How to Write a Faith-Based Book
What you'll learn
- The four-step process essential to writing any book
- The three options for publishing
- Ten ways to make money with book writing
- How to write an effective book proposal
- How to turn existing content such as sermons and classes into a book
- Step-by-step advice and worksheets to take your book from idea to publication
- Strategies for developing content
- Tips for becoming a better writer
- The parts of a book, from copyright page to epilogue
Requirements
- Basic writing skills
- Access to Microsoft Word or similar (for lecture worksheets)
Description
Do you have a message you dream of sharing with others, something that could become a life-changing book?
A challenge you overcame
A truth that changed your life
A weakness or fear you conquered
A sermon series you preached
A Bible study you taught
A small-group curriculum you developed
A process you use to achieve success
A skill or ability you want to help others achieve
A life story you believe will inspire others
If so, this course is designed for you. Whether your book is intended for religious or secular audiences, you’ll benefit from dozens of in-depth, content-rich lessons, worksheets, and resources that cover every stage of the book writing experience.
Nearly fifteen hours of information-packed videos cover in detail the four-part book strategy that will take you from book idea to finished manuscript. The included worksheets will walk you step-by-step through the process, and by the time you have finished the course, you'll have your entire book planned out, your chapter summaries created, your first chapter written, and a clear roadmap defined for the rest of the journey.
Additional downloadable resources include a book proposal template, a book plan template, an endorsement tracker, a guide to making money with books, ways to discover great book ideas, and more.
Along the way, you'll receive an overview of the writing and publishing process, filled with real-world advice and best practices gained from nearly fifteen years' experience in the publishing world.
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COURSE SUMMARY
Section 1 provides an overview of book writing, including common misconceptions and roadblocks that can sabotage you before you even get started.
Section 2 explores your book idea. How do you find and develop ideas? How do you know if you have a good idea? How can you tailor your idea to your audience? What do you, as the author, bring to the book and the conversation?
Section 3 helps you develop your book plan. This is where things get real. You’ll learn how to craft a book that effectively communicates your message to your audience, and you’ll make key decisions about your book that will guide the rest of your journey.
Section 4 teaches you how to craft a book outline. This is where you brainstorm, gather, and organize your content into a solid chapter outline. Your book truly takes shape in this step, as you decide what content to include and how to structure that content to best communicate your message.
Section 5 guides you through creating book content. This is the writing process itself. You’ll learn strategies and principles to write well, and you’ll write your first chapter. By the time you finish this section, you'll be on track to finish your entire book, chapter by chapter, following your book plan and outline.
Section 6 points you toward the future. Why is editing important, and what kinds of editing can help you? What are your publishing options? How do you distribute your book? How do you market and sell it? What financial and legal issues should you be aware of? This broad overview of the publishing process introduces you to the essential issues you'll encounter as you write and launch your book.
Who this course is for:
- First-time authors or previously published authors who want to write books that help people
- Individuals from any faith background who have an uplifting message to share
- Leaders in non-profit, social justice, or leadership spheres who believe a book could increase their effectiveness
- Pastors or other spiritual leaders who would like to expand their influence by writing a book
Instructor
- 4.9 Instructor Rating
- 192 Reviews
- 973 Students
- 1 Course
I am a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and the writer or editor of dozens of non-fiction books. Since 2006, I have been a professional writer for many influential figures in faith-based contexts, as well as authors in the educational, business, and social justice spheres. I love books of all kinds and genres, but I am especially passionate about writing books that help people through the communication of knowledge and experience.
I am the owner and director of Jaquith Creative, a creative and writing company, and Grafo House Publishing, an independent publishing house. My wife and I are lead pastors of The House, a church we founded in Guadalajara, Mexico; owners of the social enterprise The House Café, also in Guadalajara; and directors of the social nonprofit The House Mexico, a US-based 501(c)3 organization which focuses on community aid and relief efforts in Mexico.
I received my bachelor's in theology from Portland Bible College in 1999. I currently reside in the beautiful city of Guadalajara, Mexico, with my wife, Angela, and our three children. My passions are family, spirituality, books, and coffee, but not necessarily in that order, especially early in the morning. In my spare time, I roast coffee, sample tequila, and tinker on a treehouse I am building for my kids that has taken on a life of its own and now haunts my dreams.