How Can I Write a Book? 

(No Time, No Money, and No Clue Where to Start?)

So, you've got a big idea bubbling in your brain and you're thinking: How can I write a book? First of all—congratulations! You're officially one step ahead of the 80% of the population who say they want to write a book but never actually take action. (You're already crushing it.) 🎉

If you're feeling overwhelmed, wondering where to start, or asking yourself how do I begin writing my first book?—you're in the right place. This fun, supportive guide will break down everything you need to know to get that book out of your head and into readers' hands. 💪 

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📝 Step 1: Decide What Kind of Book You Want to Write

Not all books are created equal. Nonfiction, fiction, memoir, how-to guides—each has its own quirks, perks, and pitfalls. 

If you're planning to write a how-to book, here’s the good news: You don’t need to be a celebrity, guru, or life-long expert. You just need to know something valuable that others want to learn.

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🗂️ Step 2: Start with a Plan (Book Template to the Rescue)

No one writes a brilliant book off the top of their head. (Not even Hemingway.) That’s where a good book template comes in. A template helps you organize your ideas, outline your chapters, and avoid the dreaded "blank page paralysis."

Need an example? Check out our free How to Write a How-To Book PDF a handy resource that will help you map out your book in less time than it takes to scroll Instagram. 📄

🚀 Pro Tip: Having a book template makes it so much easier to start, stay on track, and actually finish. (Ask me how I know.)

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🤝 Step 3: Get Support (Because You Don't Have to Do This Alone)

At some point, almost every author thinks: I need help writing a book. The good news? Help is out there.

Where can I get help to write a book?

• Join a writing group (in person or online)
• Take a writing course (Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days)
• Read a How-To Book like the bestselling  How to Write a Self-Help Book + Workbook Bundle for step-by-step guidance

Who can help write a book?

• Hire a book coach (Private 1:1 Coaching)
• Find an accountability partner or group sprints (someone who’ll check in and keep you moving.)
  We do writing sprints almost every Wednesday from 11am-1 pm ET on YouTube on
  📺 Bestselling Author Writing Coach. We'd love to see you there!

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📚 What's the Easiest Book to Write?

If you’re wondering what the easiest book to write is, the answer is simple: a how-to book. Why? Because you’re writing about something you already know—your knowledge, your experience, your unique take on how to do something people want to learn. ✅

You don’t need to invent an epic fantasy world or plot a twisty thriller. A how-to book allows you to teach, inspire, and guide your readers without the pressure of crafting elaborate stories.

Best of all? They're typically faster to write and easier to market than many other types of books. (Plus, I’ve got all the tools to help you write one fast—check out the How to Write a How-To Book + Workbook Bundle to make it even easier!)

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✏️ Can Someone with No Writing Experience Write a Book?

Absolutely! You do not need to be a professional writer, have a degree in literature, or even ace your high school English class to write a book. Many bestselling authors started with zero formal writing experience. What they did have was passion, persistence, and the courage to start. 💖

If you have an idea, a story, or a skill you want to share, you can absolutely write a book—even if you’ve never written anything longer than a grocery list. 

That’s where tools like our How to Write a How-To Book + Workbook Bundle or book coaching come in—they help you bridge the gap between "I’ve never done this before" and "Look, I’m a published author!"

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⏳ What Age Is Too Late to Start Writing?

Spoiler alert: There’s no such thing as "too late" when it comes to writing a book. 📚✨ Some of the most beloved authors started writing later in life—Frank McCourt published Angela’s Ashes at 66, and Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t publish her first Little House book until she was in her 60s. Not to mention Raymond Chandler, Annie Proulx, and numerous others.

If you have a story to tell, wisdom to share, or an idea that won’t let go—now is the perfect time to start. Your voice, your experiences, and your perspective matter. And the world is ready to hear from you, no matter what the calendar says. 💕

(And if you’d like a friendly guide to help you get started, my VIP Half-Day Coaching Session is perfect for first-time or “it’s finally time” authors.)

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🚀 Step 4: How Do I Write a Book with No Experience?

One of the biggest myths in publishing? That you need experience to write a book. Nope. Not true.

If you’re asking how do I write a book with no experience?—here’s your permission slip: You don’t need credentials to write. You just need an idea, a willingness to learn, and the commitment to keep going. 🙌

Every bestselling author started with zero experience. Nobody has experience until they write the book. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.

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💸 Step 5: How Can I Write a Book with No Money?

Let's talk dollars and sense. Publishing doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re wondering how can I write a book with no money?—good news: it’s absolutely possible.

Here’s how to write on a shoestring:

• Use free writing  and formatting tools like Google Docs
• Find free online communities for feedback
• DIY or barter your editing (at least in the early drafts)
• Learn from free writing and publishing blogs, YouTube writing and publishing videos, and podcasts

Pro tip: Investing in professional editing, design, or coaching later—once you have a draft—can help your book stand out without breaking the bank. 💡

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💸 Is Writing a Book Worth It Financially?

This is one of the most common questions I get—and it's a smart one! Is writing a book worth it financially? The answer: It depends on your goals. 💡

Writing a book can absolutely be profitable. It can create passive income, open doors for speaking gigs, grow your business, attract clients, or build your personal brand. Some authors make six or seven figures. Others use their book as a stepping stone to bigger opportunities.

For some (80% of Americans!), writing a book and getting it published is the goal itself—and it's a worthwhile one.

That said—writing a book is rarely a "get rich quick" plan. The most successful authors play the long game, build an audience, and create multiple income streams tied to their book(s). (Think: courses, coaching, speaking, masterminds, merch!)

➡️ Want to boost your odds? Check out the Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days Course or grab the How to Write a How-To Book + Workbook Bundle to set yourself up for success.

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💰 How Do First-Time Authors Get Paid?

How do first-time authors actually get paid? Great question! The answer depends on your publishing path:

👉 Traditional Publishing: You’ll likely receive an advance (a lump sum paid upfront) when you sign your contract. Once your book earns out that advance through sales, you'll also receive royalties—a percentage of each book sold. Your publisher will typically hold a reserve against returns, meaning they hold on to some of your money if bookstores order a bunch of your books and then ultimately return them. You'll typically get your advance in 2-3 installments—about 2 months after you sign your contract, after your finished manuscript is accepted by the publisher, and occasionally, the third installment on publication. (Most publishers will do 2 payments on contract signing and MS acceptance if your agent requests it in the negotiating stage.) 

Once your book comes out, you'll earn royalties on the books sold. You won't see any of that money until you've earned out (paid back) your advance. After that, you'll typically get paid twice a year. (Yep.)

👉 Self-Publishing: You earn royalties directly from platforms and distributors like Amazon KDP, Apple Books, or IngramSpark. Royalty rates for self-publishing are typically higher (sometimes 60–70%), but you’ll be responsible for upfront costs like editing, cover design, and formatting. There's typically about a 60-day delay across the board from the time a customer buys your book to the time the money lands in your bank account, and you'll generally get paid once a month from these platforms including Amazon.

💡 Pro Tip: A well-marketed self-published book can earn just as much—or more—than a traditionally published one. If you're earning 2X or 3X the royalties, you have to sell a lot fewer books to earn the same amount.

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📖 Step 6: How Do You Get Your Writing Published?

Here’s the million-dollar question: how do you get your writing published?

You have two main options:

Traditional Publishing

• Requires a literary agent (we’ll cover getting a literary agent below)
• Publisher pays you an advance + royalties
• Publisher handles editing, cover, and distribution
• Author is still responsible for the lion's share of marketing, although you will have an overworked in-house publicist who will do what we call the "spray and pray", meaning they'll digitally send out the book to a bunch of reviewers and and hope it gets some coverage because media follow-up is incredibly labor-intensive and most in-house PRs just don't have the hours available to do it.
  
  👍 NOTE: I'm a former in-house Director of Publicity for a traditional publisher.

Self-Publishing

• You’re the boss (and keep more of the profits)
• You handle (or hire out) editing, design, and marketing
• You publish on platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, etc.

Both paths have pros and cons, but the best route is the one that matches your goals. 🌟

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📨 Step 7: Getting a Literary Agent

If your dream is a traditional publishing deal, you'll likely need a literary agent. Agents are the gatekeepers who pitch your book to publishers and negotiate deals.

To get an agent:

1. Write a killer query letter ✍️
2. Craft a polished book proposal (especially for nonfiction)
3. Research agents who represent your genre using Publishers Marketplace
4. Follow the agent's submission guidelines TO THE LETTER, submit, and (patiently) wait 🕰️

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🛠️ Step 8: How to Get an ISBN Number & Self-Publishing Tips

If you're going the self-publishing route, here’s your starter checklist:

• Write and edit your book (professional editing = key)
• Design a pro-level cover (most ugly covers and covers that don't meet reader expectations don’t sell)
• Format for print and ebook (Book Formatting Services)
• Get an ISBN number (you can buy your own or use a free one from Amazon KDP)
• Upload to platforms like KDP, Apple Books, B&N Press, and Ingram Spark

📌 Wondering how to get an ISBN number? You can buy one from Bowker (ISBN.org) or use the free ones on Amazon or other POD services. Buying your own gives you more control over your publishing imprint. 🏷️

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📢 Step 9: How Can I Write a Book and Get It Published? (Marketing 101)

Writing your book is the first big step—but how do you actually get it out into the world (and make it sell)? Here’s your simplified roadmap:

🖋️ Write Your Book:

• You can DIY it, get help with my:
•  Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days Course, 
• one-on-one book coaching, 
• or start with free resources like my YouTube channel.
  
  Whatever works for you—just start writing!

🏗️ Choose Your Publishing Path:

1️⃣ Traditional Publishing:

• Write a book proposal (especially for nonfiction) and polish your manuscript.
• Send out query letters to literary agents.
• Once you land an agent, they’ll shop your book to publishers.
• Be prepared: you may need to revise your manuscript or proposal to make it more marketable.
• It will take between 12-24 months from contract to publication

✅ Pros: Advance payments, professional editing, distribution.
❌ Cons: Slow timeline, less control, lower royalties.

2️⃣ Hybrid Publishing:

• A middle ground where you pay for services but get professional production and sometimes bookstore distribution.

✅ Pros: Pro production, wider reach.
❌ Cons: Upfront costs.

3️⃣ Self-Publishing:

• Write your book, hire professional editing, design a killer cover, and format your book (need help?).
• Decide on your formats: ebook, paperback, hardcover, audiobook.
• Buy an ISBN (or use a free one from IngramSpark or Amazon KDP).
• Upload your preorder to distributors like KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, or Draft2Digital.
• Create and execute your book launch plan.
• Start earning royalties!

✅ Pros: Full creative control, faster timeline, higher royalties.
❌ Cons: You handle (or hire) everything.

Want help with all of the above? That’s exactly what I’m here for. 🙌

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🆘 Step 10: Where Can I Get Help to Write a Book?

Whether you’re just starting out or halfway through your manuscript and stuck, you never have to go it alone. From DIY guides to full-on book coaching, there’s help every step of the way.

If you’re asking:

• Where can I get help to write a book?
• Who can help write a book?
• How can I write a book and get it published?

I’ve got you covered. Explore Book Coaching, grab our write a how-to book Book + Workbook Bundle, or start with the Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days Course.

Plus, I cover a TON of writing and publishing questions over on our YouTube writing and publishing channel, 📺 Bestselling Author Writing Coach. If you've got questions, check it out!

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💬 Final Thoughts from Your Book Coach

If you're asking how do I begin writing my first book? or how do I write a book with no experience?—remember: every author starts somewhere. Every big dream begins with a first step.

You don’t need permission, a trust fund, or decades of experience. All you need is to start.

And if you need a cheerleader, coach, or just someone to tell you yes, you can do this—I'm right here. (I’ll even bring the coffee. ☕)

👉 Ready to write your book? Check out our Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days Course, grab the How to Write a How-To Book + Workbook Bundle, or book a free coaching consultation to get started.

Because the world needs your story—and I can't wait to help you tell it. 💖

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