Turn Your Story into a Marketable Book: A Roadmap

Sep 15, 2024 |
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You don't want writing to be just a hobby anymore—you want to write books that sell with worlds your readers are longing to fall into.

Turn Your Story into a Marketable Book: A Roadmap


Turn Your Story into a Marketable Book: A Roadmap


Turning your ideas into a fully realized, marketable book can feel like an insurmountable challenge. For science fiction and fantasy authors, this journey has even more unique challenges—but also infinite opportunities. Whether you’re crafting a sprawling universe filled with alien civilizations or a fantastical realm brimming with magic, the desire to publish your novel is not just a dream—it's a goal that can reshape your career and open doors to a dedicated readership where you can share worlds.


Yet, I've encountered many authors who, while they dream of publication, play it down. They don't want to get their hopes or expectations up only to have them dashed without an agent or publishing contract—or no sales from self-publishing. They want to reach readers who need their story, but actually getting their story to that point seems like an unrealistic goal.

 

Maybe that's you. Maybe you're afraid of ruining something you love so much... Or you fear you'll have to become something you're not in order to achieve any sort of success. And so it's safer to maintain control by basically stalling out and avoiding being proven wrong/a failure/[insert your latest imposter syndrome fear here!] to let the dream live on unblemished. But the cost is usually not moving forward. Not seeking editors or querying agents. The cost is quietly self-publishing just to have and hold the novel that means so much to you. And not getting even the modest sales you hoped for and wanted to believe might come anyway. 


But there's a difference between putting a book out into the world—and putting a marketable book out into the world. 


Let's explore the reasons why authors should aim for publishing a marketable book, the challenges and opportunities faced in this age, and how my new checklist/map tool, “The Word Wizard's Journey: Turn Your Story Idea into a Marketable Book," can help you identify your next steps toward publication. Plus, don’t forget to book your FREE roadmap call with me before October 31 to let me help you finally re-start your journey!


Why Aim for Publication?


You don’t want writing to be just a hobby anymore; you want to be published and actually sell books. Yet, the path to publication can feel daunting, leaving you unsure about what your next steps should be. The process of publishing is overwhelming, especially when you’re not confident about which parts you may not even know exist. 


But remember, the first step to creating a marketable book is crafting a strong story. In my guide, “The Word Wizard's Journey: Turn Your Story Idea into a Marketable Book," I will walk you through each stage of this transformative process, helping you navigate the complexities of writing and publishing with confidence. Whether you're in the idea stages or revisiting an unfinished manuscript, it's time to turn your dreams into reality and share the story only you can tell with the world.


Challenges Faced by Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors


It's an age of content overwhelm, and more books are being published every year. Therefore, it's no big surprise that many writers feel stuck amidst all these options. They want to publish but find themselves spinning in circles over their first chapters, or they rush to publish too quickly, resulting in characters whose voices “drip with condensation” (←ugh! true story from one of my latest dark academia reads!) and plots that lack crucial consistencies. Often, they try to navigate this complex landscape ON THEIR OWN. And why is that? Quite a few reasons, but they generally boil down to these four BIG ones:

  1. A novel-length project feels REALLY hard: Even a love of the story isn’t always enough when the process feels so vast. How do you know what you don’t know?
  2. Too many options (methods, editors, oh my!): It’s a blessing and a curse. More options mean more choices to get stuck on, and procrastination creeps in!
  3. Impatience + overwhelm leads to rash decisions: It seems better to hit “publish" in the moment than to ensure it will actually sell... and who has the time or money for that?
  4. Getting help feels like a loss of control: Authors worry that their story won’t be THEIRS anymore.



Opportunities for Publishing Success


But do you know what I'm seeing? Authors—especially science fiction and fantasy authors—have more options than ever, the potential for quality has grown exponentially, access to experienced editors and writing mentors is just a click away, and readers are STILL voracious. 

So let me help you break through each of those challenges! Because none of those reasons for stalling out on your path to publication has to be your reality. The truth is:

  1. The process does not have to feel so big when you know the steps and take them one at a time.
  2. You can make more informed and efficient choices when you align your process with your goals.
  3. You’ll save time and money by ensuring your book is actually solid.
  4. Your book will always be YOUR book. You are its AUTHORity and can choose what advice to take or discard. But that advice might lead you to the difference between marketable and unknown.


Writing a high-quality book doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and seeking help doesn’t mean losing the YOU in your story. In fact, it can enhance it! By taking advantage of the current landscape where support is readily available, you can turn your dreams for your story's future into reality.


Additional Opportunities for Publishing Success

  • A Growing Market: With an increase in readership, the demand for quality science fiction and fantasy novels is higher than ever. This is your chance to stand out with a compelling narrative.
  • Access to Resources: Writers can now find experienced editors and mentors online, making it easier to enhance their skills and refine their manuscripts. The right guidance can help you navigate the publishing process effectively.
  • Innovative Publishing Options: The rise of self-publishing and hybrid publishing means you have more control over your work than ever before. Explore these avenues to find the best fit for your goals without putting your book into the void.
  • Community Support: There’s a thriving community of writers and readers in the fantasy and science fiction genres. Connecting with others who are learning alongside you can lead to collaborations, feedback, and inspiration to get through the tough stuff.

The truth is... writing a book that sells is much simpler when you follow a charted path through the weedy tangle. With the right tools and support, you can transform your story idea into a marketable book that resonates with readers. Let’s unlock your story's potential together! And I'm not just saying that. I don't give up on making stories the best they can be.


What a Roadmap to a Marketable Book Means for You


As you dive back into your writing and work hard to turn your story idea into a marketable book, one of the most crucial elements to keep in mind is the importance of knowing what steps to take and in which order. Although the whole process can be complex and overwhelming even with all the available resources (and sometimes overwhelming because of all the available resources), you can follow one proven path so you can stay on track to actually reach your publishing goal. With a single, clear roadmap, you can navigate this path with confidence. 


Understanding the sequence of actions—from developing your story to refining your manuscript into a marketable book that agents want and readers buy—ensures that you’re not just moving forward but doing so efficiently and effectively. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a solid foundation for your work. 


By putting to use the “The Word Wizard's Journey: Turn Your Story Idea into a Marketable Book," you’ll gain clarity on the process and be empowered to tackle each phase methodically. This approach not only saves time and reduces frustration but also enhances the quality of your final product.


Don't let imposter syndrome keep you stuck! I want you to know your story deserves to be told, and by following a charted path, you can transform your writing dreams into reality.


Don’t hesitate to reach out for help; it doesn’t mean you’ll lose control over your narrative. Instead, it will enrich your work and help you create a book that truly resonates with readers. So, let’s take those steps together! Book your FREE roadmap call with me before October 31, and let’s strategize your journey to publication. The first step starts now—take it with confidence!

Categories: : book coaching, manuscript stages, self-publishing

Are you ready to learn the brain science hacks to help you get your stories on the page or ready for readers? Let me know what you're working on, and I’ll let you know how I can help!


Contact Me

THE DIY ROUTE

If you would like more resources and writing craft support, sign up for my FREE 3-Day Validate Your Novel Premise Challenge email course. You will learn how to check if you have a viable story idea to sustain a novel and then follow the guided action steps to craft your premise for a more focused drafting or revision experience in just three days.

THE COURSE + COACHING ROUTE

Cut through the overwhelm and get your sci-fi/fantasy story to publishable one easy progress win at a time! I'll coach you through the planning, drafting, and self-editing stages to level up your manuscript. Take advantage of the critique partner program and small author community as you finally get your story ready to enchant your readers. 

EDITING/BOOK COACHING ROUTE

Using brain science hacks, hoarded craft knowledge, and solution-based direction, this book dragon helps science-fiction and fantasy authors get their stories — whether on the page or still in their heads — ready to enchant their readers. To see service options and testimonials to help you decide if I might be the right editor or book coach for you,

Hello! I'm Gina Kammer, The Inky Bookwyrm — an author, editor, and book coach. I give science fiction and fantasy authors direction in exploring their creativity and use brain science hacks to show them how to get their stories on the page or ready for readers. 


I'll be the book dragon at your back. 
Let me give your creativity wings.



This bookwyrm will find the gems in your precious treasure trove of words and help you polish them until their gleam must be put on display. Whether that display takes the form of an indie pub or with the intent of finding a traditional home — or something else entirely! — feed me your words, and I can help you make that dream become more than a fantasy.