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Creating Your First Novel: A comprehensive guide spanning the entire long-term project: from planning through marketing and starting your author business.
Are you writing your first book? Or are you thinking about writing it?
Do you have any idea what you’re getting into?
No? Let’s talk about it
Most aspiring authors concentrate on writing the book to the exclusion of all else. However, the reality is that creating a book is a long-term, multi-phase project and writing it is only one facet of the project.
The complete project involves five separate
Planning the bookWriting the bookPublishing the bookMarketing the bookAuthor business issuesUnfortunately, planning and writing a book does nothing to prepare the author for the other phases of the project. The only commonality between the phases is that they are about a single book.
Another difficulty with the creative project is that almost all information on the process only discusses one phase of it.
Until now. Creating Your First Book covers all five phases. It is written by an author who has gone through the project over two dozen times.
Creating Your First Book provides a road map to get you through the process without losing your sanity.
Do you have any idea what you’re getting into?
No? Let’s talk about it
Most aspiring authors concentrate on writing the book to the exclusion of all else. However, the reality is that creating a book is a long-term, multi-phase project and writing it is only one facet of the project.
The complete project involves five separate
Planning the bookWriting the bookPublishing the bookMarketing the bookAuthor business issuesUnfortunately, planning and writing a book does nothing to prepare the author for the other phases of the project. The only commonality between the phases is that they are about a single book.
Another difficulty with the creative project is that almost all information on the process only discusses one phase of it.
Until now. Creating Your First Book covers all five phases. It is written by an author who has gone through the project over two dozen times.
Creating Your First Book provides a road map to get you through the process without losing your sanity.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2023
4 people are currently reading
About the author
Hank Quense
84 books227 followersHank Quense writes satirical fantasy and sci-fi.
Early in his writing career, he was strongly influenced by two authors: Douglas Adams and his Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. Happily, Hank has never quite recovered from those experiences.
He runs a self-publishing and book marketing service, where he coaches new and seasoned writers—whether you’re just polishing your first draft or sweating over your book’s launch. If you have questions about getting your book out into the world or making it actually sell, hank is always happy to share what he's learned.
Besides writing novels, nonfiction books and coaching, Hank lectures on fiction writing, publishing and book marketing.
.He has two daughters and five grandchildren all of whom live close by.
For vacations, Hank usually visit distant parts of the galaxy. Occasionally, he also time-travels.
Early in his writing career, he was strongly influenced by two authors: Douglas Adams and his Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. Happily, Hank has never quite recovered from those experiences.
He runs a self-publishing and book marketing service, where he coaches new and seasoned writers—whether you’re just polishing your first draft or sweating over your book’s launch. If you have questions about getting your book out into the world or making it actually sell, hank is always happy to share what he's learned.
Besides writing novels, nonfiction books and coaching, Hank lectures on fiction writing, publishing and book marketing.
.He has two daughters and five grandchildren all of whom live close by.
For vacations, Hank usually visit distant parts of the galaxy. Occasionally, he also time-travels.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 5, 2023
This is a great beginning book for a new author who is looking to either self-publish a book or publish through a book publishing company.
There are many thought-provoking sections of this book that someone who knows nothing about books and how to write them, may find very useful in the writing of a short story. There are also assignments written into the book by the author to facilitate practice of writing, which I feel was a good way to go with helping someone learn how to write their first novel.
I did find that the book's title "Creating Your First Novel.." led me to believe that this book was more about writing your first novel, when I first picked this book up. It also says it is a comprehensive guide as well y'all, I can not agree with that statement as I have read some other creating your first books out there. For those interested , I found that this book is about 1/3 about writing the novel and the rest is about publishing, starting your authoring business.
I would say for someone who wants to read more about the author business side of writing your first book and afterwards, this is a good read for that!
There are many thought-provoking sections of this book that someone who knows nothing about books and how to write them, may find very useful in the writing of a short story. There are also assignments written into the book by the author to facilitate practice of writing, which I feel was a good way to go with helping someone learn how to write their first novel.
I did find that the book's title "Creating Your First Novel.." led me to believe that this book was more about writing your first novel, when I first picked this book up. It also says it is a comprehensive guide as well y'all, I can not agree with that statement as I have read some other creating your first books out there. For those interested , I found that this book is about 1/3 about writing the novel and the rest is about publishing, starting your authoring business.
I would say for someone who wants to read more about the author business side of writing your first book and afterwards, this is a good read for that!
September 4, 2025
A writer's bible
I have often contemplated writing a novel or memoir, but it seems overwhelming. Hank Quense takes budding authors from initial ideas through marketing in this book.
The initial section covers all aspects of writing both fiction and nonfiction, from character development to plots and subplots. It is filled with exercises to help writers put into practice each aspect of writing a book.
He then goes into the business of writing, which many creative types gloss over, causing financial issues in the long run.
Finally, he addresses the marketing aspect of writing.
Throughout this book, there are helpful links to access additional info, providing writers with virtually everything they need for their writing projects from start to finish.
This is a must-read for all budding professional writers. Even if writing is just a hobby, the first part of this book will help you sketch out your story and develop good writing habits.
I have often contemplated writing a novel or memoir, but it seems overwhelming. Hank Quense takes budding authors from initial ideas through marketing in this book.
The initial section covers all aspects of writing both fiction and nonfiction, from character development to plots and subplots. It is filled with exercises to help writers put into practice each aspect of writing a book.
He then goes into the business of writing, which many creative types gloss over, causing financial issues in the long run.
Finally, he addresses the marketing aspect of writing.
Throughout this book, there are helpful links to access additional info, providing writers with virtually everything they need for their writing projects from start to finish.
This is a must-read for all budding professional writers. Even if writing is just a hobby, the first part of this book will help you sketch out your story and develop good writing habits.
December 16, 2023
Hank Quense is an award-winning author so he knows his business when it comes to creating novels. Whether you are a novice or intermediate author, there is something for you in this comprehensive guide.
Quense breaks the process down into 5 phases and provides detailed information about each phase. Beginning authors will want to start at the beginning and work their way step-by-step through the phases, taking to heart the advice Quense provides. More experienced authors may be able to pick and choose the parts of the book that they struggle most with although it would probably be a good refresher to read the book from cover to cover.
The first section of the book could easily be used as a textbook for a writing course at the high school or college level. There are 13 lessons which come with assignments. It could also be used as a self-study course.
As an aspiring author myself, I will be referring to this book again as I work on my own writing.
Creating Your First Novel is written for the adult audience but it could find its way into a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for high schoolers.
I received a complimentary copy of Creating Your First Novel. This is my honest review.
Quense breaks the process down into 5 phases and provides detailed information about each phase. Beginning authors will want to start at the beginning and work their way step-by-step through the phases, taking to heart the advice Quense provides. More experienced authors may be able to pick and choose the parts of the book that they struggle most with although it would probably be a good refresher to read the book from cover to cover.
The first section of the book could easily be used as a textbook for a writing course at the high school or college level. There are 13 lessons which come with assignments. It could also be used as a self-study course.
As an aspiring author myself, I will be referring to this book again as I work on my own writing.
Creating Your First Novel is written for the adult audience but it could find its way into a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for high schoolers.
I received a complimentary copy of Creating Your First Novel. This is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews