eBook Authoring Assessment Quotient

Do you have the “write” stuff to be an eBook author?

Take the eBARQ (eBook Authoring Readiness Quotient) Assessment

So, one of your goals in life is to author a book! How many others have said to themselves at one time or another, “Some day I’m going to write a book”. Perhaps you’ve realized that your acquired interests, passions, knowledge or skills in life are worth sharing with others.

There is a distinction between a writer and a published author. Often writing is driven by need that is initiated by outside influences. The writing may be job related or interest related. Writing for oneself because you choose to do it is a different kind of writing. Taking the finished product to the next level by having it published for a world-wide audience is a worth-while achievement and well within your capabilities.

eBook authoring is a gateway to all other forms of publishing. For beginners it’s a credible first step. For established authors it’s a pathway to a world-wide audience expanding the present customer base. For many authors, eBooks are all they want to write; all they need to write.

eBook Authoring Services has developed an assessment instrument with the acronym “eBARQ” (pronounced e-bark) which stands for eBook Authoring Readiness Quotient.

The assessment is designed as a non-scientific look at yourself as a potentially successful eBook author. The assessment instrument can be done quickly and easily producing a quotient (ratio) of those personal qualities which make you well suited to authoring an eBook compared to those areas where you are not quite as ready for the authoring process.

Don’t sell yourself short in terms of what you already bring to the authoring process or what you can do to make yourself more ready for the adventure. Don’t sell eBooks short in terms of what they can do for you in establishing yourself as a published author. eBooks can be both a path to other publishing options and/or an end in themselves. Hundreds of successful authors use eBooks as their sole means of publishing their work.

The Assessment Tool

Twenty characteristics have been identified as important for writing a successful eBook. For sure, there are other characteristics that could have been added to the list. The identified characteristics may not be what you would consider “typical” but then eBooks aren’t typical either! eBooks are an invention of technology and as such require more than writing skills. For eBooks, the writing and the technology are married together.

It is assumed you have some writing ability or you wouldn’t be considering authoring a book. The 20 characteristics cover the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to embark on your authoring adventure.

Instructions

20 Statements will be provided to you related to eBook authoring.

Step 1

Read each of the statements carefully. Read them again, if necessary. Take time for reflection on your past experiences not on what you wanted to happen - your desires. The greatest predictor of the future is what you have accomplished in the past. This is your track record. Be honest with yourself.

Note: You may want to print the statements before continuing.

Step 2

Using the following rubric, describe your current and past behaviour related to each of the 20 statements. There is no hurry to make the decision but deliberating too long will likely result in a less accurate assessment.

1. Very Much Describes Me

2. Accurately Describes Me

3. Somewhat Describes Me

4. Does Not Describe Me

Step 3

Assessment of the results begins by counting the number of statements for which your self-assessment rated yourself as:

1. Very Much Describes Me
and
2. Accurately Describes Me

Compare this total number with 20, the number of questions.

e.g. 10 statements rated as 1. Very Much Describes Me + 7 statements rated as 2. Accurately Describes Me would result in a score of 17/20 (the Quotient or ratio of those qualities an eBook author should possess versus the optimum of 20).

There is no numerically correct ratio. You should have a "feel" for what it takes to author an eBook and whether or not you should move on as an eBook author.

The assessment eBARQ gives you an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses related to the eBook authoring process.

Step 4

Use the results of the eBARQ assessment instrument to help you prepare for your eBook authoring experience.

Take confidence from and pride in the qualities you bring to the process. See eBook authoring as an adventure which you are ready to tackle. Regretfully, we often don't give ourselves the credit we deserve for the attitudes, skills and knowledge we do bring to a new situation.

Think carefully about your strengths. Consider these strengths also as a means of improving your weaker areas by exchanging services with others who can assist you in reaching your goal.

In areas where you are not as well prepared, is there a way around it?

Consider:

Exchanging services

Hiring someone with expertise and experience

Getting additional training

Reading a How-to book

Taking a course

Learn by doing

Step 5

Take the next step toward your goal of writing a book. Read 10 Steps = 1 eBook for an overview of the entire process.

You are on your way and eBook Authoring Services is with you.

eBARQ Assessment for eBook Authoring Readiness

Characteristic #1: You are a life-long learner.

Life-long learning - If you value life-long learning you will also value the necessity to share the wisdom you have acquired so that others may benefit. It is never too early or too late to teach others what you have already learned.

Characteristic #2: You believe in the worth of a written legacy.

A written legacy - Without being too cavalier about it, there is in all of us a desire to make a lasting impression on the world before we leave it. This can happen in many ways as you well know. Leaving behind a written legacy of your accumulated wisdom in eBook format is a worthwhile objective.

Characteristic #3: You appreciate literacy skills in the new technologies.

Technological Literacy Skills - You must appreciate the fact that word processing software, communication hardware and publishing methods have developed over the past few years to the point where they can not be ignored by a serious writer. Today’s literacy skills enhance the readers’ experiences providing timely information and entertainment through the development of new software and hardware technologies.

Characteristic #4: You like a challenge.

Take up the challenge - Get serious about your writing abilities. Challenge your intellectual capabilities by learning new skills. Adopt an attitude that takes your emotional involvement in a new project to a level of excitement and feeling of accomplishment that relives past successes.

Characteristic #5: You know a good opportunity when it presents itself.

Opportunity Knocks -View the eBook authoring process as an opportunity to share your wisdom (knowledge, attitudes, skills) with others. See yourself as passing on your experiences for the benefit of others. By giving to others you will get back so much more.

Characteristic #6: You appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit.

The Entrepreneurial Experience - eBooks can satisfy that craving to become an entrepreneur. Remember the “Kool-aid” stands and paper routes from your youth! The marketing and selling of your eBook(s) is exciting. That first sale is worth the effort. You can recoup your expenses and even make a profit very easily. You’d be a professional writer selling your creations.

Characteristic #7: You don’t mind making money for your efforts.

Financial Benefits - eBook authoring can provide financial benefits as well as the intellectual/affective benefits. Selling eBooks and pocketing profits is an obvious financial benefit. Tax laws may be used to create savings for you as a self-employed writer, speaker, presenter or consultant. Your eBook could also be published in standard publishing format or print-on-demand to open up new markets for you.

Characteristic #8: You see becoming an author as a life-changing event.

Make a career out of it. - Your present career can be enhanced through authoring an eBook. Your expertise, stature, personal/professional reputation and image can all be enhanced when you become a “published” author. Your eBook topic need not have anything to do with your work. Authoring and its related activities like speaking, doing workshops, making presentations, giving interviews… can become a second career before or after retirement. It can be a great recreational activity as well.

Characteristic #9: You have a sense of adventure.

Adventurer - If you like change, look for new challenges, like to explore new ideas, or see boredom as a poor alternative to living life to the fullest then the eBook authoring adventure is for you. From beginning to end your journey will be a rewarding one full of eventful experiences.

Characteristic #10: You see yourself as becoming more computer/Internet literate.

Computer Literacy - eBooks originate in a computer and emanate from computers as well. It is doubtful would-be authors presently have all the skills/knowledge they need to produce an eBook. Some of the required skills are easily handed over to other more qualified people if you wish. Compiling (publishing) an eBook from the word processing software to a software program which makes your book readable on the internet is one example of such a skill. Learning how to better use your word processing software will be beneficial to you in many ways.

Characteristic #11: You must like to write with passion.

Writers - It is assumed you are a reasonably capable writer. You need to write in a friendly style with simple rather than complicated language and with the reader in mind at all times in order to be a successful eBook author. The passion you have for the topic must be evident to the reader. The most difficult part of the writing stage of authoring is the editing. Your “best” is expected and appreciated.

Characteristic #12: You must see researching as necessary and worthwhile.

Researching - All successful eBooks contain well researched information. In addition to the regular researching of information to include in your book you will also need to research information to handle the other steps involved in the eBook authoring process. These include marketing strategies, authoring tips, web hosting, software usage, word processing capabilities, eBook formatting…

Characteristic #13: You must embrace learning.

Learning is hard work - Even assuming you have already written something in whole or in part that you wish to convert to an eBook, you will still have plenty to learn. Take it for granted that your learning curve may be steep and rocky at times. Enlist the help of others. Never turn down an opportunity or an offer of assistance. You will be rewarded for your learning efforts. You are guaranteed not to be the same person who started the process. You will be a better person!

Characteristic #14: You must recognize the fact you can’t do it alone.

Help - You are mistaken if you believe you can author an eBook with a solo effort. Not only would it be nearly impossible but it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. Consider your physical and human resources that you can count on for help before you begin the process. This may include computer software available to you or a friend who has some expertise which would be helpful to you. Make absolutely certain you celebrate with those people who helped make your journey possible. You will meet many new and interesting people along the way.

Characteristic #15: You must know you can finish what you start.

No procrastinators - In considering this characteristic of a successful eBook author, take a good look at yourself. Are you the type of person who finishes what they start? Does making a commitment become a quest to finish what you started? The eBook authoring process is not a quick one. It takes time to finish a book and to do it right. You can not rush the process. Perseverance is a must!

Characteristic #16: You must get excited about accomplishing your goals.

Accomplishment - Why are you writing this eBook? What’s your motivation? Is your desire internally or externally motivated? If you have enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment in your past after your best efforts then you know what to expect once your eBook is published. It’s a tremendous feeling! But remember, first and foremost do it for yourself.

Characteristic #17: You should see eBooks as a “living” book making learning easier.

Making Learning Easier - Regardless of the topic of your eBook (excluding fiction), you, as the author, are a teacher. Your customers are your students. eBook technology can effectively make the learning experience easier, more rewarding, exciting and motivating. Inserting links into your eBook with direct access to web sites that help make your information come alive is just one advantage of eBooks. Using colours, animation, voice messaging, bookmarks, interactive forms… enhances the message in eBooks.

Characteristic #18: You must recognize a time and financial commitment is necessary.

Time and Money - Make sure you understand that authoring any book is a major time commitment. You may have heard claims by authors of writing an eBook in 7 or 14 days but the reality is quite different. Writing your eBook in small chunks is easily done and large blocks of time aren’t essential. Being organized, having goals, and setting time lines are very important. The financial costs of becoming a published author are not significant and should not be a deterrent.

Characteristic #19: You must want to become an author and believe you will succeed.

Desire and Faith - To be a successful eBook author you must exhibit two things - desire and faith. Your desire to author an eBook is based on your passion for sharing what you have learned. The desire is the call to action of your passion. Faith doesn’t just involve your faith in yourself to complete the journey. It also involves a little synchronicity where you begin your journey truly believing that others will be there to help you along the way - and they will!

Characteristic #20: You must be a team player.

The more you give, the more you get .- The eBook authoring process is a team event not a solo effort. Not only must you enlist the help and support of others but you must be willing to help others in their endeavours. Synergistic relationships are powerful relationships. They are a bonus to the process. They are an enrichment of your life.