Most people find non-fiction more daunting to write than fiction because you are bound by facts and the laws of reality. You cannot create characters and places from your imagination; you have to do extensive research about them. You have to read a lot of source material and conduct interviews if necessary.

Crafting a non-fiction book takes time, effort, and practice. You need to make the facts look interesting to readers. If you are interested in creating this type of book, read this list of essential writing tips.

1. Double-check sources

Non-fiction needs to be factual, so do not forget to check and re-check your information. Do not rely on a single source; find other avenues where you can validate your data. You could visit the library, government agencies, laboratories, or other places. Talking to experts and other authors who have written about the same topic can also be useful.

Information can also change over time, so make sure you are updated with the latest news so that you can make the necessary changes in your piece.

2. Add something new and relevant

For any non-fiction work, having the right facts is important to make your piece become more credible. However, information can be downloaded from numerous sources. If you do not produce something new and relevant, you can never convince any reader or publisher.

In order to do that, you have to make your piece unique by adding reasoned commentary and expert opinion. As long as your comments and opinions are within the context of the topic, do not be afraid to give them to your readers.

3. Conduct surveys and interviews

Don’t just limit your research to printed materials and the internet. Go outside and interview people who are experts on the topic you are working on. They can help you clarify jargon that you were not able to understand before. Their quotes can also make your piece more interesting and credible.

Surveys, on the other hand, will be useful in determining what people think about your topic or what they already know. You can use this information for finding new angles to the story you are working on.

4. Determine your readers

Knowing your average readers and their market size is essential for crafting your non-fiction piece. If you have good knowledge of your target market, you can create a book that will suit their needs and reading preferences. You can even use this information to modify your writing style to a tone that they can appreciate.

5. Make sure that your work is necessary

Aside from being unique, another important factor that you should remember is the importance of your non-fiction piece. Research other authors who have created books on the same topic you are working on. What are the things that they have not yet discussed? Is there still a need to create a book about this particular topic? These should be the questions that you answer first.

Final thoughts

In non-fiction writing, the most important thing to consider is facts. Without proper information, your work will not become credible and useful to your readers. Always do extensive research and conduct interviews to make your work stand out.