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Tips for writing a management book

Submitted by Adrian Gaskell MCMI on Thu, 04/03/2010 - 16:05
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Today sees the launch of the CMI/British Library Management Book of the Year competition, and Tim Harford, the acclaimed Undercover Economist has given 5 tips for writing a non-fiction book.

  1. Get up early
  2. Read alot from people whose ideas you value
  3. Read people whose style you admire
  4. Keep momentum going and do something every day
  5. Write quickly but expect to do lots of rewriting

I know some of our members have written management books.  What do you think of the list?  Do you have any other tips to add?

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Comments

Submitted by on Tue, 09/03/2010 - 09:28

Assuming you can write and have a good book then:

  1. How many people are going to buy your book? Where are they? What is a profitable number?
  2. What is unique about it?
  3. Why will a publisher be interested?
  4. Prepare a business plan (and sales plan) for the publisher
  5. Prepare contents and a sample chapter for the publisher
  6. Choose your publisher carefully
  7. Consider whether you really need an agent. Many people do not use agents for management books but go directly to a publisher
  8. Once the publishers have agreed in principal they will probably offer you a contract and give you deadlines for completion. They will also tell you how you should format the work and possibly give guidance on copyright law
  9. Submit the completed work on time. Review and edit.
  10. Finally - help the publisher sell the book  

Finally Finally - this might seem obvious - back everything up!   Clive Marsh Author - 'Mastering Financial Management, Clive Marsh, Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2009'