STARTING THE NEW YEAR AS A PUBLISHED AUTHOR!
There are many ways to think about how to start the new year, but as a published author, people may expect something different from you. They may expect another book this year.
If this was in your plans previously or not, maybe you should consider if this is an option especially if you are a professional speaker or have a wide audience that you consistently work with in some fashion. Your audience will want more of your wisdom on your subject. If you’re a professional speaker or often speak at conventions, you need fresh material anyway. Or maybe you’ve been collaborating with several people on podcasts or on projects. Or maybe there have been great questions you’ve received from audience members at your appearances that have you thinking of more content you can create or points you can further explore. You could easily work these actions and events into a manuscript.
There are many ideas for a successful book, and you have already written one, at least. How hard can another one be?
Let’s talk about your options when it come to subsequent books.
If your first book was an introductory level book or any level below expert, then the next logical step is to write the next book at a higher level. For example, 1st book introductory level, secnd book intermediate level, 3rd book expert level. There could be more, but this gives you the basics of this option.
Create a book about how people can avoid common mistakes in your field of expertise. Yes, this is a real genre of nonfiction book. People make mistakes all the time. This would be a reference book on the most common mistakes and maybe how to fix them.
What about a FAQ book on your subject? People look up FAQs on websites all the time. How about creating an FAQ book on the most trending questions in your topic? A little research and a little internet surfing, and your book will pretty much write itself.
Maybe your topic is broad, and there are several ways in which to reach the ultimate outcome. Your first book may have discussed only one path to get to the end. If there are more, then what is stopping you from writing about other options or creating a book on the different ways to get to the final destination.
If you have been collaborating recently, consider some other options.
Interview several experts in the field and create a book of interviews. You don’t need interview skills for this type of book unless you want to sit and interview the person directly. However, this isn’t always feasible with differing schedule. Email the questionnaire or ask them to answer a discussion question and use the response (with editing and their approval).
Create a book of how other experts in the field got into those top positions or found themselves being successful in their field. You can include your own story, but that is up to you. This book is motivational and will have your audience excited about the topic.
The actual list is endless, but I’m sure this gives you a hint of what is out there and what you can do with your knowledge. Remember, you have an audience that is listening and wants more. You may think you are done, but unless you are really retiring, your audience would love to hear more.