Research has shown that the vast majority of aspiring authors fail because the dont have a POWER TEAM a group of experienced publishing professionals, ready and able to help YOU write your book and WRITE IT NOW! To become a successful, published author here's who you'll need:

1. Published Authors - Surround yourself with successfully published authors and find out how they persevered and succeeded; how they got started and who supported them. Published authors can show you the way, because they've been where you want to go. Each author's experience is different, so be sure you find several authors to share advice and act as mentors.

2. Book Consultants They can help you find contacts within the publishing industry, write book proposals and refine your book to appeal to publishers and specific markets. It's their job to help you navigate through the maze of getting your book published.

3. Publishing Editors They work at publishing houses and decide which books get published and which ones dont. They are the gatekeepers, so building relationships with publishing editors that you can talk to before, during or after submitting a manuscript is essential to landing a publishing deal.

4. Book Editors Before you send your book to anyone PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE hire an editor to catch typos, point out inconsistencies, and improve the content and focus of your book. Authors need a professional editor, BEFORE self-publishing or sending manuscripts to an agent or publisher.

5. Writing Coach Take your writing skills to a higher level. A writing coach can help you establish a productive writing schedule; get the creative juices flowing; break and avoid 'writer's block'; and help you with structuring your message or story. Even if you're confident in your writing abilities, spending time with a writing coach is time well spent and can save you money when its time to edit.

6. Agents An agent takes your finished manuscript and shops it around to publishers. An agent can dramatically increase your chance of being picked up by a publishing house. Since, some publishers ONLY review manuscripts submitted by agents and DO NOT accept unsolicited manuscripts from authors, having an agent beat the streets for you, can help you get a better publishing deal, faster.

7. Independent Publishers There's more than one way to get your book blished and Independent publishers make it easier (and quicker) for you to see your book in print. Today's publishing methods include traditional, self-publishing, print-on- demand, and some hybrid methods. Selecting a publishing method depends on your budget, time and desire for control.

8. Publicists You wrote it, now youve got to sell it (even if you get a publishing deal). A good publicist will help you market and sell your book - reach the media, schedule appearances, get into book fares and in general do all the stuff that helps boost sales. A good publicist is also often the difference between a published author and a famous published author!

9. Authors/Writers Circles Get the support, critiques and creative energy from fellow writers and authors that you need to keep it all going. An Authors Circle assembles a team, shares contacts within the industry and invaluable resources. Authors circles are committed to writing, publishing and YOU. A great circle leader lays out the authoring and publishing process, gives you access to the people you'll need every step of the way and shows you the formula to authoring success.

If you dont have all of these people in YOUR circle (that means you can pick up the phone and call them RIGHT NOW) then its time to build your POWER TEAM.