To Do Lists

Publishing house:

To Do, in order of task:

  • Choose working title
  • Write two chapters, outline, intro
  • Do web research for appropriate publishers, agents, similar books
  • Write proposal
  • Find literary agent
  • Get contract with publisher
  • Write book/start blog about topic
  • Hand in book, start editing/rewrite process
  • Create website for book; do SEO
  • Get testimonials
  • Marketing: blog, tweet, social networking
  • Create marketing kit to send out to colleagues
  • Write articles
  • Search web to get interviews and do guest blogs
  • Create Virtual Marketing tour

Marketing Support | Coaching Support | Editorial Support


Print On Demand/Self Publishing:

To Do, in order of task:

  • Choose working title
  • Write outline
  • Choose editor
  • Start writing book
  • Send chapters to editor as you write them
  • Send chapters to readers as you write them (start a family of readers to get instant feedback)
  • Edit/Write daily
  • Choose final title
  • Get ISBN number
  • Complete first draft
  • Choose print model
  • Hire jacket designer, layout designer, proofreader, indexer
  • Choose print house
  • Print house may do editing, jacket design, proofing, indexing for a fee
  • Start blog on topic/find friends and colleagues to mention
  • Start writing articles, blog posts
  • Start getting testimonials for book jacket/inside book
  • Create website for book
  • Do SEO
  • Set up links with distribution/print house
  • Marketing: send kit to friends to market for you
  • Start blog, social networking, tweet
  • Send out marketing packet to blog/reader friends
  • Set up virtual book tour

Marketing Support | Coaching Support | Editorial Support


Ebook/Self Publishing:

To Do, in order of task:

  • Choose working title
  • Write outline
  • Choose editor
  • Start writing book
  • Send chapters to editor as you write them
  • Send chapters to readers as you write them (start a family of readers to get instant feedback)
  • Edit/Write daily
  • Choose final title
  • Get ISBN number
  • Complete first draft
  • Choose print model
  • Hire jacket designer, layout designer, proofreader, indexer
  • Choose print house
  • Print house may do editing, jacket design, proofing, indexing for a fee
  • Start blog on topic/find friends and colleagues to mention
  • Start writing articles, blog posts
  • Start getting testimonials for book jacket/inside book
  • Create website for book
  • Do SEO
  • Set up paypal
  • Set up links on book website
  • Set up links with distribution/print house
  • Marketing: send kit to friends to market for you
  • Start blog, social networking, tweet
  • Send out marketing packet to blog/reader friends
  • Set up virtual book tour

Marketing Support | Coaching Support | Editorial Support


Home Fulfillment/Self Publishing

To Do, in order of task:

  • Choose working title
  • Write outline
  • Choose editor
  • Start writing book
  • Send chapters to editor as you write them
  • Send chapters to readers as you write them (start a family of readers to get instant feedback)
  • Edit/Write daily
  • Choose final title
  • Get ISBN number
  • Complete first draft
  • Choose print model
  • Hire jacket designer, layout designer, proofreader, indexer
  • Choose print house
  • Print house may do editing, jacket design, proofing, indexing for a fee
  • Start blog on topic/find friends and colleagues to mention
  • Start writing articles, blog posts
  • Start getting testimonials for book jacket/inside book
  • Create website for book
  • Do SEO
  • Set up links with distribution/print house
  • Marketing: send kit to friends to market for you
  • Start blog, social networking, tweet
  • Send out marketing packet to blog/reader friends
  • Set up virtual book tour

Marketing Support | Coaching Support | Editorial Support


Ghost Writer/Self Publishing or Publishing House

To Do, in order of task:

  • Decide on book topic
  • Do detailed outline and discussion of intent and vision
  • Decide scope of work to hire out (proposal only, or whole book with/without all editorial services, jacket design, etc.)
  • Do raw outline and book overview
  • Search ghost writer choices
  • Choose one who loves your project
  • Agree to terms
  • Create very tight work agreement
  • Choose print house
  • Print house may do editing, jacket design, proofing, indexing for a fee
  • Start blog on topic/find friends and colleagues to mention
  • Start writing articles, blog posts
  • Start getting testimonials for book jacket/inside book
  • Create website for book
  • Do SEO
  • Set up paypal
  • Set up links on book website
  • Send out marketing requests
  • Design virtual book tour

Marketing Support | Coaching Support | Editorial Support