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Lexi Radcliffe-Hart posted in the group The Community
@donaboussy has asked a really great question in our bookclub, about whether anyone else has experience of ”writing and self-publish your own book to show your expertise and build your authority? I am currently in this process and to be honest, I struggle a bit in every single step”
I know we’ve got loads of writers, authors and thought leaders in the community – can anyone offer up some advice? Ben Legg Nika Talbot Mike Weston Richard Saldanha Claire Hughes Andrea Ciganikova Greg Aslangul stephanie geertman Michael Bateson Thomas Root @rolyallen jan cavelle Cara de Lange Kirsty Parker
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Hi @donaboussy
I wrote and published my book (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marketing-CEOs-Death-Glory-Digital/dp/0692669299) in 2015-16 solely on Amazon, to keep the hassle to a minimum. They can turn your book into a Kindle version, plus print paperback copies for something like $3 each.
As for the process of writing it, it went as follows:
– Brain dumped all my thoughts into digital notebook over 2-3 months
– Organised my notes into chapters that made sense and got feedback from 6-7 experts on structure/ key messages
– Hired a ghost writer who ’got’ my style
– Brain dumped my notes and thoughts on the ghost writer – 2 x three hour sessions
– Ghost writer created first draft in a Google Doc
– I dithered for a few more weeks before checking it (I had two CEO roles at the time – one in the US and one in Asia)
– I reviewed and rewrote the majority – evenings and weekends over 3-4 weeks
– Found an illustrator on Upwork and briefed her to create the cover, plus a couple of illustrations per chapter
– Graphic designer organised pagination to be ready for Amazon’s process
– Uploaded to Amazon
Not sure if you call this self-publish? I didn’t use a publisher, but did use several portfolio professionals
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Hi @donaboussy, Articles, blogs and standing up in public are much easier than trying to write an entire book and will likely get you noticed faster. But if you have something to say and a burning desire to produce a book go with it. Just know it will take time and that very few books become seminal. A recognised publisher definitely has more cachet but that’s no reason not to try publishing yourself. Another trick is to publish articles through any professional bodies of which you are a member. Whilst prestigious journals are one thing, such bodies often have a member magazine and a swift and easy route to effectively getting your article endorsed and out to its membership.
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I’m finishing and submitting my book this week to my publisher – it’s been a fun / frustrating / rewarding process already, just getting it down in print. What I found massively useful was the discipline of writing a Book Proposal. I was introduced to a publisher right at the start of my process, who gave me clear guidance on what was required for that proposal, and then reviewed it. The structure it directed me to take has been enormously useful during the writing of the book.
DM me if you’d like to discuss further!
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I went for trad publishing feeling daunted by self-publishing and was lucky enough to get a deal on my book. I think it depends a lot on what you want to get out of it
I’ve not written one but I’ do write and I’m in the process of thinking about one so very interested.