Free course
How to write a book
A practical, no-nonsense course for first-time authors. Read the chapters in order, or jump to what you need today. It is free, and it always will be.
- 1Why you should write your bookEveryone has one book inside them. Here is why yours matters and why now is the right time to start.
- 2Start before you feel readyThe first chapter of the free "How to write a book" course — why waiting to feel ready is the one thing that keeps most books unwritten.
- 3Finding and testing your book ideaHow to choose one idea from the many in your head, and how to check it is strong enough to carry a whole book.
- 4Write for one readerA book written for everyone reaches no one. Choose the single person you are writing to.
- 5Building a daily writing habitBooks are not written in bursts of inspiration. They are written in small, boring, repeated sessions. Here is how to build yours.
- 6Structuring your book into chaptersA simple method to turn one big idea into an outline of chapters you can actually follow.
- 7Writing the first draftThe rules of drafting: keep moving, keep it ugly, and get to the end before you fix anything.
- 8Editing your book without losing your mindA calm, three-pass system for turning your rough draft into a clean book readers will enjoy.
- 9Titles, covers and book descriptionsYour book gets judged in three seconds. Make the title, cover and description do their job.
- 10Publishing your bookEbook, paperback, and the platforms that put your book in front of the world, without a publisher gatekeeping you.
- 11Finding readers, and what comes nextA book without readers is a diary. Simple, honest ways to get your book into the right hands, and how to think about book two.
Ready to start yours?
Vicky personally mentors first-time authors for free. Tell him about your book idea.
Apply for free mentorship