Q: How do I choose a topic for my non-fiction book?
Q: How do I choose a topic for my non-fiction book?
I hosted a non-fiction book publishing workshop recently where people shared their struggles around the topic for their book and how to approach it (memoir or expert? Life story or business book?).
The first thing I do with my writers is get clear on what they want from their book.
Is it to build brand awareness?
Is it to attract speaking engagements?
Is it to build your business or practice?
Is it to create transformation in others?
Regardless of your answers, if we don’t ask these two questions:
What do you want?
What does your reader want?
Then we’re likely to fall short of the mark.
Everything that falls between the covers of your book should serve these two goals. And story is how you make those ideas accessible, relatable and tangible. (Malcolm Gladwell is brilliant at this.)
Admittedly, there may be some casualties along the way. In fiction, we call this “killing your darlings”—which means sacrificing the moments and parts of your book that don’t serve your through line (see the two questions above).
And for that, all I can say is, there’s always your next book.
PPS: If you want to workshop your book idea further, for just $10/month you can sign up for my membership where I walk you through my step-by-step book development process, which also includes a one-hour book development consultation with me. It’s also super fun.