The English Letter
Write Your Way To Success
Published by Wayne A. English
January 2026

In January we begin a three part series on digital images, how to make them, where to acquire them, cell phone photography, and how to create an effective book cover that looks good full size and as a thumbnail.

Steps To Publishing Nonfiction With an Agent or Publisher

With any book project, begin with the reader.

Who will read this book?
What does the reader want to know?
Why will the reader buy this book?

We recomment that you answer these questioins, in writing, as they will inform of who you are writing for. Then begin your rough outline where you list everything you want included in the book. Do not censor yourself and don't worry about the order of precedence. For now, just get it all down. Later you will decide what goes where. Remember this is a rough outline.

After a few days, revisit the rough outline and put in order. You will find areas that you need to research. That's a good thing. List them. The idea here is to make an outline you can ass to, delete from, and reorder into the that of the final book.

Your rough outline is now a final outline including your completed research. You now have all the material you need to start writing your first draft. Yes, you read that right. Your first draft. When complete go back and edit it. As to editing, you can edit chapter by chapter or edit the entire book. That's up to you. One writer writs 500 words per day and edits them into their final form. This takes time, but when the work is complete it does not require additional editing.

Remember what, Mark Twain said, "When you edit don't write and when you write don't edit." This is excellent advise and we recommend that you follow it because ding the both at the same time will ensure that never compolete the book.

Your book proposal sells the project. We do not recommend writing more than three chapters until you have a contract because changes may be requested. Your book proposal will contain all the data needed to create the book. Be Advised: Your contrtct will include a date for the manuscript to be in the agent's or publishers office in paper format and pwerhaos electronic as well. If the manuscript will be late, notify everyine involved ahead of time.

Your Book Proposal

To see the book proposal that sold Web Content Rx: A Quick and Handy Guide for Writers, Webmasters, Ebayers, and Business to Career Press follow the above link. Be advised the book proposal runs 123 pages and 42,000 words. Your book proposal is a serious document that you will spend time on.

You are advised to obtain - and follow - book proposal guidelines from your agent or publisher. You will be asked to include:

The competition
The intended reader
Your qualification to write the book
Who will purchase your book
Your writing style
What you will do to help with marketing
Include your Biography
Your publication list
And more

If you are a published author with a solid track record you can, and likely will, sell your second book with a letter or an email. Why? The publisher knows your work is saleable and that you're a professional that can be relied upon.

Book Recommendations

The Eight by Kathleen Neville is superb fiction. Well written, well researched. It is excellent..

Online Tool For Writers

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips Mignon Fogarty is the founder of the Quick and Dirty Tips network and creator of Grammar Girl, which has been named one of Writer's Digest's 101 best websites for writers multiple times.
Our favorite AI editor is ProWritingAid

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Remember: Exercise Caution When Using AI

The new ChatGPT Atlas browser comes with a built-in sidecar chatbot that understands everything on your screen (no more copy-pasting for context). Atlas also automatically logs your browsing history to deliver personalized responses. Plus, Pro, and Business subscribers get access to an agent mode that can automate web tasks like filling out forms and ordering items. It’s currently available for macOS. Windows, iOS, and Android versions are in the pipeline. You can download it here.
There are many AI tools online. You can find them with a search using your favorite search engine. These tools can make graphics, summarize video text, search the web, answer questions, and write a book. Here's a list to get you started: Synthesia
We do not recommend using AI generated content unless you have personally edited it and have the expertise to know that the material is true and accurate. The technical term for an AI presenting false information is 'hallucinating.'

Got a question?

Have a questions? Send it to:
Wayne@WayneAEnglish.com

The Business Blurb

Never allow anyone to tell you how to do business.

Bye For Now

Next Month: Self Publishing Fiction.

Wayne A. English is an award-winning author of five books, many articles, short stories, and poetry. Wayne is published in local, national, and international publications. He lectures on writing, publishing, and marketing. To learn more about him visit WayneAEnglish.com and read his blog MarketWrite for all things writing related.

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