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14-Day E-book Writing Challenge

January 7, 2008 – 2:34 pm

This is the official 14-Day E-book Writing Challenge post. This post will be updated before and throughout the challenge to feature new articles on e-book publishing, updates on the challenge, and more.

Challenge Details

The 14-Day E-book Writing Challenge will begin on Friday, January 18, 2008, and run through January 31st.

You don’t have to have experience writing e-books to take part in the challenge. It’s meant to be a (hopefully enjoyable) networking opportunity, where e-book writers (old and new) can offer their advice, encouragement, and support to each other.

There aren’t any prizes. This is a challenge; not a competition. By completing the challenge, your reward is the fact that you’ve created either a new income stream or a new marketing tool in just two weeks, and hopefully made a few new friends or professional contacts along the way.

During the 14 days of the challenge, I’ll be offering tips to guide you through the e-book writing, publishing, and marketing process step-by-step.

Pre-Challenge Reading

Prior to the challenge, I’m publishing several articles aimed at e-book publishers (especially first-time e-book writers). You can find the running list below (I’ll add to it as more articles are published). These articles are designed to get you thinking about various aspects of the e-book writing and publishing process.

Join the 14-Day E-book Writing Challenge

If you think you have it in you to write an e-book in just 14 days (or if you’d like to simply give it a try), leave a comment on this post. Let us know why you want to write an e-book during the challenge (are you hoping to sell it, create a free e-book to give away, etc.?), and whether or not you’ve written e-books in the past.

I hope at least a few of the regular readers here will jump on board and help each other out in writing our next e-books.

I’ll be taking part in the challenge myself… not only writing here about the e-book writing process, but putting together a new e-book of my own!

Challenge Post Archive

Here you can find links to all of the 14 days in the e-book writing challenge (they’ll be added as they occur). These are being listed to help you better follow along with the challenge, or to refer back to later if you plan to challenge yourself independently at a later time:

Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Day Ten
Day Eleven
Day Twelve
Day Thirteen
Day Fourteen

Technorati Tags: ebooks, ebook writing, ebook publishing, ebook marketing, ebook challenge, writing challenges, writers challenges, freelance writing, freelance writers

59 Responses to “14-Day E-book Writing Challenge”
I keep coming back to this post because its one of my short-term goals for this year; however, I need to think about it. I want to make sure that I have the time to devote to this project. I will be creating a few ebooks within the next few months some will be free, and others I’ll will be paid. They will deal with nutrition, fitness, and simple recipes related to natural beauty products.

By Opal Tribble - Addicted To Writing on Jan 7, 2008
I wish I could participate but Macworld Convention’s going to be on the 20th and I have to cover the event. I won’t have time.

Maybe next month’s challenge.

By Mariella on Jan 8, 2008
I’m in. I’ve been playing around with one idea for quite some time and I want to finally get it down on paper.

By Diana on Jan 8, 2008
I’m in. I’d like to see if I have what it takes to do an ebook…and I definitely need an income stream this year, so this is a good opportunity!

By Lisa on Jan 8, 2008
oh I love a challenge. I’ve written many blogs and e-articles but not a book. I’m up for it.

By wendy thomas on Jan 8, 2008
Okay, I’m game. I’ve been working on one since June. It’s being proofread this week. So I may be a bit ahead but I want to play anyway.

By Anne Moss on Jan 8, 2008
One of the key things about this challenge that I’m hoping to convey is that writing an e-book doesn’t have to take a lot of time. I wrote my first e-book in about 5 hours. So I do hope you’ll give it a try Opal. One of the biggest fears people have about writing e-books is that they think it’s going to take them too long. I hope that you’re able to see that doesn’t have to be the case (a lot of it comes down to choosing a niche you know well, and understanding that e-books don’t have to be long).

Welcome to the challenge for those wanting to participate. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed either in your favorite reader or via email (from the subscription form in the inside right column), so you don’t miss out on anything.

@Mariella - I’m sorry you won’t be available to take part. One of the best things about doing this on a blog though is that the 14-day steps will all be permanently archived, so if you can’t do it this month, you can do it on your own at any time after. Good luck with that piece!

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 8, 2008
Hi there, I’m Wendy’s sister and I have declared that I am writing a book on e-commerce for nonprofit managers. This challenge will help me really focus on this goal. There is so much to know, and so many folks out there who could more easily write this. However, there are an equal number of rather clueless folks who could benefit. While I don’t fashion myself as an expert, I think I can plunge in as a journalist exploring an area that needs to be well understood.

So, plunge in I will.

By Peg Thomas on Jan 8, 2008
@Jenn>> Thanks a lot! I’ll definitely re-visit the posts and try to write an ebook at a latter date.

By Mariella on Jan 8, 2008
BTW, I forgot to say, I’m not writing just one article for the Macworld Convention, I’m writing LOTS. That’s why I literally won’t have time for anything else. I hope next month’s activity would be fun too.

By Mariella on Jan 8, 2008
@Jennifer,
Oh I know what I’ll write about. It’s related to my business natural beauty products however I’m in the same predicament as Mariella I have a lot on my plate. Although I could write about my niche for hours, I have to make sure I’m not taking away from my daughter, clients, or my studies. I’m back in school pursuing my Masters degree in Traditional Naturopathy
However if I do find the time I’ll definitely be up for the challenge.

By Opal Tribble - Addicted To Writing on Jan 8, 2008
This month is going to be the busiest I have ever had. Literally! Oh well adding one more thing will not kill me.

I have been paid for my writing, I have written as a volunteer, and am an expert at business correspondence. However, I have never written an e-book.

Count me in! and thank you so much Jennifer.

By eFYI on Jan 8, 2008
It has taken me about 7 months to create my eBook/eTutorial. However, a friend of mine did a much shorter one to start with to get her feet wet. That was probably a better way to go.

Start small and work from there. I dove in head first. But I do have to make a .pdf version and I’d be happy to share my experiences thus far.

By Anne Moss on Jan 9, 2008
I’d like to try an e-book. I’m inspired by the group.
Thanks!
Diane

By Diane M on Jan 9, 2008
Hello All,

I am very busy as well. I think the purpose of this challenge is to set a goal and write decent content prolifically. I’ve had an interest in writing for the web and writing ebooks for some time now and am willing to step in and give it a shot.

This will be challenging to me b/c I am not a writer, but this is a skill that I want to improve.

My time is consumed by my “real job” as a technical consultant in the financial industry which reguires travel, my wife and daughter, painting the study in my new home, finishing a store room and office in my basement, etc.

Its worth a shot for eveyone and every circumstance.

Good luck and see you on the 18th.

~John H.

By John H. on Jan 10, 2008
Well that’s the spirit guys and gals! And John is right… it’s definitely worth a shot. Either it will earn you some money, work as a marketing tool for you, or you’ll learn what “not” to do in the future… any way you cut it, pushing yourself is good for you.

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 10, 2008
I’m definitely in and I can’t wait! I haven’t really decided exactly what I want to do with E-Books yet, but figuring how to write and market one is important, so I’m jumping in.

By Mommy Cracked on Jan 13, 2008
I want to give this a go. I have wanted to try my hand at an e-book for awhile and this sounds like just the thing to get me going!

By e2write on Jan 14, 2008
What incredible timing! I’m just exploring the wild and woolly world of ebooks. I hope to write and market several this year, and having never done so before, the group setting will keep me motivated and focused. Thanks for providing this challenge!

By Cindy on Jan 14, 2008
I’m glad to see so many people interested in this. A big thanks to Diana for suggesting we run the challenge in the first place. Best of luck to everyone. JUST THREE DAYS TO GO!!!

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 15, 2008
I’ve been wanting to work on an ebook/manual and gave myself by the end of the month anyway, so I want to join you guys! Thanks for the interesting info, I want to get into epublishing quite a bit more. I don’t need a competition though, just good info!

By Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy on Jan 15, 2008
Glad to have you Sara.

There’s no “competition” exactly. We’re all just challenging ourselves by giving ourselves a 14-day deadline for writing an e-book, and supporting each other along the way.

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 15, 2008
If I sign up for the email subscription only (which is what I have) will I be getting what I need for the e-book Challenge? Or do I need to sign up for one of the RSS feeds?

thanks,
Lisa

By Lisa on Jan 15, 2008
I try not to send email updates every day (and weed out some of the more personal / promotional posts), but I do plan on sending them daily during the challenge, so you should be fine.

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 15, 2008
I’d like to play, I’ve been interested in doing an e-book on making comics in Adobe Flash and this seems like a great way to plunge in.

By Mark Badger on Jan 15, 2008
I’m joining all of you on this glorious project! I love a ‘group consciousness’ and think it will help motivate me. I sure don’t know the subject matter yet, though!

By Ellie on Jan 15, 2008
I want to try! I’ve never written an e-book - in fact I’m a newbie writer and haven’t written much of anything at all! But I’ve been thinking about this for awhile and have some subjects in mind. I hope I can keep up with everyone!

By Beth on Jan 16, 2008
I have always wanted to write an e-book but never have & this seems to be a perfect opportunity! I have written a couple of short stories but never had anything published etc. This challenge will be great for my confidence & to get me going.

By Tonya on Jan 16, 2008
I’ll be doing this. I have a great idea and want to implement it. It will be good for me because it will showcase my writing talent. The sales page will be good copywriting practice. It will also give me more income. In other words, how can I NOT do this?

By Trisha Bartle on Jan 17, 2008
I’m in. I’m going to write a travel related e-book. Maybe trip planning: using the web to plan your dream vacation.

Or a book on how to prepare 2 weeks worth of freezer dinners…

By Anna on Jan 17, 2008
I never would have come up with that second idea Anna, but I love it. I’m a big fan of cooking a lot at once, and freezing it for meals during the week (or two weeks in your potential e-book’s case). It means I don’t have to take time out of my busy work week to cook.

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 17, 2008
I’m in.
I’d like to offer a free ebook on my site.
Sounds like a good way to get more subscribers/readers, which is my goal for this first quarter.
Then maybe I’ll do another ebook, which would be paid for!
thanks for the articles–I just read through them, and they were all informative and helpful.

By Jeniffer on Jan 18, 2008
I think I’m in as well, though I haven’t even started with the reading yet pre-reading or otherwise. However, if I keep saying I don’t have the time for it, it will never get done so time to bite the bullet I guess. I think the idea of using it for revenue is more of a perk than a reason for me. I have really been branching out with my freelance career, trying to focus on the psychology/mental health field, and am simply looking for additions to my portfolio to make it look a little more diverse as far as writing experiences. Yes, this will be a challenge, but looking forward to it. Thanks, Jen!

By Chrissie on Jan 18, 2008
Hi - Jennifer I just stumbled on this challenge today when I stopped by to see what you had been up to. (I remember you from Suite101 where you were such a helpful editor). This e-book challenge sounds like a great thing to try. I’m in, though I just got here so not sure yet what I will tackle.
Way cool

jill

jill browne - one of 101 jills on suite101.com

By jill on Jan 19, 2008
Welcome Jill. Nice to have you around. Good luck with your e-book!

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 19, 2008
Though I am not really prepared to launch any ebooks, there are lots important and inspiring tips for article writing which can apply to my work. Great work !

By dotservant.com website hosting on Jan 20, 2008
I’m in! I just found this post, so I will have to play “catch up!”

By Shay on Jan 30, 2008
Well, the challenge ends today. Did anyone stick with it?

Confession time: I didn’t follow the challenge exactly myself. I wrote the e-book for two days, edited it, prepared a few articles, and then I took several days off because I was out of town dealing with moving things (and it was tough enough finding time to do the posts). So overall, it will have taken me a little over a week… just fragmented. I’ll be setting my e-book up on E-junkie on Monday, and putting the sales letter live (on this site) with the order link then also (and taking care of launch marketing).

If you’d like to share your e-book done during the challenge (or any e-book you’ve written in less than 14 days), please leave a comment, and I’ll include them in a list next week (assuming we have at least five or so) for people to see what you can do in a short amount of time. I’ll also include those links in the free report I’ll be doing a little later on the process, so don’t include the link if you don’t want it there.

Overall, did you feel like 14 days was enough time? Too much time? How long did your e-book end up being. Did it take you the full four days of writing time, or did you get it done quicker? Did you extend your writing into other days as well? I just want to get a feel for how people did, where they struggled a bit, and where they excelled.

By Jennifer Mattern on Jan 31, 2008
I did but I really was taking one platform and putting it into pdf format. So I don’t know that it counts but I used your challenge to force me to meet a deadline for doing it. And it is done!

Here’s mine:

http://webpreppro.com

There is also a free document for defining a target audience that I think would help writers here get the information they need from clients.

By Anne Moss on Feb 4, 2008
I’m still writing! I think I should have started the writing part sooner in the Challenge. Like many other writers likely find, I would do everything else first, then be at the end of the day trying to write, when my brain was exhausted from 14 hours of writing and training. However, I’m over half way through the book and have all the framework around it. “All” I have to do is finish it.

There is certainly something compelling about the 14 day concept, as opposed to a 21 day concept. I was following the scheduled tasks, which at first takes very little time, if those fundamental issues are not too laborious. THEN the writing days hit and I didn’t have enough time. I should have started writing on Day One, since I was ready to do so. I’ll do that next time.

As it is, I’m 25 pages closer than I would have been without the 14 Day Challenge, and I’ll be finished soon. So, I’m happy! Thank you for providing the incentive. I’ll let you know when it’s completed.

By Tina Rowe on Feb 9, 2008