Do you have a story circulating in your head that you want to share with others? Or are you looking to supplement your income by publishing a book of your own? Writing an e-book is an excellent way to earn a steady stream of side income. You might feel a little overwhelmed about where to start or how to find the time to put your words to paper. Use these tips to help you get started on your e-book side hustle:

• Choose a topic you know. Avoid focusing on a hot topic, believing that's where the money is at. If you know little or nothing about a topic, you'll have to do a lot of research to write about it. 
• Write an entire outline. To help streamline your writing process, make a clear outline before you begin. The outline should include a title for each chapter, but don't spend too much time determining the exact title. List sections you want to cover in each chapter, and provide as much information as needed.
• Find a distraction-free area to write. It's easy to get distracted while writing, so do whatever you can to minimize interruptions. Silence your phone, sign out of social media and your email accounts, and set up your writing spot somewhere away from other people.
• Let it rest. After you've completed your e-book, step away from it for about a week. This gives you fresh eyes and a new perspective before you make revisions.
• Edit your work. Consider paying an editor or recruiting volunteers to review chapters of your e-book.
• Design your cover. Many people do judge a book by its cover. Unless you're a professional designer, consider asking or hiring someone to create the cover.

Once you've written your book, use a self-publishing site such as Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) so others can enjoy (and pay you for) your words. Other popular sites include KITABOO, Apple iBooks Store, Smashwords, and Kobo Writing Life.

Be proactive, and spread the word about your e-book. A couple of weeks before your e-book's launch, send copies to bloggers in your niche. Post information about your e-book on social media. On certain platforms, you can create buzz by briefly offering it at a discounted price.

Don't wait for someone else to write the book you've been thinking about. Research the best self-publishing platforms, put your thoughts in writing, and you'll be well on your way to earning passive income.

Sources: Smartblogger.com, Kitaboo.com, TheWriteLife.com