5 Reasons to Write a Book (and 6 Not To)

Hey, you want to write a book?

Great idea! Here are some reasons you should do it from someone who has now written a book and is going to keep writing about writing a book (oh, and you can win a signed copy here).

5 Reasons to Write a Book

1) Credibility. Write a book, and you’re a published author. It doesn’t work that way in every field. If you perform a root canal, it doesn’t make you a dentist. For some reason, even though everyone’s getting their information by watching 15-second videos and scanning headlines without reading articles, being a published author tends to carry weight with others.

2) Novelty. It gives you something to talk about when people ask what’s new. I mean, who really wants to hear about your clients or your pets?

3) Challenge. Everyone (who’s literate) can attempt to write a book. And now you can even find AI tools to do it (been there, done that), or hire Jimmy on Upwork who will ghostwrite 500 pages for $11 (Jimmy’s a gifted writer). Yet if you actually try to write a somewhat good book (or a truly good one) and publish it yourself or through a publisher, it is a feat that you can be very proud of.

4) Creativity. As I got close to the book’s publication date, I stumbled on the Bradley Cooper movie “Limitless” on Tubi, and it’s one of those unforgettable concepts, even though it took me six hours to watch it with all the ads and the constant lag. You take a pill, your eyes light up, and you see the world differently. It’s a drug-induced flow state. Figuring out what to do with your book can unlock that without the substance abuse. For me, it led to coming up with custom bookmarks I’m including when distributing print copies – plus some other ideas I can’t yet share. Even my 11-year-old entrepreneurial daughter is inspired, and I’m hiring her as my new creative director. Plus, I’m learning from the best. I saw a trailer for my old boss Matt Britton’s new book, Generation AI, and I had to figure out how to get me one of those (hint: Fiverr).

5) Riches. Did you forget that I can be hilarious? I’ve spent much of my life trying to remind people I live with how funny I am because they often haven’t thought so. See more about the Benjamins in the section below. Also, do people still say “Benjamins”? I’ve been too busy writing a book to find out. As the lottery ads go though, “Hey, you never know.” Maybe your royalties will be so impressive, you’ll be able to take that sabbatical you always dreamed off – or at least buy a bar of Dubai chocolate. (I was going to joke about affording a dozen eggs, but I just tried ordering from two different online grocery stores and all their eggs were sold out, so apparently you can’t buy them even if you can afford them.)

Great, so you want to write a book? Are you sure? Or, are you out of your (@&*ing mind? Here’s why NOT to write that book you always dreamed of. If no one else will give you a reality check, this is what you need to read:

6 Reasons NOT to Write a Book

1) Writing Time: I wrote a shorter-than-average business book. It still took a long time to write. Well, maybe not as long as a long one would have taken.

2) Editing Time: Someone probably has a great quote about how authoring a book is 10% writing, 90% editing. If not, you can credit the source to me. “Authoring a book is 10% writing, 90% editing.” Well, that’s if you’re really good at it. For me, it was probably more like 25%-50% writing, and if I do another book, I need to spend even more time on the editing side. That unfortunately doesn’t equate to less time writing. It just means you need to edit like a mother@($*er, and then edit the @(%*ing @($* out of it some more. You can attribute that quote to me too.

3) Marketing Time: Wait, you said you actually want people to read it? Unless you’re already a successful published author or luminary who has a hefty advance and a marketing team that comes with it, you’re going to have to do a lot of legwork yourself. I am so grateful for all the work my publisher’s team is doing – it’s considerable, and they want to sell a lot of books. But if you want the book to be more than a calling card for existing contacts, there’s a lot you’ll need to do yourself. Many of those ideas will involve giveaways, guest appearances, and other endeavors that take extra time to prepare for.

4) Fluff. Most business books don’t have a lot to say. I noticed that some of my chapters could be written as lengthy blog posts rather than what felt like a chapter. I was good with that; why spend time writing something no one needs to read? Many business books could be condensed to a single blog post. If your book idea can, just write a really good blog post instead. More people will read it.

5) Money. Do you want your book featured in the window of the Peoria mall’s bookstore? That costs extra. Want to create some giveaways? Mo’ money. Want to create all these marketing materials for your book? You probably can’t because you’re a writer, and writers only have so many useful skills, so you need to pay other folks to do the things.

6) You’re antisocial and/or humble. Do you like avoiding other people? Too bad because you are publishing a book and now need to tell everyone about it. Did I mention I wrote a book? And that you can win a copy here? Yeah, I’m cringing too. But please, enter.

And please, don’t write a book. Unless you’ve got something you need to say in book form. And you’re fine with all the reasons not to write one.

David

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