So you want to write an education book (part 3)
Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash
Welcome back to my series So you want to write an education book. Head back to part 1 and part 2 for more context and background.
It’s time to write!
You’ve developed an idea for your book. You pitched it to a publisher. They offered you a contract. Those are all huge hurdles to leap over. But now it’s time for the marathon. Let’s write.
Here are some of the insights from my author survey and my own experience about tackling the actual writing-the-book part of writing your book.
Finding the time
How long does it take to write a book? Your answer won’t be like anyone else’s, because each author needs to take into account their work schedule, family obligations, health, writing style and speed, reading/research speed, the systems they’re using for feedback, and more.
Of the authors I surveyed, timelines ranged from three months (which the author did not recommend as a good time) to two years. Six months to a year was the most common timeline. Keep in mind that six out of ten authors I surveyed were not full-time teachers while writing their books. That includes me: I wasn’t full-time in the classroom while writing either of my books. That said, I do know some full-time teachers who found ways to write their books around their school schedule. It’s all about figuring out what timeline will work for you.
Here’s what worked for me. I gave myself approximately nine months to write each book, but I also crafted my schedule so that the last two to three months of that time were mostly dedicated to writing with minimal other paid work I would need to attend to during that time. As a self-employed person, I had the flexibility to do that, and financially I made it work by planning ahead.
I carved out that time because I know that, for me personally, I need dedicated time to let the book take up 100% of my brainpower in order to do my best work. I can’t logistically do that for the entire process, so I protect the time toward the end. I work on the book the whole nine months, but with varying levels of intensity across that time. I also build in lots of time for reading and research, which is a key part of the writing process. I’m pretty slow when it comes to reading academic writing, so I take that into account as I map out my timeline.
I share all this because it’s an example of what I recommend that you do as you consider your timeline: reflect on what works for you, what doesn’t, and what you need, and then craft your timeline and writing schedule around that awareness. What worked for me might be a nightmare to someone else, and someone else’s process (like getting up at 5 am to write before work) would be a nightmare for me. Don’t try to fit your process into someone else’s suggested timeline or expectations.
Preparing emotionally
Almost all of the authors in my survey said that they felt anxiety and imposter syndrome as they wrote. In my experience, these emotions came in waves. There were times when I felt joy and excitement, times when I felt stuck and overwhelmed, and lots, lots, lots of anxiety, especially connected to how readers would react to my work. For me, an absolutely essential part of the writing process is emotional support. This looked like:
Keeping friends and family updated on my progress so they could be there for me
Celebrating small milestones along the way
Taking breaks, especially after receiving feedback (more on this below)
Therapy
Venting to my group texts and author friends
Again, figure out what works for you and then build the structures that will help sustain you through the process. But don’t worry - it’s not all difficult. Most of the authors I surveyed said they experienced joy throughout the process. I know I did.
Feedback and working with editors
Authors’ experiences with the editors at our publishers varies quite a lot. I’ve talked to some author friends whose editors were very hands-on, helping them to brainstorm chapter by chapter and then offering extensive feedback on each chapter draft. Others shared that their editors only offered general commentary and encouragement. Some editors required sections of the book to be turned in along the way; others only gave feedback after the full draft was submitted. Many authors agreed that asking for what you need from your editor is important.
Because the feedback process varies so much by editor, many authors choose to hire independent editors to provide more consistent and in-depth feedback throughout the process. I didn’t do this while writing my first book but did during my second, and found it to be very helpful in my own writing process. Many authors also solicit feedback from family members, friends, and colleagues. I often send sections to trusted friends, and my husband helps me with a thorough read-through when it’s time to check the page proofs for typos. I’ve also made use of sensitivity readers with identities and areas of expertise different from my own. As you build out your personal feedback team, consider the balance: multiple perspectives can be very helpful, and you also don’t want to get so lost in differing feedback that you start spinning your wheels.
Additional editors and sensitivity readers are generally not included in book contracts provided by education publishers (meaning the money is coming out of your pocket), but I know a couple of authors who have advocated for and received publisher support for paying sensitivity readers. I hope this becomes standard practice in the future.
With all of these types of feedback, it’s helpful to have a routine so you can make the best use of that feedback. I love Jenn Binis’s tips on feedback which include the great suggestion of waiting 24 hours before implementing any of the feedback you receive. Also, remember that feedback is not law: you get to choose what to accept or reject. It’s your book, and ideally all of the people giving you feedback are trying to help you make it stronger.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
The public image of a writer is a solitary person holed up in a cabin somewhere, furiously typing until the book is done. But hopefully you’ve seen by now that writing is actually collaborative in a lot of ways. If you’re struggling, banish that isolated cabin-writer from your mind and reach out.
Ask your editor for more feedback or to hop on the phone and talk through an idea. Ask a friend for some encouragement. Ask a colleague to help you track down some research you’re struggling to find. If you’re approaching your deadline and you need more time, ask for more time. Even though your deadline is written into your contract, stuff happens and in most cases your publisher is going to be totally willing to give you a couple more weeks (or even longer) if you’re worried about the deadline.
As I wrote, I kept track of all the people who helped me in big and small ways. This list turned into my acknowledgements at the end of the writing process. Writing the acknowledgements is one of the best parts of the book, a chance to celebrate the community that brought you here.
It’s not over until the page proofs are in
One of the most nerve-wracking parts of the book-writing process, for me, was turning in a final draft and knowing I couldn’t make any more changes. But don’t worry - you actually have several opportunities to make large and small adjustments throughout the process.
With most publishers, you can make changes during revisions and during the copy-editing process. The last chance you have to make any corrections is when reviewing your page proofs, and corrections at this stage are typically reserved for spelling errors and other small fixes. Ask your publisher about the specific process there so you have the time you need to make any adjustments.
Once you send in those final page proofs, it’s time to celebrate: you’re really and truly done writing your book.
In our next installment, I’ll talk about the time leading up to and following publication day, including marketing, book launches, and royalties. Tune back in then!
