Creating Your First Novel by Hank Quense

 

“Creating a novel is an awesome achievement, but it isn’t achieved without a lot of effort . . . ”

From Creating Your First Novel by Hank Quense

 

Creating Your First Novel is the third book of Hank Quense’s I’ve read and reviewed in as many months.  Joining Self-Publish a Book in 10 Steps and Creating Stories, it produces a trifecta of important information for the new writer. 

Creating Your First Novel is more the nuts and bolts of the trade of being a writer versus the inspiration aspect of being a writer.  There is a section on the planning of your book, constructing a plot, and writing but for a more in-depth look at the writing itself, Creating Stories is an excellent resource.  This part of Mr. Quense’s author ecosystem, as he terms it, is dedicated to the business of being a writer.  And yes, it is indeed a business.

 

Mr. Quense discusses everything from ebooks and their markets (Kindle or Draft2Digital?) to print books and audio books and profit and loss and how to keep track of payments and revenue.  This is all tied up with a section on budgeting - don’t forget your book cover, editing and formatting, and marketing - which will include book tours, your author website, social media ads, and a publicist.  Should you start your own publishing company?  Mr. Quense highlights the good and bad that comes with that, as well as an overview of traditional publishing versus self-publishing.  He shares his own knowledge and contacts with book covers and design and packagers, as well as the all-important book blurb, synopsis and description to get your book noticed.

 

Finally, Creating Your First Novel is wrapped up with a section on determining the price of your book and marketing strategies, including the use of social media, to get your book in front of the right readers. 

Yes, it sounds overwhelming - especially if you think your only job is to just write the book- but Mr. Quense lays it all out neatly, concisely and in easy to digest sections.  Like his previous books, this one is well worth an author’s time.

I received a copy of Creating Your First Novel in exchange for an honest review.  I was neither paid nor compensated for my review. The provision of the book had no outcome on my opinions in this review. 

About the Author

Hank Quense has self-published his books for over 12 years.  His non-fiction books cover fiction writing (Creating Stories), self-publishing (How to Self-Publish and Market a Book, Self-Publish a Book in 10 Steps and Market It!), marketing (Book Marketing Fundamentals), and author business (Business Basics for Authors).

He also lectures on these subjects in schools, libraries, and on webinars.

Hank recently started https://hankquense.podia.com/  The site provides solutions to pain points (problems) for fiction writers, self-publishing authors and authors who are trying to market their books.

Connect with Hank on his website, Twitter (X), Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, BookBub, and Goodreads.

Win a Copy of Creating Your First Novel - Enter the Giveaway! 

Thank you to iRead Book Tours for scheduling What the Book! as a stop on this tour!