Staring in horror at the book in front of me, my heart stopped for a moment.Hell, the whole world stopped – and I wondered if it’d ever start up again.
I could not believe what I was seeing: the table of contents was wrong. The page numbers listed didn’t quite match up to what was in the book.
And the book had gone out like that.
And I still had a full box left in the cupboard.
Look, I make these mistakes so you don’t have to.
When I created the second edition of my first book, Business For Superheroes, I had it printed in a rush. This was a few years ago, before I’d refined my systems… and that rush led to the horrific howler I’ve just described.
I mean, it’s not the end of the world, and I don’t think anyone who has the book has noticed (or at least, they’ve been kind enough not to mock me for it) – but it’s pretty embarrassing nonetheless
If you have a copy, think of it as a collector’s edition. Like stamp collectors do with misprinted stamps.
To me, that horror has been worth its weight, though, because it led to me creating The Ultimate Book Printing Checklist – and it made sure I would never make that mistake with a client’s book.
Writing a book isn’t just about the writing; it’s about the details, too. The fine points that mark you out as a professional. Stuff your readers may not notice on a conscious level, but if you get it wrong, they’ll feel it. They’ll know.
So pay attention to the details and don’t let the excitement of finish trick you into a similar horror…
Speaking of tricks, how would you like a treat?
There’s just a few days left to pre-order my new book, How The Hell Do You Write A Book, which does not contain a mangled Table Of Contents.
The treat is £5 off if you pre-order it from me now – together with:
- Free membership of The Moxie Bugle, a monthly printed newsletter packed with tips, stories, and advice on how to write, print, publish, and market your own book
- A bundle of tasty free resources to help you get started fast – and finish it off beautifully
- A thank-you gift for getting in early
- An offer exclusive to those superstars who’ve pre-ordered a copy
- My undying gratitude 🙂
Hop on over and pre-order your copy before midnight on Sunday – on the stroke of midnight, the pre-order page will turn into a pumpkin and the discount will go away.
Start Writing Your Book Today
If you want to learn more about how to write, self-publish, and market a book for your business, snaffle yourself a copy of How The Hell Do You Write A Book? Then check out the blog and podcast for more articles and guides. If you want a little (or a lot) more help, find out how you can work with me.
About Vicky…
Vicky Fraser is the founder of Moxie Books and author of How The Hell Do You Write A Book and Business For Superheroes. She helps business owners write books, connect with readers and new customers, and grow their businesses. When she’s not doing that, she’s hanging from a trapeze by her feet.
