The First Step to Writing a Nonfiction Book

Want to know the super-important, often-overlooked first step to writing a nonfiction book? (We consider skipping this to be at the top of our imaginary “nonfiction mistakes” list.) If you want to write your memoir, a self-help/personal growth book, a spirituality book, or any kind of transformational nonfiction, this first step will save you a … Read more

Author Spotlight: Shanita Liu, Author of Dear Durga

Image of author Shanita Liu and the cover of her new book: Dear Durga

We are so excited to share an interview with one of our clients who has recently published her first book! We hope you’ll be inspired by her journey to share her lessons about courage with the world. So without further rambling (long intros are the worst, right?), let’s chat with Shanita Liu about Dear Durga: … Read more

Are you stuck? How to get writing again!

focus on finger typing on laptop computer

What’s the #1 issue aspiring authors hit as they reach for their book goals? They’re just not writing! Regardless of their good intentions, the words are not flying on the page the way they’d like. Sound like you? If so, you may need to ask yourself the world’s simplest question: What’s really going on? Yeah, … Read more

Author Spotlight: Teri Dillion, Self-Published Author of “No Pressure, No Diamonds”

I’ve known Teri Dillion for over a decade, having first met on a month-long meditation retreat in Colorado in 2008. Back then if you’d asked me about her, I would have spoken of her devotion to her practice and her penetrating blue eyes. Today, if you asked me about her, I would speak of courage, … Read more

How to Make Videos to Promote Your Book

[VIDEO] How to Make Videos to Promote Your Book

Launching a book will teach you a lot about yourself. About your capacity for great things, your ability to persevere, and your willingness to try new things. One of the new things I tried while launching The Book You Were Born to Write was starting a YouTube channel. Turns out I love making videos! And … Read more

The #1 Key to Writing a Book That Sells

There are a thousand different reasons to write a book: You might be writing it for your heart—because you just have to. You might be writing it for your art—creative expression in action. You might be writing it for your clients—so you can hand them all your wisdom in one nifty package. And you might … Read more

How to Find Out If Your Book Is “Good Enough”

When I was 9 years old, Madonna released the album Like a Virgin. I had just discovered WZPL, the pop music radio station in my hometown, and I was a Madonna superfan immediately. Overlooking content that was thematically questionable for the under-10 crowd, my mom bought me the Like a Virgin cassette tape. I played … Read more

Are You Ready to Write Your Transformational Story?

Are You Ready to Write Your Transformational Story?

I recently finished reading Tara Westover’s extraordinary memoir, Educated, about her fundamentalist, abusive upbringing in rural Idaho—and how getting an education saved her. What a gripping story, written beautifully. Just the kind of unflinching memoir I love. For all of you aspiring memoirists out there who wonder whether anyone would want to read about the … Read more

3 Clues that You’re a Gifted Writer

3 Clues that You’re a Gifted Writer

“Am I a good enough writer to become a published author?” This is a query we get from aspiring authors every single day. I’ll admit it: For years I’ve shied away from the straightforward yes/no response clients are looking for when they ask a question like this. I simply haven’t seen it as my job … Read more