is magic in collaboration during the writing process!
Support through Editing
Whether you go it alone, hire a coach, or use a ghostwriter while writing your book, the next step is editing. Of course, you will do some editing yourself throughout the process to get the highest quality product possible, but as an author, you can only take it so far. It needs to go to an editor. Not because you’re a bad writer. Because you need fresh eyes.
That’s another person who is now on your team for the book creation process.
There are various levels of editing, but all manuscripts need at least some editing. Many times, manuscripts will go through developmental editing, copy editing, line editing, and proofreading. A ghostwritten manuscript may skip developmental editing but will go through the other phases of editing.
Some people get nervous about hiring an editor. They’ve put so much time and energy into their book. They’ve agonized over the details. And they worry that bringing someone new in will make their hard work go up in flames.
Here’s the thing. An editor may tell you things you don’t want to hear. But their job is to provide an outside, experienced perspective on your work. And they still prioritize making sure your book captures the essence of you. They help you keep your work your own while also taking it to the next level of professionalism.
This member of your team is on your side. They’re helping you make the most impact possible for your reader.
Support through Publishing
Going through the publishing process for a book can feel overwhelming. The good news? You guessed it; you’re adding more members to your team during this stage. Even as a ghostwriter, I learn so much and am so dependent on those in the publishing world. Publishers are our friends. We need them on our team.
A good publisher is like a good ghostwriter. With the right fit, you will feel guided and supported throughout the whole process. They will help you navigate decisions, logistics, and how to make the most of your launch. They use their teams to create stunning covers, functional page layouts, optimized keywords, marketing plans, and more.
A book is never a solo venture. There are so many people who are part of the team of bringing a book to life. If you’ve been holding back from writing your book because you think it’s something you should be going alone, let’s dispel that myth. There’s always a team involved. The extent of that involvement is up to you. But it’s no different than how you run your business or team. Everyone is chipping in for a common goal, and that’s good.
If you’d like to add a ghostwriter or book coach to your team, let’s chat! Book a free strategy session using the button below.
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences with those who may find them relatable and helpful.