The journey of writing a book and getting it published
Paul White's nationally distributed syndicated column, “The journey of writing a book and getting it published” is published in 22 publications across seven states. This includes the following newspapers and digital publications: Midland Daily News (MI), SFGate (CA), Seattle PI (WA), Connecticut Post (CT), Laredo Morning Times (TX), Huron Daily Tribune (MI), The Telegraph (IL), and more. In this week's article, discover Paul’s journey of writing and publishing his first book, “The Answer Discovery – How to Change the World by Helping Others…and Ourselves,” and where you can purchase digital and physical copies today!
I believe a story is the most valued form of communication because it’s so much easier to remember data, facts, or concepts when they’re shared within a story. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the story of someone’s life from birth until the current moment or snippets of time along their life spectrum. Every person has a story to tell.
Some people can utilize their creative minds to form an engaging story of fiction that captures our attention and won’t let it go. The satisfaction that comes from being engaged in any story is derived from our natural curiosity being satisfied when we hear “the rest of the story.” This is why I’m in love with both reading and writing.
Earlier this week, I self-published my book “The Answer Discovery – How to Change the World by Helping Others…and Ourselves,” and it is now available in both Paperback and eBook (with an audio version soon to follow). Here’s a shortened version of my journey, loaded with peaks and valleys, ending with the publication of the book I wrote.
Whether it’s a book, an article, a paragraph on social media, or within a personal journal, a writer is compelled to deliver something of value. I realized that I had acquired over 100 life lessons that I knew could help other people in the pursuit of living a fulfilling and happy life. A book, written as a grouping of stories, would be the perfect vehicle to share these life lessons.
My plan was to dedicate time each day to writing approximately 1,000 words as I created stories that made the life lessons I wanted to share memorable and usable. I quickly realized that all writers are actually re-writers as there’s a tendency to keep going back over what you’ve written, making changes and additions so the wording is “just right.”
While traversing many peaks and valleys during the writing, I was able to complete the book. This was huge considering the number of people that start writing a book but never finish (could this be you?).
I felt the book I had written could have such a positive impact on the world that I committed to getting it published by one of the major publishers. To accomplish that, I sent off my manuscript to a big firm in New York to have it professionally edited.
While it was expensive, I was pleased with the results. So much so that I spent additional money hiring the same firm to write a “book publishing proposal” and a “query letter” so I could acquire a Literary Agent. Major publishers will only consider publishing manuscripts that are submitted from Literary Agents unless you’re famous and have social media followers numbering in the hundreds of thousands. I was neither. This process took about six months and included several peaks and valleys.
The next step in the process was sending out the query letters to carefully selected Literary Agents who specialized in the genre my book was written for. I would personalize every email to each agent, according to the specific way they wanted to receive inquiries, and then wait to hear from them hopefully.
After sending out close to 100, the 30% that took the time to reply indicated that I wasn’t a fit or that they weren’t taking on any new clients. I accumulated these rejection letters and placed them all in a file labeled “Motivation to Keep Going.” It was over more than 12 months of trying that I had spent considerable time intensely researching the book publishing industry and began to accept that the path I was pursuing was running out of options.
While I found myself deep in a valley, I’m not someone who will ever give up. I just needed to create a new path that led me to the peak I was seeking.
Fortunately, a new path took shape by accident. On Feb. 28 of this year, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 prostate cancer. After surgery, I’m grateful to currently be “cancer-free." The big C word causes you to pause and reflect on pretty much everything in life.
When I considered where I was in attempting to get my book published by a major publisher, I had a huge “wake-up call.” After all these years of considering myself a seasoned entrepreneur, I realized that I had been willing to turn my book and my sincere desire to have a positive impact on the world over to other people. I’m not sure I can explain why.
To be fair, if Oprah Winfrey, any of the Sharks on Shark Tank, Simon Sinek, and a few other influencers were to show interest, I’d be happy to make myself available. Knowing the unlikelihood of that, I’ve been busy educating myself on self-publishing and using my entrepreneurial skills to create a path forward that allows me to utilize my book and speaking skills to promote a message of positive change for the world and all its inhabitants.
BIG REVEAL: You can purchase my book “The Answer Discovery” TODAY! You can purchase the paperback at Amazon.com. You can purchase a digital version at Google Books, Google Play, Apple Books, Rakuten Kobo, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble! I’ve provided a picture of the cover to make it easy to find when you search for it. I have a link that allows you to purchase the book on my website. So, now is when the real work of being an entrepreneur begins.
To promote the life lessons contained in the book, I’ll be seeking opportunities to engage with people through speeches, interviews, social media, blogs, podcasts, book signings, trade shows, art fairs, and even a flea market or two if it helps get my message out there and promote the “movement of positiveness” I’ve created.
The book was written to be a gift to yourself and one you’d be excited to share with others.
I’m halfway up the greatest peak of my life. I’d sure like to SEE YOU AT THE TOP when I get there. GiddyUp!
In addition to being a nationally syndicated columnist, Paul White is an author, motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach located in Midland, Michigan. His new book, “The Answer Discovery – How to Change the World by Helping Others…and Ourselves,” is available to purchase today. If you’re interested in getting in touch with Paul, please submit an inquiry via our Contact Page.