How to Make Money With Your Book

Writing, publishing and marketing a book can be a tremendous investment of time and money--so much so that many aspiring authors won't embark on the journey until it's clear they will get something (preferably dollars) out of it. Trouble is, they don't know how to make money with a book beyond the traditional model of "sell book, get paid a royalty". Royalties can be slim pickings, sometimes just 7 percent of the book's retail price. If you're looking to make more you'll have to think of your book as not just a book--you'll have to have a bigger picture in mind.

Does Your Topic Have Moneymaking Potential?

Be honest. Do others want what you have to offer? If your book is a memoir, for instance, with stories that only your family members can truly appreciate, there won't be a big market for it. However if your memoir is a harrowing tale of recovery, that's different. Others would want to read it and connect it to their own experience in one way or another.
You'll want to think the same way about your fiction or non-fiction book. What's selling in the stores right now? Can you make such a connection? Can your book tie into a current wave of popularity (Chick lit.? Business leadership? Current events?) Or is your book different, but so totally out of the box that you can grab some attention for it? The clearer you can be with nailing down a market for your book, the easier your job will be.

Sell It In Bulk

Why sell one book at a time when you can just as easily sell 25, 50, 100 or more all at once? Think about getting a company or a group to make a volume purchase. Support groups might want all their members to have your recovery memoir; churches might be interested in passing on inspirational works to their congregations; businesses certainly are in need of free gifts for their customers. Do a little research and find out what possibilities exist for your book.

Use Your Book in Your Business

If you're an entrepreneur, a book can be an excellent lead generator. It's a way to reach customers who may not have found you through your usual marketing strategies. You'll see this technique at work in books such as "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" and "No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs". These books offer invitations to free seminars, coupons for free gifts, contests, free trial subscriptions to newsletters. The authors of these books understand that while they'll make a little money from selling the book, the real funds will flow from turning the customer into a purchaser of their higher end products.

Use Your Book to Pursue Job Opportunities

If you're not an entrepreneur, you can still earn financial benefits from your book in non-direct ways. Think of it like this: your book becomes your business. You use it to attract speaking engagements, teaching gigs, or even consulting work. You could develop a workshop around your book. Many of the teachers in continuing education programs such as those offered through The Learning Annex (www.learningannex.com) are authors who have done just that. If you're in the corporate world, think of this: few people get to walk around with the word "author" on their resume, so it's sure to stand out when you're hunting for your next job. In fact, it may bring you better offers!

Prepare Your Plan of Action

If you've been putting off starting your book because you're not sure if there's money in it, then do your research. Take a few of these ideas, or use them to think up new possibilities, and map out how you could make money with your book. If the numbers look good, print them up, post them near your computer screen and let the vision of those potential dollars inspire you to your book's conclusion.

Hero's Journey, Monomyth (188 Stages of) - Old World and New Self

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Fear of the Return to the Ordinary World*****

The Hero - willing and unwilling - often lives in fear of the return to the Ordinary World and the Ordinary Self. In Star Wars (1977), Luke never wants to go back to Tattooine. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie wakes up afraid that Clyde is not there. Even seemingly unwilling Heroes do not return to the same place - the Journey has given them a new capacity and transformed them into a New Self. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Andy does not return home but goes to Mexico.

*****Leaving behind a tangible of the Old Self*****

With a goodbye of the Old Self, we see the Hero leave behind a tangible part of his old self. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Valerie sees Ennis in the café. She leaves.

Hero's Journey, Monomyth (188 Stages) Screenplays for Films

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Devolved State*****

This is a total expression of the Hero's Ordinary World and Ordinary Self. It is a benchmark. In Tsotsi (2005), Tsotsi is part of a criminal gang, which is something he will leave behind by the end of the story. In Get Carter (1971- the superior version with Michael Caine), we discover in the first scene that Jack Carter's Outer Challenge is to discover who killed his brother, his Inner Challenge is to escape from his criminal associates / past and his Romantic Challenge is to wrestle Britt Ekland away from the mob boss.

*****First Trial Inner Cave - No Going Back*****

A number of things happen in the Inner Cave of the First Trial. One element is the No Going Back. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Blanche wants out but Buck (and therefore she) can't get out because he has killed a man.

188+ stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) and Transformation - Conscious Agreement

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Middle Cave Trial*****

The Middle Cave, whichever it is (First Threshold, Road of Trials or beyond) is where the Hero confronts Allies and Enemies. A Trial is not unusual. In Straw Dogs (1971), David finds it hard to work, drives to town and is nearly involved in a car accident, which he skillfully avoids.

*****Conscious Agreement*****

The Hero consciously agrees to Journey and Transform, post the Unbearable Antagonism. Methods include:

Explicit Statement. An Explicit Statement or Declaration of Intent is heard. In The Matrix (1999), Neo has a choice between the blue and red pill. In Star Wars (1977), Luke explicitly states that he wants to join Obi Wan and become a Jedi Knight like his father.

Implicit Statement. Even if the Hero is unwilling, the Explicit Statement may be implicit in the Hero's action. In Gladiator (2000), Maximus' family has been brutally murdered. He will seek revenge.

Affinity Fraud - I Trusted You and You Screwed Me

In March, 2007 Dateline NBC aired a story called "To Catch an Identity Thief" in which a man was fooled into going into business with a woman who promised he would make a lot of money if he would re-ship goods sent to his home to overseas recipients. The man, Jeff Ball, fell in love with this woman, Wendy, who earned his trust and then defrauded him well over $40,000 in shipping expenses on these packages. The fact that she gained his trust only to turn around and screw him over describes a fraud called affinity fraud.

Affinity fraud is a scheme in which your trust in another person is used against you. This is a type of moral crime that can take a financial and emotional toll on the victims. The person running this type of scheme targets people by gaining their trust and infiltrating their ranks. These groups are often churchgoers, senior citizens, cultural minorities, and low income individuals.

A person engaged in affinity fraud will often become a member of a group in some official looking manner. Doing so puts people at ease with the newcomer and a certain degree of trust is given. These con artists do this regularly and are adept at earning other people's trust.

Friendships or relationships are established for financial gain

A person engaged in an affinity fraud scheme will automatically earn some trust among their fellow members. They work quickly to earn more trust by associating themselves with the leaders of the group so that they can utilize that relationship to earn trust among the group's members. This type of fraud can take some time to establish but the rewards can be big for the person committing this scam.

Victims of affinity fraud are very embarrassed

Affinity fraud scams are difficult to note and stop because the victims are in a state of denial or too embarrassed to report the crime to local authorities. Victims feel there is nothing that can be done because the money or property was freely given to the culprits. At the very minimum, report the crime to authorities so that the perpetrators can be stopped and nobody else will become a victim. Otherwise the crooks will seek to victimize other unsuspecting people.

There are lots of consumer fraud schemes out there. It is up to you, the consumer, to educate yourself to recognize what is and is not legitimate. Hopefully our advice will help you minimize becoming a victim of the crime of theft by deception.

The 188+ stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Gap between the Old and New World

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Gap between the Old and New World*****

A critical aspect of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the gap between the Old and New Worlds. This manifests itself most often on the Road of Trials, when the Hero is part way from the Old and New Self. In Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Billy goes to bed early because he misses Mom, even though Ted is well on his way to being his new Mom.

Just Write

Have you ever questioned why you write? Have you ever written a piece that seemed to be five hundred words of nothing? Or had your conclusion written out but lacked an intro or middle? I too get ahead of myself sometimes. I'm so eager to be done with whole writing process that I'm already thinking of the most eloquent way to say "the end".

You get to a point where you really don't want to draft, edit, proofread or do any of the other things to that go with writing. Perhaps you'll go and put a load in the laundry.

Laundry! When did chores become more satisfying than producing a written piece to share with like-minded people, or to illustrate a different perspective? If you put too much pressure on yourself then anything seems more important than writing. And you'll be finding any excuse to escape and procrastinate.

It's not that you are procrastinating from the actual task. You like writing. You like expressing yourself and possibly getting a little praise in the process. It's the stress that you are procrastinating against.

The pen chewing, fingers drumming, backspace pushing, stress. You know that lurking around your worksite are all those devilish obstacles such as writers block, brain fogs, your computer crashing right when you are in the middle of the most glorious sentence you ever wrote. Your hands will cramp up, or worse you'll just sit there staring at the nothingness which is your writing career-why must you suffer so-

There's really no need to be so dramatic or get an anxiety attack when you have to write. You know that the second you get started you won't be able to stop and that a hand cramp was never a good enough reason to stop writing and you love those, Ah ha moments that follow after a good healthy brain fog. And let's face it, has there ever been a better excuse to make the kids clean up then "I'm in the zone, if I stop now I may never write again!"

Yes, we have to take a few blows for our "art", moments when we just aren't as creative as we'd like to be. Or times when we would rather not jot down another phrase again, but it isn't possible. Whether you use articles to promote a business, write literature for children or poetry for social movements, you know that you can not go a long period of time without communicating yourself with one of life's most difficult tools-words. Try as you might the laundry just doesn't have that same spark of excitement as writing.

Don't write to change the world. Don't write to make a point. Don't write to make money. Just write. Write because you want to, because it excites you, because you like doing it. All the glory comes later and it forms itself as you go along. Just write, and then sit back and watch it happen. Ask yourself seriously, if you never became a best selling author, or even published could you really stop. You can procrastinate all you want be inevitably you'll be creeping back to your worksite to rekindle your relationship with your writing. Don't get discouraged and don't put so much pressure on yourself. Just write, whatever it is you want to say.