Tips For Writing an E-Book
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book?
Personally, I thought about it for years before writing How to Start a Freelance Writing Business.
I had always put it off, though, because I didn’t think that I had enough time. That’s because whenever I’d worked on or edited an e-book for a client there had been lots of complications.
However, when the folks a Freelance Folder approached me for the How to Start a Freelance Writing Business project I jumped it at it because it was something that I had been wanting to do and also because Freelance Folder has such a great reputation among freelancers.
What I learned is, with proper organization, writing an e-book is quite manageable. If you’ve worked on other writing projects, writing an e-book shouldn’t be too hard for you.
Here are the steps I followed that could work for almost any e-book project.
(Since I was writing this book for Freelance Folder, I had an additional step of discussing these steps with an editor. If you’re creating the e-book by yourself, you won’t have that step.)
- Choose a subject. (The more you know about the topic, the easier your e-book will be to write.)
- Create a more specific list of what will be included in the e-book.
- Create a detailed outline. (Mine corresponded roughly the chapters in my e-book.)
- Set aside a specific time to research and write each chapter.
- Double-check the information in each chapter.
- Proofread your document.
- Select or create cover art. (My art was provided for me.)
- Save as a .Pdf.
- Decide on pricing.
- Download into a e-book distribution tool (we used e-junkie).
- Market your e-book.
It’s really that simple!
In fact, now that I’ve created one e-book I believe that I’m ready to select a new topic and create another.
Have you written an e-book already? How did it go?
If these tips helped you write your e-book, I’d love to hear from you.
(Note: This page contains my affiliate link.)
Contents (c) Copyright 2009, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
Image Source: www.sxc.hu
About the Author: I am a successful freelance writer with 20 years of copy writing experience. I am available for consulting, business writing, copy writing, editing, technical writing, and web content writing. In addition, I have written an ebook, 
--Deb | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
I haven’t written an ebook yet, though I’ve considered it. I HAVE, however, written a novel. Granted, it’s still unpublished, but that’s not the point. It’s a 135,000-word accomplishment either way! One of these days, I’ll do an ebook, too …
Laura Spencer | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Thanks –Deb!
I think the novel project is probably a bit more complex than an e-book project. (Although I guess you could publish a novel as an e-book.)
At least with the e-book project that I did I didn’t have to worry about character development.
Good luck on your novel!
Deeanna Franklin Campbell | Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Great site. And congrats on the e-book. I’m considering writing an ebook and this is all good food for thought. I’ve been a freelance writer and journalist for over 10 yrs, and I’ve always thought making an outline was a great way to break a big project into manageable steps.
thanks!
Laura Spencer | Aug 14, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Deeanna!
Good luck on your e-book!
Olivia | Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
I thought to write e-book but it is left only to think, because I have not enough confidence. These are great tips that they encouraged me in this step and gave me precise obligations for e-book.
Andrew Philips | Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
I haven’t written an eBook yet!!
Though I have written some documents…and after I have read this article of yours…I am truly amazed and this!!!You have mentioned some of very good points…that a writer must have in his/her mind when writing an E-book…
Thanks a ton, for such nice information…
Keith / Great Documents | Sep 18, 2009 | Reply
Many thanks, Laura for this great and informative post. BTW, I downloaded your Freelance Biz ebook from Freelance Folder a while back, and it was very well assembled. Keep up the great work with your blog and writings
Laura Spencer | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Keith! I appreciate it. I’m glad that you enjoyed the eBook.
Elliott (Set Yourself Freelance) | Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
Short and sweet article Laura..
I recently finished my ebook! It felt like quite an accomplishment to finally get it done.
One of the main things that kept me going was writing consistently. I would write every day, even if it was only for 5 minutes. It kept the train rolling, and led to me finishing the book in only a few months.
I really enjoyed your eBook too!
Elliott