This chapter covers
- The benefits of moving from writing blog posts to writing books
- When you should (and shouldn’t) consider writing a book
- Alternative ways to share and shape big ideas
- Commonly overlooked considerations in the “publisher versus self-publish” decision
- Navigating the book proposal process
After you’ve written several successful blog posts and maybe have a conference talk or two under your belt, you might start wondering, “Should I write a book?” You might start thinking about this because you have a burning book idea—and you have a bad habit of burdening your future self with ambitious commitments. Or maybe it wasn’t even your idea at all. Maybe an acquisitions editor (a.k.a. a publisher talent scout) was impressed by some of your blog posts, reached out to you, and planted the seed in your brain.
Either way, writing your own book can be a tempting idea. But it’s also a massive commitment. The book will affect your life (and your family’s life) for months or years. But all the effort could yield significant long-term rewards.