Virtually every leader I meet with wants to write a book, is writing a book or has written a book.
The idea of being a published author is certainly attractive, yet there is a consistent difference from those who have written or are writing and those who want to write.
The difference is the work, the very act of writing or publishing.
Of the people I mentioned in the first paragraph, about 85% of them want to have written something but they haven’t. Why? Because, while being a published author and seeing your book on the shelves is appealing, writing and producing a book takes a lot of work.
I myself have a book releasing on May 4th called Leadership is Dead (published via Howard Books). I am excited to be an author and to have the summation of my thoughts, from years of leading, packaged together in a way that will benefit others. My excitement, however, came after years of meticulous detailed work.
Becoming a published author didn’t happen overnight.
Let me explain.
• It took me close to two years to find the right agent.
• In that time my first book proposal took six months to complete and over a year before it was submitted to publishers.
• The book writing was a six month process.
• The grueling editing process was another 3 months.
• The promotion process has been several months and will continue on indefinitely.
All told I have been working on my book for more than three years. That doesn’t include the concepts, processes, and first-hand experience that has spanned throughout my lifetime as a leader.
And while I have focused here on timelines, please understand that the emotional effort and physical energy to write, as well as the mental fortitude to stay in the game is formidable as well.
That is why there are far more people who want to write a book than there are those who have written. It’s hard work with an unknown payback.
But is it worth it? Yes!
The written word helps your ideas to spread and a book is a great tool to help facilitate that. It doesn’t matter so much if the book is a physical bound hardcover, paperback, Kindle or some other electronic format… it’s the content that makes it what it is.
If you are one of those 85% who want to write but haven’t, let me encourage to get started today.
This blog was written not to discourage you, but rather to set your reality so that you are aware of the challenges ahead. It’s not easy but nothing worthwhile really is.
If you have a message inside of you then write. Get it out. You will be glad you did and the pain of the effort will be met with the joy of expression.
Tip: If you are a prospective author and don’t know where to begin, let me suggest you pick up the “Writing a Winning Book Proposal” eBook from my friend Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. It will give you a great foundation of how to begin.
