Are you retired or changing careers? Have you worked in the same industry for years? Do you have expertise that you want to share? If so, you may want to consider writing a book. The idea of writing hundreds of pages might be intimidating. If you write about something you are deeply passionate about, writing a book will feel like less of a project and more of a process. Remember that many celebrated authors don’t start as writers. Many become experts in a specific field and decide to share research, information, or advice. But your career isn’t the only thing you can write about.
Some people have unique personal experiences that stand out to literary agents and readers alike. Before you decide what you would write a book about, consider if you have the time and resources. Writing a book can take what may seem like a lifetime. Also, think about whether you can afford a literary agent. If you can’t you can always self publish your work. However, a book is more likely to gain traction if a literary agent helps with the distribution process. But don’t worry about that now. First, check out three reasons why you should consider writing a book.
Pursue Your Passion
It’s important to do what you love for work. The less you enjoy your job the more it will feel like a chore. Hopefully you’ve already had the chance to pursue professional opportunities you enjoy. If there’s a topic you love to discuss or research you may want to think about writing a book.
Maybe you have experience in leadership roles and want to tell readers how to climb in their careers. Or you could be a DEI expert who wants to inform companies about how to create psychological safety in the workplace. You might come from several underrepresented groups and want to craft a personal narrative about your intersectional identity.
No matter what you write about, get advice from other professionals who are in your field and have written books. Reach out to authors in your line of work on LinkedIn to get some guidance. If you post about the topic you plan to write about you may get a following before your book is even published. A following on social media isn’t an opportunity to boost your ego— it’s a chance to connect with other professionals and people who love the same things you do.
Share Your Expertise
Before you choose something to write about, think of a topic or experience you could discuss for hours on end— that’s your book. The more you know about a certain subject area the more likely you are to attract readers. If your career has been dedicated to exploring or focusing on one subject area, come up with an approach to that subject that few authors have written about before.
When you send a query letter to a literary agent make sure to explain the depth of your expertise in your introduction. In addition, provide literary agents with any media coverage you’ve received or interviews you’ve done that pertains to the topic you plan to write about. Make sure to highlight why you are the perfect person to tell this story and how you think it will impact readers.
Do Something Meaningful
This is one of the most important parts of thinking about whether or not you should write a book. Yes, a fat check and international recognition would be nice. But that is not what writing a book is about. Whether it’s solid career advice or a strong personal narrative, writing a mission driven book will inspire people who are just as passionate as you are.
Once your book is done, it’s time to send it to literary agents. Some authors sign with literary agents prior to submitting a full length book. It depends on the agency. If a literary agent decides to represent you, make an even greater impact by finding organizations, content creators, and companies to collaborate with that have missions that align with your work.
It may seem daunting to start a book, but remember this. Authors who have written New York Times best sellers, have had their books made into films, and have millions of followers didn’t start that way. They started with a passion for a specific topic and remained persistent for years if not decades despite receiving rejection after rejection. It may seem like you aren’t capable or well informed enough to write a book, but that is not true. If you have a deep desire to inspire and inform that will transcend all else. So, what are you waiting for?
