Could I actually publish a book and generate a passive income stream?

Shortly after finishing, I distributed a promo package featuring sample chapters and a synopsis to a hand-picked list of about 10 small to medium-sized publishers who accept non-agented work. I received four nibbles and two of publishers expressed genuine interest in manuscript--so much so they requested to review book in its entirety.

While this was an exciting time for me--this was also when I got my first behind-the-scenes glimpse at publishing industry.

CH-CH-CHANGES I received generally strong feedback about my writing and story-telling ability, even praise for uniqueness of my novel. But at same time, this "uniqueness" was making it impossible for publishers to categorize my manuscript. They couldn't find a round hole in which to fit this square peg--was this mainstream fiction, spiritual material, speculation, all of above?

One publisher asked me to consider changes in order to move forward. Another said changes would be cost-prohibitive so they simply "passed," asking me to keep them in mind with my future efforts . . . and that's when I decided to "pass."

Seems that all those editors admonishing new writers to target a specific genre aren't kidding. If you write a book, they tell us, make sure you'll be able to find a readily-apparent home for it on shelves of your local book store--or be prepared for a hard sell.

MONEY MATTERS To make matters worse, when I began to explore finances of my book being published by a traditional publisher, I really became discouraged. It soon became clear that, unless I had a major bestseller on my hands, I wouldn't be seeing much--if any--profit. Even if it was a moderate success, this is what I was looking at as a "new" author: no advance and only 40% royalties on wholesale price of book. If any money was to be made, it would be going to publisher--not me! So much for dreams of grandeur!

To keep it simple, I would say just five things – first four are obvious enough but last one may shock (and comfort) you.

Let's go through them in order:

Technical ability

This doesn't mean you have to be Saul Bellow or Toni Morrison before you start but it does mean that there is a certain level of competence expected of you before you begin showing your work to outside world.

But don't beat yourself up about it. It's an ongoing process; writers learn all time. It's an attitude thing. As long as you're open to idea that you will need to improve your understanding of mechanics of writing, then you'll be well placed to absorb new ideas, teachings of others and learn through reading and study.

Persistence

The past tells us that writers rarely have an easy path to immortality. We all must suffer rejection a thousand times it seems before we are ready for public to recognize our efforts.

You may despair sometimes at unfairness. You may be frustrated at every turn by a seemingly uncaring world but - remember this - all writers have been down this well traveled road and best and most persistent arrive at their destination better equipped to endure - simply because it wasn't too easy.

Make 'never give up' your personal motto and you will succeed - it's way of World.

A Little Bit of Talent

Anyone familiar with content of my ebooks and courses will know my attitudes on talent.

Simply put, it's not some nebulous item that you can pluck out of air and consume. Neither is it some innate ability that only chosen few can possess.

Rather it is courage to 'tell it like it is' and willingness to hold nothing of yourself back from your writing. You will find that more open and honest you are (however much it hurts) more people will describe you as talented and original.

This is because it's your vision of world that makes you unique - and unique is rare and therefore special.

Make it your goal to always tell truth in your writing - let that be your talent.

A Little Bit of Luck