Which Book Should I Write?

“Which book should I write?” This was one of the primary questions a client asked on a recent book concept consultation call. And I get this question often. Perhaps you’re wondering which book to write. Maybe both books are similar but with a different audience or angle. Or perhaps you have several book ideas calling that are quite separate.

The answer depends on a number of things. I explore various considerations with my clients:

• What are your short- and long-term goals and how does each Book Idea fit?
• Who are the readers you are already reaching? Do both books address the same audience or is one more for the people you already reach?
• Which book is easier to write?
• Which book do you feel more excited about writing?
• Is one book much faster to take to market (such as a journal vs. a research-heavy book with lots of stories)?
• Which book is more marketable?
• If you plan to write both, is one book more obvious as a first choice, and the other better to follow after it?
• What does your muse want you to know about this decision?

So, let’s dissect these considerations in some case studies, and perhaps you can get clearer in your own book.

Which Book to Write Case Study

Jessica had two books in mind. Book Idea 2 supported her long-term goals of addressing a new audience that partially overlapped her current audience. She was super excited about exploring the new book’s topic. She also wanted to garner a traditional publishing deal and have a big impact on a large number of people with her book.

Book Idea 1 was for her current audience and covered the topics in most of her workshops and speaking gigs. Book 1 would require some work on growing her platform but would not require her to start from scratch. Book Idea 2 would require much more work on growing her audience in the new topic and more time to implement that platform development. It would take much longer to have that book published, particularly if she wanted to get a traditional book publishing contract, which was important to her.

Book Idea 1 also was for a more defined and focused audience. Book idea 2 was broad. While broad means that the ultimate pool of readers could be more significant, selling a book to a more general audience can also be much harder. The fact that Book idea 1 had a focused audience and one she was already reaching would be a big plus with agents and publishers. They would be confident of her ability to reach many people in this audience and sell something to them because she was already doing that! Book Idea 2 would take much more convincing.

I asked whether she felt excited about Book Idea 1. “Yes.”  Could she see herself enjoying writing that first book? Yes, she could.

How might it feel to write the second book after that? “Good.”

OK, it’s time to ask the muse which book to write!

Checking in with the Creative Muse

We then took our questions to her muse or creative source, as I guided her through my Meet Your Muse exercise, which you can play and use yourself to gain clarity on questions you have about your book or other creative projects. As Jessica asked questions of her inner muse, the answers came from deep inside her and she felt clear that, yes, Book Idea 1 wanted to be written first.

Her muse also indicated that it would be OK to work on both books at the same time, focusing on the book proposal for Book Idea 1, but jotting down ideas and short sections for Book Idea 2 when inspiration struck. She felt excited to be able to work on both at once. While I recommend working on one book at a time, there are always exceptions to the rule. Her muse was clear that this would be a positive, and we both sensed this was true.

I find that when we take into account both the marketplace and the muse, the strategic considerations and our intuitive wisdom, we make optimal choices. It’s important to know what your vision is. And, especially for a nonfiction author, understanding what factors weigh into how the marketplace might respond is helpful. However, making decisions solely based on marketing can be a mind trap. The book must also align with your inner life so that you can write an exceptional book that resonates with readers and has the kind of impact you envision.

Do you have any book-related decisions you’re struggling with? Feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Also, list your questions and try the “Meet Your Muse” exercise below. Share your experience in the comments as well!