How To Write An eBook That Works

By guest author Suzan St Maur

PROBLEM
I want to write an eBook how do I make it work well?

SOLUTION
Understand the differences between eBooks and print books

Many people these days write an eBook to promote their business. Being a published author is a great way to impress clients that you know what you’re talking about. It also offers a number of other PR benefits, as you know.

But you may also want to write about your hobby or interest, and become a published author for your own non-business reasons. Here are my comments on how to go about writing and putting an eBook together, whatever its subject.

How an eBook will be read an important writing consideration

The first and most important issue you need to consider when writing an eBook is that, in the first instance at least, it will be read from a screen. OK, often people will print out an eBook to read later, but that needs to be a secondary consideration from your point of view.

Here it’s worth remembering the findings of the world-acclaimed web expert Dr Jakob Nielsen (www.useit.com.) For starters, 79% of online readers don’t read they scan. What it means is that your eBook content should be put together so readers can pick up on key points and get the gist of your content while scrolling and scanning. If those key points are interesting enough, readers will go back for the details later.

Secondly, Dr Nielsen has calculated that when people read from a screen they do so at a rate 25% slower than they read print on a paper page. That is because, despite high-resolution screens and all the other technological wizardry, on-screen text is harder to read. For this reason your eBook content needs to be more concise than it might be for a printed book.

Some experts say screen text should be just half the length of its paper equivalent. Whereas that may be absolutely true of text on websites and in emails, I think probably you can get away with a little more in an eBook. But not much more.

The key writing factors to bear in mind

Firstly, go with the flow of the physical restrictions of screen-based reading and write so you minimize their effect. Also, create your text so it works well for scanners (people who scan, that is) by highlighting key points in bold – not italics or underline because people think those are links.

Secondly, ensure that you observe the golden rules of online writing in your text.

This is essentially what differentiates the way to write eBooks from the way to write print books (although some print books would benefit a lot from observing these tips, too.)

• Use direct, unfancy English with plenty of action verbs
• Avoid using jargon unless you’re certain your readers will understand it
• Write from “me” to “you,” informally online communications are very personal. Formal or old-fashioned writing styles make you and your topic seem remote and frigid
• Cut back on adjectives and adverbs unless they really contribute something
• Keep your sentences short with only one main idea in each
• Make your paragraphs short, too, with no more than three or four sentences in each
• Ensure that one sentence flows logically into the next
• Also ensure that one paragraph/section/chapter flows logically into the next

Why these differences?

When you’re writing eBook text or in fact anything that will be delivered and read from a screen, it’s important to respect the close relationship people have with those screens. Paper-based communications (for some reason a psychologist could probably tell us why!) just do not seem to inspire such a personal affinity with the reader.

So with your eBook you need to write as if your text has been personally invited in by the reader. Knock before entering, then be the perfect guest. Be direct, don’t waste their time, but remember to say please and thank you. Then leave before you’ve worn out your welcome. That’s the way to ensure not only that you make a good impression, but also that you’ll get invited back!

Presentation of your eBook

As I’ve said, people either read eBooks on a screen or print them out on single sides of A4 or similar paper. For convenience as well as ease of on-screen reading, eBooks shouldn’t be as long as printed books. 200 pages or more of A4 or similar paper adds up to a lot of bulk books of this length are more convenient as printed paperbacks.)

I don’t think there is any such thing as the “ideal length” for an eBook. I’ve done three now with two more on the way. The shortest was about 25,000 words and the longest will be about 40,000. For comparison’s sake, a thin paperback printed book will run to around 50,000 words, and a heavy novel anywhere up to 200,000!!

For the sake of people reading from a screen, you should set up the text in a largish, eye-friendly font Times New Roman 14 pt is good. Use color as punctuation, but remember not to count on it heavily as people printing the e-book out in a single color may not benefit. Use illustrations sparingly, for the same reason.

More information if you need it

As I suggested and plugged above I have written an eBook called “Get Yourself Published” which goes into the whys and wherefores of how to get a book (either print or eBook) published, how to sell a book proposal to a publisher, advice on how to go about writing your book, plus examples of (successful) book proposals, publishing contracts, and numerous other resources. You’ll find that here:

If you want more specific coaching to get a book (print or eBook) written, I can recommend an excellent author coach who will work with you on a 1-on-1 basis:

1. Jo Parfitt – The Book Cook
   www.summertimepublishing.com
2. Tracey Lawton
   www.traceylawton.com

Good luck … and if you are thinking of writing an eBook, don’t hesitate to give me an eShout. I will gladly advise you if I can, and refer you on to other people who can provide more specialised help.

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