How to Write a Nonfiction Book: A Step-by-Step Guide for Authors

Some people avoid nonfiction, believing it's just a bunch of dull facts with no excitement. The truth is, they probably just haven't found a great nonfiction book yet.

Nonfiction can be just as thrilling as fiction—maybe even more since you’re diving into real events and stories. Many authors believe that crafting nonfiction is simpler than creating fiction. However, it still requires a lot of effort to write a nonfiction book. Unlike fiction writers who might follow a simple outline and let the narrative unfold naturally, nonfiction demands thorough planning before you dive into writing.

This article will walk you through a step-by-step process. It begins by encouraging you to consider your book and organize your ideas before you jump into the writing itself.

How to Write a Nonfiction Book

1. Define your goals for your nonfiction book.

Before you start your writing adventure, it's important to understand your motivation for taking it. What do you want your readers to learn? How do you want them to think, feel, or act after finishing your book? Are you looking to dive into a subject you're passionate about, or do you want to tell a story that inspires or helps your audience?

Once you clarify your goals for your nonfiction book, you'll be surprised at how many other elements start to come together.

Here are the key reasons why writers are drawn to creating non-fiction books specifically:

• Many of them aim to assist others on a particular subject, often drawing from their own personal experiences that inspire them to write the book.

• They already run a business and are looking to create a book that showcases their expertise, boosts their brand, and paves the way for speaking engagements and other opportunities. The main goal of the book isn't to generate direct income, but rather to attract more customers to their overall business.

• They have a strong passion for a subject and aim to create a groundbreaking piece about it. These are the kinds of non-fiction books that often earn literary awards, sometimes commissioned, and can take the author a significant amount of time to complete.

• They already have a following and create content that meets their needs, which frequently align with their personal interests.

• They aim to rely on non-fiction book sales for their income, planning to write several books within a specific niche to take over that market. There are authors out there who earn a full-time living from writing these types of books.

If you’ve got an author platform, like a blog, podcast, or speaking gigs, you probably already know your audience. However, many non-fiction writers think about their readers only after finishing their book and start to stress about marketing. Figuring out who your readers are before you start writing can make a big difference, and putting in that effort now will pay off down the line.

2. Get a grip on the specific type of nonfiction you plan to write.

Once you have a clear goal for your book, the next step is to decide what type of nonfiction you want to write. There are various subgenres within nonfiction, and your choice will influence both your message and your writing style.

Narrative nonfiction is all about storytelling, but unlike fiction, the stories are based on real events. Other subgenres that fall under this category include memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies, which also focus on storytelling. In this style, the emphasis is on the art of narration.

On the other hand, expository nonfiction prioritizes explanation over storytelling. This approach is less about weaving a narrative and more about clarifying a subject. Examples of expository nonfiction include textbooks, self-help guides, and instructional books.

Think about what the reader is thinking. What motivates people to pick up non-fiction? How does that connect to your concept?

• People are looking for solutions to specific issues, which is why weight loss and self-help books see a surge in popularity every January. What problem does your book aim to address?

• Readers often have a keen interest in certain subjects and tend to purchase numerous books in those areas. What categories does your book fall into on online bookstores, and is this a market where readers are actively buying?

• People are drawn to authors they like, which is why those with a significant following often land book deals. Just look at popular YouTubers, celebrities, and anyone with a substantial blog or podcast. If you have an audience, you’re likely to secure a book deal since they’ll be eager to read what you have to say. Do you already have a following? What are they hoping to gain from you?

3. Decide on your book title

Non-fiction book titles have a leg up on fiction titles since they can include relevant keywords that make them easier to find in searches while still being clear to readers. In contrast, it's quite challenging to come up with fiction titles that incorporate related keywords. Picking the right sub-categories and keywords is crucial when it comes to publishing.

4. Decide on the layout for your book.

If your goal is to share a story, you must figure out the best way to present it. This means you'll need to develop a plot structure.

Here are some examples of different plot structures:

• The Classic Three-Act Structure - In this approach, you unfold the story in a linear fashion. You kick things off with the first act, where you set the stage by introducing the main character and the event that launches their journey. The second act, known as the confrontation, follows the protagonist as they navigate challenges and meet various characters along the way. This is also where you might introduce an antagonist. The antagonist doesn’t always have to be a person; it could be a significant challenge, like societal norms or a complex problem that needs solving. During the confrontation act, you build tension and suspense. Finally, you reach the resolution act, where the protagonist confronts the antagonist in a climactic showdown. After this peak moment, you wrap up the story and highlight the key takeaways for your readers.

• Playing with Time - In this narrative style, you might start your story in the middle and use flashbacks to reveal how everything began. You can also leap ahead to future events and then circle back to earlier moments. This technique works well when you want to keep your readers engaged, especially if they’re eager to find out what happens next.

• The Circular Structure - In this format, you begin with the climactic moment that typically appears at the end of the story. Then, you rewind to explore the beginning and middle, detailing the events that led up to that climax. By the conclusion, you revisit that climactic moment and neatly resolve any remaining plot threads.

• The Parallel Structure - This method involves telling two or more stories simultaneously. Each story has its own distinct beginning, middle, and end. You can either intertwine the narratives or present them separately, but ultimately, you need to connect them by the end.

When it comes to expository nonfiction, it can be helpful to organize your book into sections or chapters based on different topics. For example, if you're creating a how-to business book that outlines seven steps or principles, it's effective to address each one individually. Still, you can create a cohesive story by allowing each step or principle to flow into the next.

5. Create your outline

It's time to create your outline, which is crucial for making sure you hit all the points you want to cover. Here’s a simple way to get started:

First, jot down the main sections of your book. If you're writing a story, these will be the beginning, middle, and end, arranged in the order you choose. For nonfiction, list the key topics you plan to discuss.

Next, take a closer look at each section. Write down all the details you want to include for that part.

Review your notes and see if there are any points you can merge, which ones need to be split into separate ideas, and which can serve as sub-points for others.

Then, figure out the sequence in which you want to present each sub-point. There might be some overlap, so decide where to dive deeper and where to just skim the surface.

Also, think about how much space each sub-point should take up. This will help you avoid going off on tangents about less important details.

Keep in mind that your outline is flexible. As you research, you might discover new ideas you want to include. Feel free to adjust your outline as you go along in the writing process.

6. Pick your style guide.

A style guide, often referred to as a manual of style, is a collection of guidelines designed to ensure your writing remains consistent. You can consult a style guide for decisions on matters like hyphenation and punctuation, similar to how you would look up word definitions in a dictionary. While it doesn't serve as a strict set of grammar rules, a style guide may offer suggestions on sentence structure and when to use passive voice. Additionally, some style guides provide advice on word choice to promote inclusivity and prevent unintentional racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination.

Three Types of Style Guides

Style Sheet - The first and most straightforward is a style sheet. This is typically a brief list of specific tips tailored to the manuscript you’re working on. You can create this yourself before you begin writing and update it as you progress. When you submit your manuscript to an editor, it’s wise to include your style sheet to ensure everyone is aligned. (Pun intended!) Your editor might also add to the style sheet and pass it along when sending the manuscript to a proofreader.

Style Manual - The second type is a publisher’s house style manual. Traditional publishers often have their own stylistic preferences, leading them to develop house style manuals for their authors, editors, and proofreaders to follow during the book creation process. When I worked for the Ontario government, my team and I—along with all ministries—utilized a government-wide style guide to shape our writing. It covered aspects like numbers, abbreviations, and other stylistic details. For instance, "per cent" was always written as two words, never as "percent." These house style manuals are essentially a more comprehensive version of a style sheet.

Professional Style Guide - Utilizing a formal professional style guide can be incredibly beneficial. This type of guide serves as a thorough reference that addresses nearly every aspect of writing for a particular field. It can be a valuable resource as you make stylistic choices for your manuscript.

7. Create your first draft

After creating an outline, you've tackled a big chunk of the hard work. With a style guide to assist you with the finer points, it’s just about putting your thoughts down on paper or typing them out.

Now transform those thoughts into your first draft, and believe me, it can be trickier than it seems! A lot of folks who aspire to write a book end up not finishing and getting that first draft done is often where they struggle.

So, grab a drink, eliminate any distractions, settle in, and start writing.

As a nonfiction writer, what’s the best way to share your ideas so that your book becomes a must-read for everyone?

1. Recall the narrative

As a nonfiction writer, your task is not only to select a story to share but also to pick one that resonates with your audience. What you find intriguing might not necessarily captivate your readers. So, it’s essential to evaluate the story from an objective standpoint. Is it appealing to you because of your personal interests, or does it have inherent qualities that make it interesting?

2. Create the atmosphere

Every story—true or not—becomes much more engaging when you set the scene. You want to immerse your readers and make them feel as if they’re experiencing it alongside you. Simply stating that you visited the bank manager won’t evoke much emotion. However, if you paint a vivid picture of the bank manager’s office—the dull colors of the walls and furniture, the harsh glare from the computer screen, the sleek mahogany desk, the scent of cleaning products, the distant sounds of traffic, and the dryness in your mouth—readers will feel like they’re part of the moment. When setting the scene, remember to engage all five senses, not just the visual aspects.

3. Make Your Characters Real

A key feature of any great story is the believable characters that fill it. Every person you mention in your book is a character, and your readers are eager to learn about them. What do they look like? What are they wearing? How do they sound? What unique traits do they have? For instance, that bank manager in your story will feel more authentic if you detail his neat haircut, crisp white shirt, and understated tie, along with his formal speech and the way he habitually uses his middle finger to adjust his glasses.

4. Watch Out for TMI

TMI stands for too much information. When Tolstoy goes on and on about a dog frolicking in a meadow, you can’t help but feel relieved when Anna Karenina finally jumps in front of that train. While it’s crucial to set the scene and flesh out your characters, overloading your readers with unnecessary details can detract from the narrative. It’s one of the fastest ways to lose their interest. So, be selective about what you include in your descriptions. It should enhance the mood, but if it takes more than a couple of paragraphs, it’s probably too much.

5. Keep Dialogue in Mind

Think about the person you know who shares the best stories. Do they narrate everything in a roundabout way, or do they sprinkle in direct quotes with different voices? Using dialogue can really bring a scene to life.

When it comes to nonfiction writing, you might hesitate to include dialogue since you want to stick to the facts. But there are ways to weave in dialogue without sacrificing your credibility. You can pull quotes from interviews, transcripts, or court records. Alternatively, you can create representative dialogue, which means you don’t have to quote someone verbatim but can craft a conversation based on what they likely said. Just make sure this dialogue feels genuine. Pay attention to how the person speaks, their accent, the phrases they often use, and the situation they’re in. For instance, a bank manager probably won’t refer to clients as “dude,” but he might use a totally different tone with his surfer friends.

6. Opt for Simple Language

While it might be tempting to flaunt your extensive vocabulary, remember that your main goal is to communicate clearly. If your audience can’t grasp the words you choose, how will they get your message? Using simpler language helps convey your ideas more effectively. It also makes your writing feel more like a conversation, as if you’re speaking directly to your reader, which keeps your book engaging.

Choosing plain language doesn’t mean you’re oversimplifying your message. You can still tackle complex ideas, but you’ll do it in a way that’s easier for your readers to digest. Here are some key tips for using plain language in your writing:

Embrace the active voice - It creates a more engaging and relatable tone compared to the passive voice, which can make your writing feel dull and bureaucratic, like it was penned by a nondescript figure in a bland office. Sure, there are moments when the passive voice is appropriate, but overusing it will likely put your readers to sleep.

Opt for simpler words - Think back to your English teacher's advice about writing like you talk. How often do you actually say “consequently” instead of “so,” or “such as” instead of “like”?

Steer clear of jargon - Just because you know what a term means doesn’t mean your readers will. If there’s a simpler or more familiar word available, go for it. If you can’t avoid using jargon, make sure to clarify what it means. And remember, slang can also be confusing.

Keep your sentences short - Focus on the main point in each one. To keep things interesting, mix up the sentence lengths, but aim for a maximum of twenty words.

Steer clear of nominalizations - These are nouns created from verbs, like “usage” from “use” or “formation” from “form.” They can make your writing feel too formal and harder to grasp.

7. Keep your research in mind

Nonfiction is all about telling a story, but it’s grounded in facts. To establish yourself as a credible nonfiction writer, you must support your claims with accurate information. Even if you’re sharing your own life experiences in a memoir, accuracy is key. Are your dates correct? Do you have the sequence of events straight? Was that building actually on that street during the time you’re discussing? With Google at your fingertips, there’s really no excuse for skipping your research.

8. Seek out deeper insights

Nothing exists without a reason. There’s always a backstory to why things are the way they are. By exploring the narrative behind the narrative, you can gain a richer understanding of your message. The clearer you are about your message, the better you can convey it to your readers.

9. Polish your work

After you’ve completed your first draft, it’s time to refine your book. This involves editing, sourcing illustrations, arranging the layout and cover design, and having a proofreader review it for any final errors. These tasks can be handed off to professionals who have the expertise to help you out.

Take a moment to enjoy your achievement of mastering nonfiction writing, then dive into the process of publishing and launching your book!

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