5 Reasons why you don’t need to write a book

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People ask me all the time how they can get a book deal. So I had my agent write a post on how to get a book deal. But really, I’m telling you, you probably don’t need to write a book. Every time I ask someone why they want to write a book, they have a terrible answer.

So instead of worrying about how maybe you need to get a book deal, consider these reasons why a book deal is no good for you:

1. People who have a lot of ideas need a blog, not a book.
A blog is more immediate, so you'll get better feedback. And getting feedback as you go is much more intellectually rigorous than printing a final compendium of your ideas and getting feedback from the public only when it’s too late to change anything.

Many people think they have a ton of ideas and they are brimming with book possibilities when in fact, most of us have very few new ideas. If you have so many ideas, prove it to the world and start blogging. There is nothing like a blog to help you realize you have nothing new to say.

And, if you do end up having an amazing blog that focuses on one, big grand idea with great writing to boot, then you can get a book deal from your blog.

2. A book is an outdated way to gain authority.
It’s true that lots of people think that book authors are the people with authority. But anyone can have good ideas, and only some good ideas fit into book format. On top of that, the people who are on the cutting edge of any topic are not waiting the two years it takes to deliver new ideas in a book. Instead, they're reading articles and blogs and discussion online with all the immediacy of the Internet.

So if you feel like no one is giving you credit for having good ideas because you don’t have a book, think again: Maybe your ideas just aren't that good. Or maybe you are trying to get credibility with people who don’t know how to assess authority in the information age.

3. Books lead to speaking careers, but speaking careers often lead nowhere.
This reason actually works, because one thing a book really does provide is enough traditional authority to get you speaking gigs. People who schedule speakers are reluctant to give you a slot unless you have a book published by a top-tier publisher.

But before you get giddy about those huge speaking fees that take you to Hawaii and Belgium, remember that the life of a public speaker may not be what you expect. You don’t really connect with people and work with them, but instead flit from city to city making one-hour connections and then leaving. Also, it’s great to get a gig in Newport Beach, but usually it’ll be Bismarck or Birmingham. And the constant travel will keep you so tired that you’ll become numb to those chic-chic accommodations.

But really, the biggest problem with the life of a public speaker is that it is so tenuous, because you have to speak about what you do, but if all you do is speak, then it’s a Mobius puzzle that ends with you having nothing to say. So most speakers have to eventually figure out what to do after the speaking is over. Which means why not just forget the book and figure out your post-speaking career before you even start?

4. You’ll make more money per hour flipping burgers than writing a book.
The odds that your book will be a best seller are absolutely terrible. Writing fiction is an impossible life unless you hit the jackpot. There’s a great article in the New Yorker about a relatively famous, established novelist who cannot support himself on book advances. I can’t find that article, but just trust me: It’s a very very hard industry to survive in.

Nonfiction books are a better bet for personal survival, but this is not to say books are big money makers. Most nonfiction books are paperback originals which means they are $50,000 advances, and most of you could earn more than that spending a year in an office.

On top of that, a book costs so much in time that it’s a cost center which you have to justify by deciding what you are using the book to sell. And that’s the crux of all of this: That a book is a marketing tool. You can market your company or yourself or your blog or an idea, but you need to have something you want the book to support.

5. When you’re feeling lost, a book won’t save you.
A book will not give you direction in life. A book is something you write in order to get you to where you’re going. If you have nowhere to go, a book will insure that you stay where you are: Lost.

People use books like law school. They think if they have some piece of paper — a degree, a contract — then people will respect them and then they’ll respect themselves. But self-respect comes from having some sort of vision for one’s life and heading in that direction. And there is no one who can give you that vision — you have to give it to yourself, and before you can feel like you have direction, you have to feel lost — and lost is okay.

So stop with the idea that you need a book. Most people who think they need a book deal probably need to answer the question: What will I be doing two years after that book? Do you really need the book to get where you want to go? Probably not.

251 replies
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  1. Sass
    Sass says:

    Facinating ideas but there still are people who
    prefer paper to computers and in respect of those
    people i think that people should keep writing books.
    Its not like everything written on the internet
    is permanent.It is actually much easier to destroy and also it makes easier for people to steal your ideas
    and present them as their own, it only takes few clicks afterall and you might never find out.
    Internet is like outer space to us who do not know
    how to control it also
    if something were to happen will there than be no history left behind?
    Destroying all the books is far more complicated you know.

    -Sass teenfitnessblog.blogspot.com

  2. piai
    piai says:

    There is already far to much negativity in the world. I hope that anyone that reads this looking for help and compassion will look at it as a challenge instead of crushing their dreams.
    footballx

  3. Raffaello Tamagnini
    Raffaello Tamagnini says:

    well. I don’t know I don’t know… I still prefere reading a book than reading a blog altough a reading a book needs more concentration. So why shouldn’t try to write a book..?!?

  4. Passive House DC
    Passive House DC says:

    I really enjoyed reading this post, I was just wondering do you trade featured blog posts. Thanks for sharing your Blog with others. You really share valuable information.

  5. excel
    excel says:

    A book allows people to read electronically on their computer (like a blog), as well as on an ereader with e-ink or a physical paper book for easy readability, less eye strain, and portability. smartphones

  6. Myron Xayasith
    Myron Xayasith says:

    I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I'll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

  7. Subodh Ahire
    Subodh Ahire says:

    There are so many good reasons you mention here, must confess great research; but indeed writing a book is art. May be millions of reason against it but one tiny excuse is enough to write one good book

  8. SVF
    SVF says:

    ….and you’ve probably just killed the dreams of someone who in the future would have been one of the greatest novelists of all time.

    Nice.

  9. Andy
    Andy says:

    Excellent post. In this internet era we don’t need more New York Times Best Sellers rather we need more blogs like this one! :)

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  11. 11-year Old Author
    11-year Old Author says:

    I am an Author, and yes, I am 11 years old. I have written a few novels. I have yet to get any of them published though. It is a very hard process, pushing me to my limits. Anyway, I agree, not everyone needs to write a book. But, I disagree with you in many ways.
    Writing IS NOT, I repeat, NOT always for money, or getting your ideas out there, or having fans. Writing normally does not give you much money (besides J.K Rowling). I believe it is very theraputic. I write because I enjoy writing. I don’t care if my books never get published, or never get read. I write for me, and only me.

  12. Bob
    Bob says:

    Hey… you think wrighting a bok dose nothing. Think of the woman who wrote Harry Poter, she has 8 movies and 7 book from one seris! She has a manshion and never has to work again! And you telling me that was a waste of her time.
    Think about the twiight crazz a while ago,writeing a book is a good idea. you really don’t have the right to shoot down the good that can come out of it! I’m writeing a book so ha…

  13. Kathryn Campbell
    Kathryn Campbell says:

    Those are horrible reasons not to. I’ve wanted to write a book about my life since i was a little girl and its something im going to do.
    You’ll make more money flipping burgers? lol I highly doubt that.
    I’m not writing a book because I feel lost, I’m writing a book because I know it will help or inspire someone.
    I had two cancers when i was three and almost died. Dealt with addiction when i was in my teens and am now sober and living a very happy life.
    I say to anyone who wants to write a book DO IT! It takes all kinds of people, places and things to write a book.
    Alexander well said.

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  16. Magnus Bakke
    Magnus Bakke says:

    I can’t help but feel that this is what you get when you try real hard to write a successful book, but fail: Say you never needed/wanted one anyway, and no one “needs” to write a book, and ‘I am not a famous author because – writing books is silly’.

  17. melvin spinoza
    melvin spinoza says:

    I have so much to say I can’t say anything.Then,it follows, I must write a book and let it all hang out.Newspapers,magazine’s articles are all”books”;but a hard cover book written by one person lives on forever,where magazines and newspapers hit the trash next day after read.Gone with the wind,the only book she wrote is a prime example to write,and she was rejected by 13 publishers.What if she never wrote that one book.How about the bible.What if those”books”were never written?I could write a book rebutting all these comments written hereinabove.

  18. nick
    nick says:

    I coundt disagree with your article anymore than anything i have ever read. Have you ever heard of the expression do something you like and youll never have to work a day in your life. The times Im down, the days that seem so long and dull are quickly erased when i start writing. Maybe you dont have the passion for it, which is understandable. I had a 4 month period in my life when i had nothing to do but sit around and think about my actions. so what did i do i wrote a novel. The novel got me anywhere i wanted but lost. I found myself while writing. I choose a different avenue than i have in the past and Im glad i did so. All of your points are very validated for an extreme pessicimist. Thanks for your article and more inspiration. Words are powerful, if they werent i wouldnt still be reading your negative “blog” three years later, it is anything but motivating as a good book might be.Thanks.

  19. Melvinspinoza
    Melvinspinoza says:

    If I had written a book instead of typing the enormous court appeals and motions I would have completed my book.Not one filed court paper,because of the egotistical,prejudiced judge’s responses  ever got me a single “bean” of a reward.Just one huge wasted effort since we have no justice system,only a system wherein judge’s can blow their own horns and validate their fellow lawyers’ papers and the courts and appeals courts can extract filing fees using colors of law and false hope to the pro se litigant.NEVER allowing a pro se any validity whatsoever.Don’t believe me ;JUST  FILE ANY PAPER PRO SE WHERE A LAWYER IS YOUR OPPONENT and you will see the enormous wasted effort.That is from the lowest state court to every federal court there is.(Very seldom there will be a fair judge,but far too seldom to mention).We have one huge system where there is liberty and justice for NONE.and this will all be in my book which will be indexted as chap.1.Another example is how  our prisons are full of demoralized poor excuses of humanity,but even there we wasted trillions housing them when foreign prisons will do it for $200 per year.and the criminals would give up on crime for fear of this bad  incarceration system,yet we keep from doing this justice for the people who pay the taxes to support such a cruel system to the taxpayer.That is why the world sees us so negatively.They are not blind.Forinstance Rule 40 of the Supreme Court of the USA says “any filed case by a veteran is without costs”So I motion for this rule when filing in Federal court and they simply say:”motion denied”.THESE are  the prime examples  of what I mean by there being no justice whatsoever in the USA.And if there ever is it is very  seldom..It is like the courts are created only to put out injustices;regardless of what the law says.The judge always end up  twisting it so their fellow lawyers,or good ole boy friends,prevail.

  20. Henry
    Henry says:

    I’m writing a technical book with a major publisher.

    I’m NOT doing it for my career, money, credibility, speaking gigs

    I’m doing it because:
    1. Learn new things
    2. Challenge myself
    3. It’s fun.

    Also the author of this article does not understand the value of books to the professional community although she is right that being an author exclusively is a poor career choice. There is no money in it.

  21. Zolekaasista
    Zolekaasista says:

    I wrote the book because I was pissed, I was hurt, I was lost and trapped; and couldn’t see through my own feeling of me.  The me that allowed others to define me, to tell me what direction I wasn’t going in, but laugh at me for struggling to go in a direction.  It was like being stuck between a rock and hard place and everybody moving on and leaving you with ? Procrastating wasn’t the issue –It was what was and could be the hardest thing I could do to write —And the books was that plus I wrote and got tired of the person and things I was writing about I started healing.  Now I am a fed up and tired of writing I am ready to finish up –www.poemnovel.com 
    I needed to write the books to prove to myself that I could do it –I did and I should have kept pushing towards my other goals–I was lost to long but know I have a glimps @ the vission cause I have had a lot of opstacles along the way 

  22. Sherilyn Hill
    Sherilyn Hill says:

    Writers, REAL writers, do not write because they want to have authority over someone or because they want to make money. REAL writers write because they HAVE to. They have a story they HAVE to tell. Writing, for most, excluding the big names like J.K. Rowling and Stephan King, is a passion, like riding horses is for other people, but they have day jobs and write on the side. We write because we love it. It’s actually sad that you write this article trying to discourage someone from writing a book just by stating you can make more money doing basically ANYTHING else. A paycheck won’t matter to a real writer. And that, my friend, is the absolute truth.

  23. Aaron
    Aaron says:

    I think alot of these comments missed the point of this post. Many people seem to think that she’s discouraging folks from writing a book, when in reality I took it as encouraging people to write a blog first, and if it does well, go for the book if you so desire.

    This really was a bit of an epiphany for me, because I never thought about that you really do make more money flipping burgers than you do writing a book – I never thought about it, but now that she says it, and I start crunching the time investment and probability of big payoff, I totally agree. I make good money as a software developer, and am a huge writer of proverbs and life wisdom in my free time. But I’ve been hesitant to post my writing online in a blog because I thought that one day I might quit my job and write full time, and THEN I would get all these writings published. But now as I start to think about this, I really make plenty of money in my day job, and I ought to just write at night and post it up on a blog. So for now, I guess I’ll write code to eat and write wisdom to help people.  I won’t try to quit my job and become a full-time writer… at least not until I try out blogging and test the waters.

    Thanks for a very helpful post.

    –Aaron

  24. Nitrous System
    Nitrous System says:

    A book allows people to read electronically on their computer (like a
    blog), as well as on an ereader with e-ink or a physical paper book for
    easy readability, less eye strain, and portability

  25. Nitrous System
    Nitrous System says:

    A book allows people to read electronically on their computer (like a
    blog), as well as on an ereader with e-ink or a physical paper book for
    easy readability, less eye strain, and portability

  26. Chughes
    Chughes says:

    Great post
    for people who are on the fence considering if they should write a book or
    blog. I found a free online book about wealth creation that I am glad was NOT a
    blog.  An organized book saves you the
    time of going through countless blog entries to get the information you
    find relevant to a topic. In this case, I downloaded a pdf and printed it out
    in less than time that it would take to comb through a blog. Check out the book
    at http://www.BeRichBook.com.

    So book vs
    blog– they both have their value.

    Chuck 

  27. Chan B.
    Chan B. says:

    don’t get anything wrong here. this post points out terrible answers people have on why they need a book deal. but for some, the will is lighter/purer/cornier than just material motivations to write a whole book. needless to say, books and writers are long-lasting entertainers for the mankind over the ages.

  28. Mrssfinkle
    Mrssfinkle says:

    lady. you are just wrong in so many ways. i was laughing as i read this.
    that is all i am going to say to this. 
    you have a lot to learn.
    And I’m curious have you ever read a book? maybe then you would understand.
    I wonder how old you are because i promise you I am younger.
    you must be a very sad person. 

  29. R. Steven Page
    R. Steven Page says:

    I’m a guy who’s had his share of mental issues. I write novels. I can’t imagine life without that creative outlet. Will I ever become rich/famous? Who knows? I rise early everyday and try to do my best. I pray for good health and a little luck. And that is all one can do.

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