Nonfiction Ideas

Start simple, and record all of your ideas in the “Master Ideas” section.  In the beginning, make it your goal to capture ideas first and worry about organizing them later.  Use the “Notes” section to record any ideas that pop in your mind as you are brainstorming or searching for ideas.  You never know – you may be able to use it somewhere down the line.

Always be prepared to record your ideas.  A great idea may occur to you at any time and in the most unlikely of circumstances.  It is a good idea to invest in a pocket sized notepad and keep it with you at all times.  If you don’t feel like keeping it on you, at least keep it close or keep something such as a piece of paper, matchbook, receipt, etc. with you.  Whatever you choose, if an idea comes to mind be sure to WRITE IT DOWN!  It may seem like a “so so” idea, or it may be a brilliant idea.  Don’t judge your ideas yet.  Write them down and transfer them to your main notebook later.

If you don’t care to use a notebook to record your ideas, you may favor using your computer.  This is perfectly fine.  Just be sure to print out your ideas so you have a backup in case your computer crashes or some other disaster occurs.  You could make things really simple and use your favorite text editor and perhaps have individual files for each category of ideas.  Make one file for your master idea list, another file for your favorite ideas, etc.

There are some idea organization programs available for your PC or Macintosh that you may want to try.  Go to www.download.com and use search terms such as “organize thoughts” or “brainstorm” or see the Appendix in the back of this book for a complete list of idea organizing software applications.

Other things you can do include emailing yourself an idea when it comes to mind or even calling your self and leaving a voice mail.  You might also use a PDA.  If you don’t like the little tiny notebook, consider using 3 x 5 index cards.  Many cell phones have the capability for you to record voice memos.  Cell phones are a handy alternative as you are likely carrying it with you wherever you go.

There are also quite a few micro cassette and digital audio recorders you can use to record your ideas.  These are great as you can record many ideas and can also do so when driving or are on the go and don’t want to take the time to write your idea down.

Regardless of what you choose, be sure to have something on you so you will be ready when that million dollar book idea pops in your head.  If you fail to write or record your idea while it is still fresh, you might forget it even if it is a great idea.

When you record your ideas, do not critique them.  Write down any and all ideas no matter how silly or obscure they may seem.  You can weed out the bad ideas later.  Record thoughts that are not actual ideas, but relate to your writing/publishing project in your “Notes” section of your notebook.

If you find an interesting picture that you want to include in your notebook, by all means use it.  There are no rules to your notebook – do whatever you want with it.  Do whatever you can do to get good ideas.

Keep an ongoing idea list of anything and everything you can conceive of.  Do not judge.  One idea may spawn another idea; two ideas together may make you think of another.  Fill that notebook up and you can select the good ideas from the bad ideas later.  For now, you only have to come up with ideas you could or might write.

Another thing you can try is to bring a blank notebook and pen and go to an isolated place.  Go somewhere where there are no people or distractions.  When you get out of your house or office and leave your cell phone in your car you burn your bridges to things that might otherwise distract you.  When a thought or idea comes to mind, write it down.  Free associate and again, one idea may lead to another.  When you get away from all of your potential distractions you’ll be amazed at how well you can focus, clear your head and see the big picture and get better ideas.

Again, always be prepared for ideas.  Write them down; speak them into your recorder.  An idea not recorded may be lost forever.  Ideas may occur at any time and any place.  Be prepared!

When you begin searching for nonfiction book ideas, keep an open mind and investigate every possible idea source you find.  Never turn your back on a potential idea source without investigating it further.  Who knows?  Your next big idea could come while browsing the library, taking your dog for a walk or while playing poker.

Now that you have your idea notebook and other idea collecting tools ready, it’s time for the fun to begin.  It’s time to begin your search for nonfiction book ideas - that sell!

Before you begin your adventure in finding nonfiction book ideas that sell, you will need a few tools to record your ideas.  Purchase a three ring binder and some ruled notebook paper to build your nonfiction book idea notebook.  Get some tabbed dividers so you can categorize your ideas and keep them well organized.

Start with a few categories such as: Master Ideas, Favorite Ideas, Notes and specific categories that relate to your expertise or interest.  Examples of specific categories could include Gardening, Wine, Collectible Toys, Cats, Football, etc.  By breaking your notebook into subjects like this you will be able to focus more creative energy and increase the likelihood of generating more, specific and better nonfiction book ideas.

As you begin to apply the tips and techniques outlined in this book, you will soon have a better idea of what specific categories will best suit you and your nonfiction book idea notebook.

Every year there are thousands of new nonfiction books published in every conceivable subject area.  Millionaires are sometimes made with a single book.  A successful book can lead to another successful book which can lead to a whole series of books.  There are thousands of subjects to write about and thousands of markets to sell your books to.  The best thing of all is that every one of these books start out simple – as an idea.

The idea for this book came to me as I noticed many books on the subject of nonfiction didn’t go into enough depth on the subject of finding and creating nonfiction book ideas.  I knew if I saw a book in a bookstore or online on such a subject I would buy it immediately.  I figured if I would snap up such a book so quickly, other nonfiction writers might as well.  So, I spent many months researching the various tips and techniques writers use to find profitable nonfiction book ideas and have compiled them into this book.

You would be amazed at some of the titles that have sold thousands or millions of copies.  A complete list could fill an entire chapter, but here are some examples to give you an idea:

* The Joy of Not Working – 175,000 copies sold
* How To Live With a Neurotic Dog – 60,000 copies sold
* Life’s Little Frustration Book – 80,000 copies sold
* The Quotable Star Wars – 63,000 copies sold
* Chicken Soup for the Soul Series – 24,000,00+ copes sold
* 35,000 Baby Names – 100,000 copes sold
* The Duct Tape Book – 100,000+ copies sold
* Golf for Dummies – 150,000 copies sold
* Everyone Poops – 500,000 copies sold
* Internet for Dummies – 374,000 copies sold
* Rich Dad, Poor Dad – 1,000,000 copies sold

Those are just a few examples.  The best thing about all of these books is that the all started with an idea.  One single idea could make you a millionaire.  There are hundreds if not thousands of nonfiction topics to write about.  Take notice the next time you browse your local bookstore and you will see there are books on almost any subject imaginable.

One of the most exciting aspects about nonfiction is you now have more publishing options than ever before.  If you don’t want your writing career to depend on the whims of a large publisher in New York, you can self publish your book with a budget of as little as $100!  Of course, you can start with a larger budget, but with the newest technologies in book printing there are companies out there that will print as little as twenty five copies of your book at a time.  You have total control of everything from the title, cover, the text of the book and more.  You are guaranteed to get published with no rejection slips!

The purpose of this book is to help you find and create nonfiction book ideas that sell.  Finding a great idea is one of the toughest but most important steps on the way to becoming a best selling author.  Whether you have written a book before or have never written a book before, this book will show you dozens of tips and techniques to help you create some of the best book ideas in the world.  You’ll learn how and where to find ideas, how to enhance ideas you find, how to decide which ideas are best and you will get motivational techniques to take action and start writing the book idea you decide on.  In addition you will find many useful writing and publishing resources listed in the appendix.

There are thousands of ideas all around you waiting to be turned into the next million dollar best seller.  All you have to do is apply the tips and techniques in this book and find them.  So, get ready to start your book creation and writing adventure.  You don’t need fifty ideas, you don’t need ten.  You only need one book idea to change your life for the better.  Let the quest begin!