The Book Doctor on repeating information for the self-publishing writer.
Q: I’m starting on the next nonfiction book in my series. What’s your opinion on this issue: How should I repeat, or not repeat, foundational information for the second book? Here are some of the options others and I have come up with so far:
Don’t repeat anything; refer readers to the first book.
Use the same foundational pages as I did in the first book, but place them in an appendix at the back.
Repeat everything I need to, but repackage it in a different way with new layouts and illustrations.
Reproduce it as is in the back in miniatures, four to a page.
A: Without seeing the actual manuscript, it’s hard to answer your questions about whether or how to repeat information, but my inclination is not to repeat information at all. If folks want the information, they should buy your other book. Think marketing. I’d refer to the previous book and even include an order form in the back.
Bobbie Christmas, book doctor, author of Write In Style (Union Square Publishing), and owner of Zebra Communications, will answer your questions, too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. Visit Bobbie’s blog at http://bobbiechristmas.blogspot.com/. Read more “Ask the Book Doctor” questions and answers at http://www.zebraeditor.com.
Self Publishing Advisor 
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