How to Write and Publish a History Book

History books do more than recount what happened: they shape how we understand the world. Whether your goal is to reinterpret a major event, uncover a forgotten story, or establish your expertise in a particular field, writing a history book is both an intellectual and creative adventure.

But how do you transform research, notes, and ideas into a compelling, publishable book that both scholars and general readers will value? How do you balance accuracy with readability, and scholarship with story? And once it’s written, how do you get it into the hands of readers who care?

This guide walks you through that process, from choosing your topic and shaping your argument to preparing your proposal and navigating the publishing world. Along the way, you’ll find practical advice drawn from decades of experience helping authors bring their works to life.

1. Ask yourself why you want to write your book

There are many reasons to write a history book, ranging from sharing your knowledge to setting yourself up for university tenure, from making some money to rallying people to your cause.

Your reason for writing isn’t just your “why,” it’s also your “how.” In other words, knowing why you are writing your book helps you narrow your topic, select your theme, and work through all the other items on this list.

So before picking up your pen, ask yourself why you are writing a book, and let your answer inform all that follows. (For more, see Why Write a History Book?”)

2. Narrow your topic

You know which historical era, person, or theme you’d like to write about. The trick is to narrow your focus and decide what, specifically, to write about. Even 800-page biographies must narrow the topic to some extent, to prevent the book from becoming an impenetrable morass of names, dates, places, ideas, and arguments.

Developing your theme, which is the subject of Step #5, will help you narrow your topic.

3. Research, research, research!

Delve deeply into your topic, learning everything you can. My book-writing clients are often surprised to discover how much they don’t know about their chosen topics.

Even if you’ve already mastered the material you need to write, research some more. It may seem paradoxical, but the broader and deeper your research, the better able you are to narrow your topic and select your theme. That’s because, as you read, watch, and listen to the various research materials, you’ll learn what’s already been exhaustively covered and what remains to be revealed to the world.

(For tips on researching the American Civil War, see our “Writing About the Civil War: Research.”)

4. Select your readers

We normally think that readers select the book, not the other way around. But writers must think carefully about their potential readers, who they are writing for, and why.

Are you writing for adults interested in your topic, college students, children, governmental policymakers, or someone else? Are you writing for people who are not yet familiar with your topic, or those already deeply immersed in the subject?

Knowing who you are writing for is key, for it sets the terms for your writing. Knowing the “who” helps you develop your theme, decide what to include and what to leave out, select your style, and more.

Be wary of thinking that everyone will love your history book. Even the most popular New York Times bestsellers are read by a tiny fraction of the population. No book is for everyone; the key is to narrow your audience and figure out exactly who you are writing for.

(For more, see “Writing History With Readers in Mind.”)

5. Develop your theme

A book’s theme is its central argument. It tells everyone, in just a few words, what the book is about.

The theme is also the organizing principle for the writing, telling you, the author, what should and should not be included. If your theme is “finding your courage on World War II battlefields,” lengthy discussions of disputes between Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery should be excluded. If your theme is “the role of healers in Renaissance Italy,” you don’t need a chapter on relations between the Medici and the papacy.

For more on themes, see “How To Develop a Theme for Your History Book.”

6. Set your structure

There are many types of history books, each with its own structure. There are the:

• Biography
• Deep Dive on a Specific Incident
• Personal Response to History
• Relationship-focused History
• Counterfactual
• Historical Novel
• Photographic Book
• Contextualizing Historical Events
• Topic Through History
• How X Changed History
• Hidden History
• Quiz Book
• History-as-business book

(For more, see “12 Ways to Write a History Book.”)

Creating your book’s structure is like drawing the blueprints for your house: it tells you what goes where and how things flow from one “room” to another.

You can lay out your structure, in simple form, in a Table of Contents. Then create a Chapter Outline, which you do by adding up to two paragraphs’ worth of description under each item in the Table of Contents.

But don’t just write your Table of Contents and Chapter Outline. Scrutinize and interrogate them closely to make sure your structure flows from your theme, and that everything you’ve included in your theme fits with your structure.

If something doesn’t flow from or fit with your theme, go back and rethink your theme and structure. It’s worth spending extra time on this step, as it is akin to pouring the foundation for your new home. You want to get it right before building the rest!

7. Consider your sources

It’s easy to find information about almost any person, epoch, war, movement, or what-have-you. But how reliable is that information? Even if it’s quoted in a reputable source, can you be sure the passage is correct, presented in context, and properly attributed?

We are, today, awash in information, but a fair amount of it is misinformation. That’s why it’s important to, whenever possible, track down the original source of the information, statistic, map, or other item, and draw from that source.

8. Figure out your writing style

My ghostwriting clients sometimes tell me they want to “preserve my voice,” that is, they want the book to sound exactly as they do when speaking. But I remind them that there are five kinds of voices to consider. They are the:

• In-person voice – what someone actually sounds like.
• Imagined voice – what they think they sound like.
• Desired voice – how they would like to sound.
• Acquired voice – the affectations they put on when writing, knowingly or not.
• Writer’s voice – the voice that’s best for this particular book. This may be the in-person voice, imagined voice, desired voice, acquired voice, or something entirely different.

The key is to find the writer’s voice, the voice that best carries the book. If that happens to sound like the author speaking, fine. If not, equally fine.

You’ll find an expanded discussion of voice in “Hey ghostwriter, can you send me samples of your writing?”

9. Consider the visuals

Some history books need nothing more than pictures of the subject on the front and back covers, while others demand a great number of images alongside the text.

Images can be expensive, but there’s nothing more frustrating than, for example, trying to follow an extended discussion of a battle without at least one map, or having to imagine what a peplos or apoptygma looked like in a book about Roman and Greek clothing.

The fact that you, the author, can follow a battle in your head doesn’t mean your readers can do the same. So consider your visuals carefully and either have enough so that readers less learned than you can follow the text, or adapt the text so that it is understandable without visuals.

(For more, see “Using Visuals When Writing a History  Book.”)

10. Get feedback

It’s nearly impossible for authors to critically evaluate their own manuscripts. They’re too close to the material and have too much of an emotional investment in it to be impartial. That’s why it’s important to have others read and critique your work.

But make sure the people you turn to for critiques are truly qualified. Your spouse and friends are probably not, and will likely say nice things because they don’t want to hurt your feelings. Instead, try turning to a writers’ group consisting of actual, experienced book writers rather than beginners who lack experience, or consider hiring a professor or graduate student in the field to give you a critique.

You can also hire a professional editor or book coach to evaluate your book. For more on these professionals, see Step #12.

11. Revise, revise, revise!

Every student writer learns that the art of writing is rewriting, and it’s true.

Look upon the completion of your first draft as just the first step in a long journey. Having written and ghostwritten scores of books, including New York Times bestsellers, I know that the first draft is just the beginning and that many of the best ideas emerge in the revisions.

So when you finish that first draft, pat yourself on the back, take a break, then get back to work!

12. Consider getting writing or editing assistance

Many writers start off with great energy and enthusiasm but falter as the days, weeks, and months go by.

Writing a book can be a long and difficult process, which is why many people turn to ghostwriters, rewriters, developmental editors, and book coaches for help.

Briefly, the ghostwriter writes your book for you; the rewriter rewrites what you have already written; the developmental editor reorganizes your manuscript; and the book coach guides you through the writing process from beginning to end.

For more on these writing experts, see “Book-Writing Helpers, From “360 Degree” to “Pinpoint.”

13. Learn how to publish your history book

Once your manuscript is polished and proofread, the next challenge begins: getting it published. The publishing path you choose depends on your goals, budget, and desired level of control.

There are three primary publishing routes: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing. Each has advantages and trade-offs.

• Traditional publishing means submitting your proposal and sample chapters to an established publishing house. You can do so either directly (if they accept unagented submissions) or through a literary agent.

The traditional publisher handles editing, cover design, distribution, and marketing support. You receive royalties for each copy sold, but you’ll need to convince the publisher that your book will sell. This means writing a professional book proposal outlining your theme, readership, market potential, and your credentials as an author or historian.

• Self-publishing gives you complete control and full rights. You hire individual professionals or a turn-key company to edit, design, and format your book, then distribute it through platforms such as Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Barnes & Noble Press.

Self-publishing allows faster release and gives you higher royalties, but the marketing duties are all up to you.

• Hybrid publishing combines elements of both traditional and self-publishing. You pay part of the production costs, but the publisher manages the professional editing, design, and distribution.

It’s a good choice if you want quality and credibility but can’t or don’t want to wait for a traditional deal.

14. Prepare a compelling proposal

If you plan to go the traditional or hybrid route, your proposal is as important as your manuscript. Publishers don’t just buy books. They buy ideas and authors who can attract readers.

A solid history book proposal includes:

• A summary explaining what your book is about and why it matters.
• A competitive analysis showing how your book differs from other titles on the same topic.
• A target readership section defining who will buy your book and why.
• A chapter outline summarizing each section.
• Sample chapters—often the introduction and one full chapter—to show your style and scholarship.
• Your author bio, including credentials, previous publications, and platform (speaking engagements, academic position, social media presence, etc.).
• A marketing section explaining how your book fits into the marketplace, and how you will promote it.

If you’re unsure what publishers expect, read our “How To Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal.”

15. Think about your platform and marketing

Whether you publish traditionally or independently, you’ll be expected to promote your book. Publishers now look for authors who bring an audience with them.

Start building your author platform early. This can include:

• Speaking at conferences or historical societies.
• Writing articles or essays related to your topic.
• Maintaining a professional website or blog about your field.
• Appearing on podcasts or giving public talks.
• Engaging with history enthusiasts through newsletters or social media.

Remember that your name becomes part of your book’s brand. A strong platform reassures publishers that your book has built-in reach and ensures that readers discover your work even if you self-publish.

16. Protect your rights and plan for the long term

Before signing any publishing contract, understand the rights you’re granting and retaining: print, digital, audiobook, translation, and more. It’s always wise to consult a literary attorney before signing any contract or agreement.

History books, especially those grounded in original research or unique interpretation, can enjoy a long shelf life. Consider future editions, companion articles, or even spin-off titles (for example, adapting your book for a younger audience or turning key chapters into lectures or courses).

Publishing your history book isn’t just about getting it printed—it’s about creating a lasting contribution to how readers understand the past.

Ready to Begin?

Writing a history book is a long, involved process.

Most of us are not famous professors who can turn much of the research and some of the early drafting over to grad students. We have to research and write the book ourselves – but that can be fun and rewarding.

Think of writing your history book as a journey into the past, with you as the keen-eyed observer who will return to the present to present your fellows with great information and insights. It’s worth the effort!