If you are an expert in your field and you see a need, you may want to write your own textbook. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Market Research
Depending on the scope of your project, you will likely want to spend a significant amount of time doing some market research to see if there is a gap or a niche that your book might fill. It would be well worth your while to conduct informational interviews with teachers or professors in your field to gauge the marketability of your book, what it is they find lacking in their current materials, and what they might be looking for.
If, on the other hand, you are simply looking to compile some materials for your own class in book form, you may still want to investigate the marketability of the type of book you are putting together. There is always the chance that, if you are experiencing a lack, there are others in your field who are as well. While this may take more effort than you had originally planned, it may be a possibility worth investigating.
Write A Book Proposal
It is always a good idea to start contacting potential publishers before you stat to do the heavy lifting. To get their attention, you will need to write a compelling book proposal. In this document, start with a paragraph or two about what your book is intended to accomplish. Then tell you potential publisher why you are the person to write or compile this book. Feel free to tell them any experience you have as a writer, and as an expert in your field. If you intend to work with a professional writer, tell about that person s experience.
Then you can include the market research you have done (however informal) and make the to your potential publisher case for the niche in question needing to be filled. If there are already successful books that touch on your subject, feel free to tell them how your book will be better, and be as specific as you can while keeping things relatively brief this is not the time for big promises and hyperbole.
Writing The Book
Use outlines to map out your book s progression, and start to fill in from there. If you get stuck, remember that in this stage you don t have to worry about being perfect and writing your book from beginning to end.
When writing a textbook, you will want to make it easy for your teachers to use. To that end, be sure to include a lot of charts, graphs, reviews, quizzes, and other activities that enhance your curriculum. Use your experience as a teacher to make your book one that you would want to use in your own classroom.
Though it should go without saying, we re going to say it: get someone you trust to help you proofread your book so it is free of and spelling and grammar errors. There is nothing worse than a textbook that is rife with typos.
Binding Your Book
This section is for the self publishers out there. If you are creating a book that you only intend to use in your own classes, and you are a bit of a do it yourself er, you should be aware that the machines that do hardcover and softcover binding are both inexpensive and easy to use. Known as thermal binding, this method creates books that are bookstore quality in a matter of minutes, and can be used by anyone.
Author Resource:-
Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for http://www.mybinding.com .He has written over 500 articles on binding machines,binding covers,binders,laminators,binding supplies,laminating supplies,paper handling equipments,index tabs, and shredders.
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