10 Excuses for NOT Authoring an eBook!

Most people at one time or another have said to themselves, "Someday I'd like to write a book." or "I only wish that someone would write a book about ______." or "I think there would be a lot of people who would be interested in what I have to share about _____ ."

Before the existence of eBooks (electronic books), writing and publishing a book would have been a daunting task. Not so with the marriage of creative writing and eBook technology. eBooks make writing a book relatively easy, affordable, and doable without the need to sell your sole to the publishing devils!

eBooks have advantages that standard books do not. The author can control the entire process from creating to writing to publishing to marketing to sales. eBooks have only a reasonable investment involved in their production and distribution. eBooks provide passive income; a positive reputation as an author; tax breaks as a self-employed entrepreneur; the ability to target niche markets that otherwise would never be considered by standard publishers; act as catalysts for further sales of products and services; access to a world-wide market 24/7; a boost to personal and professional self-esteem; and for many, a fulfillment of a life-long dream - authoring an eBook.

Despite all the advantages to writing an eBook, only some of them listed above, there will always be individuals who like to make excuses for not doing what they really want to do.

With tongue firmly planted in cheek, here are some excuses for not writing an eBook that are really very good reasons for experiencing the adventure known as the eBook authoring journey.

The following 10 excuses are presented in no particular order of importance. They are part of a much longer list.

Excuse # 1

I crave anonymity. I like being the "unknown wannabe author". Who needs fame anyway! I'd rather be nameless and faceless in the crowd. I've never made a name for myself so why start now!

Okay, whoever you are! This excuse speaks to several attitudes prevalent among those not seeing the true value of becoming a published author. Bringing positive attention to oneself doing something that others will appreciate is a powerful incentive to discard that cloak of anonymity and step in to a world of "niche recognition". Do it for others. Do it for you. Seek fame among the "minority" (and maybe fortune too).

Excuse # 2

Money isn't everything you know. I've got enough money so the opportunity to make residual income with relatively little work on my part holds no particular allure.

Okay, Donald Trump, we get the message! Even Donald, with all his money, recognizes that making money is a worthwhile endeavor. Finding ways that can meet your needs at a personal/professional level and combining them with making money is the true "entrepreneurial spirit" upon which civilizations have prospered. But I get carried away! There is nothing wrong with making a profit being one of your motivations for writing an eBook!

Excuse # 3

Nobody helped me get to where I am today. I didn't learn anything from mentors who helped me. I didn't read anything written by experts in the field who acted like mentors to me. I did it all by myself so others can do the same thing.

Are you serious? What about all those text books and self-help books you read? What about owners' manuals, special interest classes, supervisor's assistance, courses and training sessions, colleagues...? "No man is an island." You didn't get to where you are today without the help of others. eBooks are an opportunity to give back to that pool of attitudes, skills and knowledge that you learned from others and add to it your unique insights, experiences, and reflections. Leave a legacy of your accumulated wisdom for others. What you give comes back a hundred fold!

Excuse # 4

I just don't have that entrepreneurial spirit. Being self-employed with all its tax breaks and income after retirement is just not "real" for me.

Everybody has an entrepreneurial spirit. Remember those childhood days when you sold "Kool-Aid" at the curbside to the guys who were putting in the sewers. You loved collecting all that money. And spending it. eBook authoring is much the same. Only the profits will be after expenses not without expenses like in the "Kool-Aid" experience where Mom and Dad supplied the capital. Not like the "Kool-Aid" days. The world of small business (eCommerce) is a fascinating place to be. It teaches you an appreciation for so much that goes on behind the scenes of our commerce system. It makes you an active player. It's exciting.

Excuse # 5

I'm not passionate about anything. I have trouble carrying on a conversation about things I feel passionate about so I know I can't write an eBook. After all, if I can't talk I can't write!

Think back to the last time you got an opportunity to talk about something you really care about. Was it your hobby or interest, your project at work, a 'cause' that is beneficial to others, an event currently in the news, a life-long pursuit, a 'calling'...? There are few among us who don't have at least one thing about which we are passionate. About which we could talk forever. If you can talk about it, you can write about it. eBooks are informal in nature and conversational in form. All you need is a niche market of people like yourself who share your passion. Passion makes good eBook authors.

Excuse # 6

There is already too much information out there! Information is the same today as it was yesterday. Nothing really changes. It's the same old, same old, all the time.

Where have you been? The Internet is viewed as the source of information in the information age. Combine the information age with the technological advances and you create tremendous problems. People are busier and more productive today than they have ever been. So what's the problem that eBooks can solve? With your experience, you can sort through the over-abundance of information and help direct that information to solving your niche market's problems saving them time, effort and money. And they are more than willing to pay you for this! Use the Internet and eBook technology to reach those who appreciate it most - on the Internet. With eBook technology, updating information is easy and affordable making your eBook a living, growing document.

Excuse # 7

I have nothing new to add to the subject of my interest - no new material, attitudes, experiences, problem-solving approaches, information, philosophies, theories, perspectives, knowledge, skills, attitudes... nothing!

Do you really believe that? Are you not a unique individual? Do your unique experiences not bring something new to the subject? Think back to when you first became interested in the topic for your eBook. Think about your journey to where you are presently. Think about others and their journeys which may be just beginning or are being bogged down and need some rejuvenation. What can you offer to these people? How have your successes been forged? Shouldn't others know how you did it? Your USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is what makes you different from others. It's not that information isn't available - it's just that your uniqueness in sharing your information is what others want and need.

Excuse # 8

I'm not up to the challenges. Boredom is ok with me. Change is bad!

Climb out of your rut. You've been stuck there too long. What ever happened to the thrill of experiencing new adventures? What happened to your childhood reckless abandon? What happened to your life? Take up a new challenge that will change you forever. Embark on an eBook authoring journey that will provide you with an opportunity to take a good hard look at yourself. Change is inevitable. Embrace it. Take advantage of the opportunity to share your passion with a world-wide audience. Change their lives while you yourself undergo a change. eBook authors get more out of writing the book than the readers do in reading it! Create your own 'reality' show. Get on with it!

Excuse #9

I only care about myself. Why would I want to make a difference world-wide 24/7 when all I care about is me right this minute. I live for the minute. My minute.

My world is small. My influence is confined. My fame is restricted. My ambitions are limited. My aspirations are within easy reach. My life is... Imagine the thrill of seeing your published eBook cover on a web site. Imagine the excitement of someone purchasing your eBook. Imagine your amazement when customers from hundreds of different countries download your eBook. Imagine the feeling of receiving emails seeking your advice, of encouraging you to write another eBook, of expressions of appreciation for what you have done to help solve someone's problem. Imagine an income in retirement or a new career built around your eBook. Expand your horizons. Look "outside" and "inside" yourself. Write your eBook!

Excuse #10

I have trouble committing to getting up in the morning. I'd have to commit to a life-altering experience if I wrote an eBook and right now getting up in the morning is plenty hard enough.

While we can empathize with you we can't sympathize. We all have trouble getting up some mornings. But you can't make that your excuse forever. One of the biggest steps in the eBook authoring process is the Commitment step. It is at this point in your journey that you publicly must announce your intention to write an eBook. You must be prepared for the feedback that will inevitably come your way. Making a commitment to something is a learned behaviour. Once you share your ideas with others, a marvelous thing happens. People want to help you. They want you to succeed. You suddenly have a team where not long before there was only you and your dream. The journey begins with a single step. Public commitment is often the most important step.

You may have a few other excuses you might like to use. Go ahead. But remember, there are convincing arguments against every one of them. Don't believe me? Ask someone who is successful.

No more excuses. Get on with it. Write your eBook.

© 2005 Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson, a published eBook author and retired educator, clearly appreciates what it takes to author an eBook. His experience as both a writer and an instructor helping people realize their dream of authoring a book qualifies him to ask these very important questions. His business, eBook Authoring Services, at http://www.ebookwritingandpublishing.com is a great starting point for aspiring eBook authors.

Authoring an eBook in 10 Basic Steps

Authoring a book, specifically an eBook (electronic book), is easy, affordable and profitable. Share your expertise and experience with an international on-line community of learners.

Fulfill that dream of yours to write a book and become a published author. Take that workshop you've written and presented; take that unit of study you've produced; take that wish that there had been a book about something when you needed it most and convert that need into an eBook for others to use and enjoy; take that interest or hobby and convert your personal experience and professional expertise into an instructional eBook; share your love of a topic with others to encourage them to share your joy or support them in their quest for further skill development; use your experiences to get someone else 'turned on' to what you have been enjoying for years; provide the attitudes, skills, and knowledge for others that will help them do a better job... Yes, you can accomplish all of this and so much more with eBooks.

The technology of eBook production has become so remarkably easy, affordable and yes, even profitable that you do not need to be a computer expert to become an accomplished and published author.

Whatever your status: student or teacher; worker or administrator; amateur or professional; experienced or inexperienced; veteran or newcomer; rising star or established guru; famous or infamous... you have something to offer to others who have not had the same experiences or accomplished the things you have done.

We at Awaken The Author Within and eBook Authoring Services have broken the eBook authoring process into 10 steps. A brief outline of those steps is the focus of this article. The article is designed to inform you of the steps, assure you that anyone may accomplish the task, provide you with an outline of the process and point you in the direction of further information to make the process both an exhilarating personal adventure and a professional development activity of the highest order.

WRITING is a POWERFUL TOOL. It is the DOING part of THINKING.

The first step in the process is to have an IDEA for a book. There are few of us who haven't said to ourselves at one time or another, "Some day I'd like to write a book about ..." or "I wish someone would have provided me with information about ____ when I was first starting out." or "Now that I've reached this point in my career (hobby, role, interest,...) I'd like to share my experiences with others." Whatever you choose as a topic for your first eBook in particular, choose something about which you already are a self-proclaimed 'expert'! And something about which you are passionate.

The second step in the process is to spend some time in REFLECTION. This is a step that goes hand in hand with the first step. You've already thought about such things as why you would want to write an eBook; what benefits writing an eBook would give to you, the author, and your readers; who would benefit most from the sharing of your experience and expertise; when would be a good time to begin the process; where you might find an audience for your eBook; how you would get your eBook to those people who would most benefit from it. At this step, share your idea of authoring an eBook and the chosen topic with as many people as possible to get their feedback. Be a risk-taker! In essence, at this stage you are working towards the third step.

The COMMITMENT step is the first really important one, the step that separates the dreamers from the doers; the step that embraces change for personal and professional gain; the step that says you are willing to acquire the attitudes; skills, and knowledge to become not only a published author but a successful one as well; the step that moves you into an adventure that will assure you that you will never be the same person again. This is the most exciting step along the way!

The fourth step is called the BIG PICTURE step since it is here that you call upon both your realistic and your fanciful self to envision the final product. Imagine your eBook cover published on a web site, your eBook being read by others, your professional and personal pride in your accomplishment, your exhilaration at earning money as an author (if you choose to sell your eBook), your "dream come true"! At this step you must also make decisions involving such big picture ideas as: the scope of your eBook, the number of eBooks in the series if more than one eBook is required, the topic or topics to be covered, the background information you already possess or need to acquire, the people who can act as mentors...

After the big picture ideas have been dealt with, the fifth step is the choice of how the eBook information is to be CHUNKED. By chunking we mean breaking the general topic into manageable and palatable parts for the learner who acquires your eBook. This depends entirely upon the content of your eBook and the method(s) you see as best to present the material based on your knowledge of the topic. This can range from the simplest format of chapters to question and answer format to case studies to worksheets to theory and practice applications to problems and solutions to how to books to journals of discovery to...

Step six is the step we all associate with authoring an eBook - the WRITING! In reality, this step is merely one of the 10! It is often the most enjoyable because you are writing about a topic about which you have a passion as well as skills, attitudes, and knowledge you wish to share with others. Your personal and professional experiences will make this step a most enjoyable one. Write in an informal manner with impassioned emotion. Write like you mean it! This type of writing is as far from a thesis as you can get - a beauty of eBooks! Use a friendly letter style and talk to your reader much like you would do in a conversation. Although this step may be the most enjoyable, it does require a myriad of decisions by you, the author. You must consider such things as font size and style, spacing on the pages, header and footer considerations, word processing software to use, the length of the eBook, research that needs to be done, links to the web you are going to use, material you must gather together, compiling method for publishing,... plus many others. This is a lengthy list, but manageablewhen you are prepared for it.

The EDITING step, the seventh, is by far the most time consuming as any of you who have written before will attest. When your work is to be published you want it to be as perfect as possible in so many ways not just spelling and grammar. Such things as visual appeal and use of white space on the page, style of titles, table of contents, use of black line masters, resources and sources of information, ease of use... are also considerations. Make sure you have plenty of friends to help you with this step, likely the most time consuming step in the entire process.

PUBLISHING or COMPILING your eBook is step eight which is the step required to turn your book into an eBook! The quality of your eBook when it is presented to your audience in its final form depends on the quality of your editing in step seven. You may choose to have your eBook compiled in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language - .exe) or PDF (Portable Document Format - .pdf) or any of the other ways you can have it done to accommodate different reading devices. Your eBook must be made ready to be downloaded from the Internet on to a computer. You will have the choice of doing a little, none or as much work as you wish at this stage. Your decision will depend on the amount of personal time you wish to invest and the amount of money you wish to pay for the services needed. This cost is minimal regardless of the choice you make. Cost is not a deterrent to getting your eBook compiled.

Like in the previous step, MARKETING your eBook can be done with as much personal effort as you wish. It is important in step nine that you get your eBook to market! You can become your own marketer by creating a web site. Other web sites and professional agents or marketers are also available to do this job. The costs vary depending on the choice you make and there are many choices available to you. Again, cost is not a deterring factor here. For your own sake and the sake of your eBook, you should get involved in the marketing of your eBook as much as possible. After all, you have the most important investment of all in your eBook - your emotional involvement and you know the 'niche' market best for whom you wrote the eBook in the first place. In addition, you stand to gain personally and financially by increasing exposure of the eBook.

The absolute best step in the process which coincidentally is the "10" step, is CELEBRATING! You deserve a celebration for the final step in this literary and eCommerce adventure. You need to thank those dozens of others who contributed in ways big and small to your success. You should rejoice in the euphoria of accomplishing a dream! You should celebrate the fact that many people go through their entire lives without ever accomplishing what you had dreamed of accomplishing - becoming a published author!

Share your success with others and encourage them to do the same thing. Become a mentor to your friends and acquaintances. Share the joy. Leave your mark!

Dare it be mentioned - there just may be one more eBook in you! Let the adventure begin ANEW!

© 2005 Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson is a retired Elementary School Principal who has discovered the joy or writing. He has written several eBooks, instructs others how to author eBooks, ePublishes (compiles) eBooks in PDF and assists authors in designing workshops based on their eBooks. He is a true eBooker!

Goals and Objectives in Authoring an eBook

Goals begin behaviour, consequences maintain behaviour!

Introduction

It is ESSENTIAL to set goals, objectives, targets, expected outcomes... throughout the eBook authoring process.

The positive consequences of completing tasks that accomplish the goals you have set is the motivation to keep moving forward.

For ease of communication the term 'goals' shall be used to represent all of the synonyms associated with the word.

Big Picture Goals

You must have a general overall goal which is to write and publish your own eBook. This is the BIG PICTURE goal. You need to see yourself weeks or months from now as a published author collecting "passive income" for your efforts. Passive income is income generated forever after you have completed the initial eBook writing.

Updates are recommended but not essential. If you choose to provide your eBook for free you will still receive passive results through your ongoing contribution to someone's successful use of your work. Better still, you could see yourself writing another eBook.

The big picture goals include some visualizations, some dream fulfillments, some major accomplishment you have always wanted to pursue, some lasting contribution to a body of knowledge.

Working Goals

Besides the big picture goals, you must establish goals for each of the steps in the eBook authoring process. These 'working' goals are your nitty-gritty, hard working daily motivators.

Without the big picture goal you won't get started and without the working goals you won't keep going.

"You dream won't come true, it won't happen to you - unless you have goals to motivate you to begin and continue."

We all understand the importance of goals but we're not as good at establish appropriate goals, deciding how to reach them or taking the time to write them down. Even after goals are written, the most important step is often left out - HOW you are going to reach them!

Let's look at a couple of examples.

Big Picture Goals

February 11, 2002

My goal is to write an eBook titled, Classroom Visits by School Administrators, for use by teachers and administrators in schools where teacher evaluations require classroom visits as part of the supervision and evaluation process. I shall complete the book by March 31, 2002 and be published by the end of May, 2002.

What does this big picture goal have going for it?

It has purpose. It talks about the reason for writing and the target audience.

It is specific. It includes a proposed title and suggests the content.

It is time oriented. It establishes time commitments and completion dates.

Sounds great so far but you should also:

o Write the goal down, preferably in a colourful and dramatic fashion, and post it in a prominent place where you must read it every day. [Bathroom mirrors?]

o Share the goal with as many people as possible but especially with those persons closest to you. This commits you to pursue your goal.

o Enlist the support of 2 or 3 people who may not help you write but will encourage you to keep going during the rough times. This allows you to keeping progressing toward the goal. They act as a mirror of your commitment. They keep you on track.

What next?

Big Picture Goal: to write an eBook entitled, Classroom Visits by School Administrators

Start: Feb. 11,2002 Finish: May 31,2002

Now you must break that goal down into several sub-goals that are very general in nature but more specific than the overall big picture goal.

This step in goal setting involves breaking down your big picture goal into smaller and more manageable goals; establishing a target date for completion of the goal; listing the means to accomplish the goal (your to do list); and recording the actual date when the objective was reached.

Goal

Targeted Finish Date

Actual Finish Date

Means to Accomplish the Goal

To prepare myself to write an eBook

Feb. 20 take the eBook Teleseminar from AwakenTheAuthorWithin.com

Feb. 18 contact 2 colleagues or friends to act as mentors

Feb. 21 write my big picture goals and share them with my mentors and others

Feb. 13 set aside on my calendar a minimum of 6 hours per week to author the book

Feb. 10 talk to my significant other about what I intend to do and why. Ask for help.

What does this format of goal writing have going for it?

1. The big picture (overall) objective is clearly articulated in very specific language.

2. A specific time/date is declared for the completion of each task. THIS IS A MUST!

3. The big picture goal is broken down into WORKING GOALS each one with a targeted completion date.

4. The working goals are also specific and dated.

5. The most important aspect of goal setting and writing is the use of ACTION VERBS to begin each of the means to accomplish the goals. Words such as take, contact, write, gather, set aside, talk...are CRUCIAL to success.

6. The goals use present tense verbs. There is "immediacy" about them!

These goals are your action plan.

Always record the 'means to accomplish' goals beginning with action verbs. The more action the better!

Include completion deadlines!

Remember:

"There is doing and not doing. There is no such thing as trying!"

You can't try to write a book. You have to do something before it really happens.

Working Goals

Let's take a closer look at working goals. These are the day to day goals leading you to completion of the bigger goal of writing an eBook.

Assume you have started the eBook Authoring Teleseminar Series from AwakenTheAuthorWithin.com and you have received the eBook, Awaken The Author Within - A Definitive Guide to eBook Authoring by Glenn Dietzel and Paul Jackson.

This is your first significant step in the authoring process. You have already begun moving toward your previous big picture goals - you are reading the book and taking the teleseminar series. Using the eBook - A Definitive Guide - as an example of a specific goal leading to completion of your eBook here is what your working goals many look like.

Goal: Read the eBook, Awaken The Author Within - A Definitive Guide to eBook Authoring

The format presented here is only one way this can be done. Do what is most appropriate for you.

Working goals require:

targeted completion date

means to accomplish the goal

actual finish date

Note: For each of these sub-goals you would establish a targeted completion date and record your actual completion date.

Notice how the sub-goals are numbered as they are actually working goals and means to accomplish the goal at the same time. A numbering system keeps you on track and allows for checking off completed tasks as well.

1. Start working with the material in the eBook - A Definitive Guide.

1.1 read the information in the preliminary notes and the eBook

1.2 download and/or print the related information from web site

1.3 re-read information and make brief notes or highlight it

2. Do the work suggested during the Teleseminar Series

2.1 become familiar with the Discussion Board on web site

2.2 post a welcome message and/or questions, comments

2.3 read or re-read two books in Part D of preliminary notes

2.4 visit web sites suggested in notes

2.5 choose and contact my team members

2.6 choose a topic and/or title of my eBook

2.7 gather together any materials readily available to begin writing

2.8 arrange to have someone type my eBook (if necessary)

2.9 begin search and recording of applicable web sites

2.10 record dates on calendar of all 5 eBook Teleseminar sessons

What do these written goals and means to accomplish them have to teach us?

The goals are:

Written in specific detail

Use action verbs

Are positively worded

Have targeted completion dates

Are specific to the bigger objective of dealing with the authoring eBook

In reality, goals are always broken down into smaller goals and smaller goals again which become the action plan for reaching your big picture goal.

They can be added to, revised, have the completion dates altered... so you successfully complete your dream.

BIG PICTURE

The overall goal of writing an eBook

To

STEPS

These are also goals but steps/stages/processes/... along the way

To

WORKING GOALS

Goals specific to each of the steps or stages

To

ACTION STATEMENTS

These are the means to accomplish the goals.

10 Steps to eBook Authoring

The 10 Steps as outlined here are representative of 10 steps/goals to reach the big picture goal of authoring and publishing an eBook. Each of these 10 steps is further broken down into working goals and then into action statements.

For each of the 10 Steps to eBook Authoring, a reflection and writing stem has been provided to get you started with some action ideas of how to accomplish the goal of completing the Step.

Step RaW Stems - Reflective and Writing Stems

I Idea

* I've always dreamed about writing a book about _____

* My experience says an eBook about _____ is needed.

* If I wrote an eBook about ____, ____ would be interested in it.

II Reflection

* My primary motivation for authoring an eBook is _____

* Additional benefits to writing it will be _____

* I have a head start on the process because _____

III Commitment

* I will discuss the eBook concept with _____

* I will seek out additional information about eBooks from _____

* I will sign up for an eBook authoring course from _____

IV Big Picture

* In general terms my eBook will be about _____

* Some of the topics covered in my eBook will be _____

* The objectives of the eBook will be to _____

V Chunking

* The general topic will have sub-topics such as _____

* The format(s) I choose to use will include _____

* In terms of portability, interactivity, and versatility I will _____

VI Writing

* The choice of word processor, font, graphics, ... will be _____

* My style of writing shall be _____

* In this part of the process, I shall seek help from _____

VII Editing

* After writing with flow and little editing I will be ready to _____

* I will use automatic spell and grammar checking as well as ____

* Since this is a time-consuming and crucial step I shall _____

VIII Publishing

* Among the choices I have for publishing I choose __ because __

* They eye appeal of my eBook is ensured by _____

* The publishing process is _____

IX Marketing

* I shall choose _____ for marketing my eBook because ____

* In addition to the primary marketer I shall ____ to sell my book.

* To track my eBook on the market I shall _____

X Celebrating

* After completion of the eBook I plan to _____

* I shall send thank-you notes and copies of my eBook to _____

* Upon reflection of the eBook authoring process I intend _____

Review your goals on a regular basis

WHY?

A progress report toward your dream

Keeps you motivated and working

Justifies the process of goal setting

Keeps you on track with your time lines

Gives you cause to celebrate

WHEN?

At regular intervals during the process [weekly, bi-weekly, monthly]

At the end of each step along the way

When you need a "boost" by seeing what you've already accomplished

When you take the time to reflect on past accomplishments

When you re-write or add goals.

HOW?

Set aside a specific time to review goals

[Sunday morning before the Sunday paper]

Write a journal note about your progress

Tell someone about what you are doing.

Then celebrate again! You can never get enough celebrating.

Establishing a method of recording your goals along with dates and means to accomplish them will ensure that you reach them. There is much that has been written about goals and goal setting. In eBook authoring, establish how you want to proceed toward your Big Picture goal of writing a book.

© 2005 Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson is an eBook author and retired Elementary School Administrator responsible for training sessions for teachers and administrators. Paul uses his educational background to help eBook authors accomplish their goal of writing and publishing a book. At http://www.ebookwritingandpublishing.com eBook Authoring Services opens the door of opportunity for anyone dreaming of leaving a written legacy of their passion in eBook format.

30 Truisms About eBook Authoring

The decision to author an eBook is a life-changing decision. The "fallout" from publishing an eBook will change forever the way you see yourself and the way others see you.

Why? That's difficult to say. But the following list of 30 Truisms gleaned from the experiences of successful eBook authors will help answer the question.

So, what are you waiting for? Read the list. Make the decision to author an eBook.

1. You will have access to a world-wide audience via the Internet 24/7 so your book store is always open. You will be amazed when you get downloads of your eBook from 100+ countries and you realize just how small the world really is.

2. You can afford to give away free updated versions of your eBook because of the low cost of making changes and the virtually free delivery system.

3. You can/must/should build a long-term relationship with your customers using email addresses supplied when your eBook is ordered. You can also use this list for communicating other offers to these same customers but never sell or give away your opt-in list.

4. Your readers are a valuable source of feedback on your current eBook if given the opportunity. You can also use their feedback, questions, concerns, and requests to get insights into what other topics need to be addressed for the same target market.

5. Communication skills are very important. You must learn how to write convincing ad and sales copy, effective eZine material, web site content and email communications. Enjoy the excitement of meeting new people all the time.

6. Being in control of the entire eBook authoring process is both a blessing and a curse. You don't have to take orders and direction from anyone else. You are totally responsible for what happens with your eBook. It's an exciting proposition.

7. eBook authoring can lead to self-employment. You can enhance current careers or start new ones. You can use your eBook as a secondary passive income or as a catalyst for an entirely new business. The possibilities are many.

8. Make your dream of writing a book come true. eBooks can fill your authoring needs within a workable time frame, with minimal financial investment, with reasonable effort and with success guaranteed.

9. You become involved in an adventure in creative writing, eBook technology, communication skills and building relationships.

10. You have the opportunity to share your expertise, passion, and knowledge with an audience that needs your help. As a bonus, you are leaving a written legacy of your experiences, wisdom and insights.

11. eBooks are the most cost efficient form of publishing available to you. Recovering your costs is guaranteed. Even if you never recover your initial financial investment, the experience of authoring a published book will still be worth it. Consider it an investment in you.

12. The friendly letter style of writing found in eBooks is conducive to the personal conversation that takes place between the author and the reader. Anyone can effectively communicate in an eBook using simple every-day language and some good planning. eBooks are not academic dissertations.

13. Because of the interactions possible between the author and the readers, it becomes a growth and learning experience for everyone. eBooks can be made as dynamic as you wish. Static standard published books don't have that option.

14. As a published eBook author, you move from the realm of anonymous individual with plenty to share and no means to do it to a measure of importance because of your expertise as a published author. "Experts" have earned that status of respect.

15. The majority of eBook authors can effectively write their book with little or no research. By "conversing" with the reader sharing what you already know and have experienced, you can fill in the details of your Table of Contents. Write - Research - Write. Write your entire book from memory. Go back and fill in the gaps with research. Then edit (re-write) to your final draft before publishing.

16. You will learn as much about yourself as you will about your topic as you complete the eBook authoring journey.

17. While marketing and selling your eBook you are also marketing and selling yourself. You are creating a Brand of both the eBook and yourself. You will be changed forever and be forever changing.

18. The passiveness of earning income from your eBook may be new for many authors. You create your eBook once (excluding revisions) then go on with your life while the eBooks sells on the Internet 24/7 using auto-responders so you can carry on doing whatever you want to do. Passive income from working once and benefiting many times over is the principle that successful entrepreneurs use to build wealth.

19. An "ordinary" person becomes an "extraordinary" person by authoring an eBook. Authoring is a transformational process. It awakens the author within you and moves you in to new personal and professional territory.

20. eBook authors feel better about themselves acquiring inner and outer confidence, better self-esteem, more worthiness, recognition for their contribution to the world, and a sense of giving back.

21. Self-employment as an eBook author brings with it tax benefits you may not otherwise have had. Expanding a business around your expert status as a published author, allows you to "profit" from the experience. You can actually use your eBook to build a full time business for now or your retirement.

22. Authors come to realize very quickly how important the attitudes, skills, and knowledge they have acquired over the years is valued. By sharing wisdom through an eBook, you gain an appreciation for education.

23. The term life-long learning takes on an entirely different meaning when you embark on your eBook authoring journey. You are living this experience not just talking about it.

24. You are doing the world a favour by meeting the needs of niche markets that are often forgotten, dismissed or ignored by the standard publishers. Standard publishers have no interest in a market of 1000 to 10,000 people. But eBooks can reach this market and be profitable doing it. And much appreciated too. Analysis of your target market is a worthwhile experience in itself.

25. eBook authors are overwhelmed by their acceptance into the targeted niche market. Relationships are built, new friends are made, and communication is opened up through eBooks.

26. The thrill of checking your emails to see how many people have purchased your eBook - while you slept or were on vacation - is one that doesn't diminish. It's like magic that 4, 16, or 40 more sales occurred over the past few days while you carried on with life. It's exciting to know that others value what you have to offer and that you are making a difference in someone's life.

27. Identifying and working with niche markets opens up new worlds of opportunities for eBook authors. Working with several related niche target markets at the same time builds reputations and expands business opportunities.

28. Using the eBook as the focus on your business you can easily expand the goods and services you offer to your clients and customers. Consider the possibilities of an expanded business: CD/DVD versions of your eBook; other eBooks; teleseminars; workshops; training programs; consulting; coaching; joint ventures; affiliate marketing; web site hosting; keynote addresses; back of the room sales; co-authoring...

29. Authoring eBooks gives authors the opportunity to measure success in terms other than financial gain. This includes: contacts with people in a more intimate fashion, marketing to the world not just your local area, exchanging ideas with like-minded individuals, expanding your horizons for personal and professional development, satisfying your interest in sharing your expertise and passion, recognition for what you can offer to others, appreciation for small business owners...

30. eBook authors are on the leading edge of a technological revolution where portable devices like eBook readers will join the myriad of other devices transforming our lives. An entire generation is growing up with portable, instant, anywhere/anytime fulfillment of their needs. eBook sales are growing by 30-50% per year and will continue to grow as eBook reading devices improve. Current technology is providing eBook devices that are about the same size as a paperback with LED screens that making reading eBooks as easy on the eyes as reading a paperback.

It all adds up to just one thing! What an experience!

What are you waiting for? Take your first step. Take a chance of a lifetime.

Author an eBook.

© 2005 Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson is a published eBook author who has worked with hundreds of eBook authors helping them reach their dream of writing a book. His experiences with writing eBooks, conducting Book Camps, hosting teleseminars, doing workshops and coaching wannabe and published authors means eBook Authoring Services at http://www.ebookwritingandpublishing.com is a good source of information for all eBook authors.