Each year, hundreds of thousands of new book titles are published, with self-published titles growing exponentially. In fact, the number of self-published books produced annually in the U.S. has nearly tripled, growing 287 percent since 2006, totaling more than 235,000 print and “e” titles, according to an October 2012 analysis of data from Bowker^® Books In Print and Bowker^® Identifier Services.

Bowker, the official U.S. agency that issues International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN), reports that “2011’s 148,424 self-published print books represented about 43 percent of that year’s total traditional print output and contributed to the first significant expansion in print production since 2007.”

One promising pronouncement that could be gleaned from this data is that people are still reading books. This is good news for aspiring authors, those who have dreamed for years of publishing their story and sharing their knowledge with the masses. Yet many would-be authors keep their publishing dreams on the shelf, due to a number of reasons according to author’s coach and mentor, Anita Paul of WriteYourLife.net. 

“One of the main reasons people never finish writing their book is because they don’t have the time,” says Paul, known in Atlanta’s literary circles as The Author’s Midwife. “In addition, many aspiring authors don’t know how to organize their thoughts, outline their book, turn their amazing ideas into compelling content, and they do not understand the process of publishing,” Paul adds.

Having assisted numerous authors achieve their publishing goals, Paul has created a system to help write a book in 90 days or less. Her process walks writers through what is needed to complete the first draft of their manuscript within three months and have it ready to turn over to a professional copy editor. 

“Writing a book isn’t rocket science,” she says. “It takes commitment, focus, and a willingness to write what you know.”

To help hopeful authors move beyond wishing to writing and actually completing their books, Paul will host a workshop titled “Get Off Your ASSets! Write Your Book” on Saturday, February 9th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at The BizLynks Center in Duluth, GA. The session is designed for authors at various stages of content development. Paul says authors will walk away with not only  a clearer understanding of how to get started writing, but also with strategies to fund their book project, sell more books, and leverage their book for broader success.

To register for the event, visit http://www.writeyourlife.net/events. 

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