Writing Nonfiction|Writers Conference Guidelines

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Writing Nonfiction

Tips to Making Your Nonfiction Great
Nonfiction Writing Resources on the Web

Tips to Making Your Nonfiction Great

“A common mistake in nonfiction books, is not researching first to see what's already been written or to see what the competition is. Is there really a market for your book?” - Sally Stuart, Christian Writers' Market Guide, www.stuartmarket.com

	I write fiction and here's what I found in most of the non-fiction books I took from my shelves... bookmarks about three chapters in. In other words, I quit reading most of the books fairly early. (To those of you who write non-fiction: Sorry~!) I've given this "phenomenon" some thought and here's what I've concluded: As a fiction writer (and reader) I count on the plot and characterization to keep me turning pages. Many non-fiction books start out with a "story," but then turn to facts-and-figures and 'statistics,' and that's where they lose me. As a non-fiction writer, if you are trying to attract a broader audience, I'd keep people like me in mind. Catch me with a story... and keep me with a story. Slip in the "facts" as unobtrusively as possible. My three cents. - Roxy Henke

“Books aren't written, they are re-written. Read widely, research your topic, write, review, revise, and restructure. Don't think you can create a good book without hard work - you can't.” - Chip MacGregor, Publisher, Time Warner

Judy Collins, a book coach, suggests. “Write a book that people need and want. People want how-to books; they want skills. It's best to see the need and fill it rather than have an idea-then look for an audience.”

When writing a nonfiction book, find your unique hook or slant that will set your book apart from what has already been written on the topic.

“The question of what makes a good book is a very large question and it's also an easy question to answer. A good book is a book that people want. How do you make a book that people want? You give them information that they need, that they are asking for, whether its a story in the form of fiction, mystery, collection of poetry, a western, or whether or not it's in a business book.” - Marcella Smith, Small Business Manager, Barnes & Noble

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Pikes Peak Writers Conference

April 29 - May 1, 2011
Faculty for suspense, mystery, horror, thriller, romance, western, inspirational,, Christian, childrens, YA, literary fiction, and more

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