As part of the Nonfiction Writers Conference a few months ago, in addition to co-presenting how to “Become a Better Writer,” I enjoyed consulting with nine aspiring authors on their books and book concepts. The book concept is an especially creative and fun aspect of book coaching.

Afterwards, I thought a “perch on my shoulder” view might provide you some insights into the scope, voice, length, features and narrative structure of your book. Perhaps the experience will open up new ways of seeing your book and clarify your book’s concept and structure.

Nonfiction Book Chapter Template

I recently worked with a writer who is an expert in her field. As a template, when working with such books, I often suggest starting with a story from your own experience or that of a client (with their permission). You can follow the story with advice and insights that come out of the story, as well as add additional teaching and research. I also often suggest that self-help, business, or how-to books can be especially valuable to your readers when you include experiential exercises, such as prompts.

This author wondered whether to include interviews with other experts in her field, how long her book should be, and whether to include additional material so that those in her field could use her material in their own groups.

Here are my questions for her, along with my suggestions to consider and the advice I have. I hope it sparks some clarity and insights for you!

Should I Write a Short Book?

This writer has already written many of her chapters and they are short. “Are they too short?”  she wondered. “Would it help to add the experiences of other experts?”

As I told the writer, there’s not necessarily a right and wrong answer. Sometimes the best way to answer a question like that is to try it.

However, I had a hunch, so I asked more questions.

Specifically, I asked, “Does the book have a narrative arc on its own without additional experiences from others?”

Yes, the book has a narrative arc and each story has a narrative arc, too — descent, initiation, return.

In that case, I was concerned that adding more stories within each chapter, or adding chapters, might complicate an elegantly simple book.

Also, the experts in her field are already overworked. They might appreciate a short book that helps them solve their problems more than a longer one that does the same thing.

So, my advice was to feel free to try one interview and see if it was helpful, but perhaps to let that go since the shorter book might be even better.

One thing she’d said to me struck a nerve: “I wonder whether it’s not enough?” I think that’s such a common theme, especially for women in helping professions. I have worked with many women who overgive at the expense of their own health and financial well-being. So, I wondered whether “not enough” was coming from an inherited or cultural belief system of not being enough, rather than coming from an intuitive, creative place.

Should I Interview Other Experts for My Book?

As mentioned, the writer was considering interviewing other experts.

I shared with her that one thing about interviewing people for a book is that you need to be a solid interviewer. Now, given her field, she is likely a great listener and able to get people to open up, knows how to ask open-ended questions, and so on. That’s a significant plus.

My experience is that the average interview subject does not open up easily. They provide you with some broad basics, but not the details that make for compelling storytelling. And that can make for a Zzzzzzzzzzzzz read. So, you need a few tricks up your sleeve!

How to Conduct a Great Interview for Book Content

There are entire books on this subject. Here’s my short answer for how to interview people for book content and to capture compelling stories:

1. Start with simple, easy questions to put the person at ease.
2. Ask open-ended questions. Avoid questions that are easily answered with yes/no or one-word answers.
3. Follow up with an even more open-ended question: “Tell me more about x,” to get your subject to expand upon anything they said.
4. You can also pause (even for a long time) to see if they will elaborate on something they said. Silence is an effective tool for conducting an interview with a subject.
5. Take notes, even if you’re recording. If something happens to the recording, you still have the notes.
6. Make eye contact. Nod. Show you’re listening.
7. Ask about specific details: Where were you? Describe the setting for me. What was it about her ____? What was going on inside your mind/body? What did that feel like in your body?
8. Ask for sensory details: What did you hear/see/smell/feel/sense? Round out the information with specific senses they may not have included yet.
9. Ask for dialogue: What did you say? What did he say?
10. Look for action: What did you do?

Near the end, review your notes and identify where you still need more information to provide a complete description/picture/experience for your readers. Don’t worry if you need to revisit the same subject or a similar question multiple times.

How to Repurpose Interviews to Reach More Readers

I suggested to the writer that if she didn’t use the interviews in her book, she could still utilize them during her promotional efforts.

Get permission ahead of time from interviewees that the interview material can be used in the book (they may wish to see the excerpt before you publish — perhaps even offer to make changes) and also can be used by you in a podcast, social media, in a blog post, etc. If you have them sign a waiver at the outset, you have much more freedom and flexibility with what you do.

Tag the interviewees in any clips you share and perhaps even request their support in sharing before you post.

You could even use some of the interviews in video or audio clips that can be accessed through QR codes in the book. That’s an engaging feature that many readers appreciate.

More About Using Video and Audio in a Book

Here are some benefits of including video and audio through QR codes in a book:

• Video and Audio content helps you connect more deeply with potential clients and collaborators, so that they know, like and trust you.
• You can seed services, programs, and courses, either by having clients/participants share their stories in your video or by sharing more of your inspiring self. This can lead to them signing up for your offerings.
• Engaging stories, instructional videos or audio meditations can enhance the reader experience and the perceived value—and actual value—of your book. This can increase book reviews, sales, social media shares, etc.
• This high-value content can raise visibility: my clients and I have won numerous book awards with books that are engaging in this way.
• Training/teaching videos can attract speaking and training gigs, as well as other opportunities.

Do You Need Help with Your Book Concept?

I hope this post has given you some ideas to enhance your book concept and structure. If you’re serious about writing the most inspiring, compelling and valuable book for your readers, consider signing up for a book concept consultation with me.

You’ll have me to guide you through answering the challenging questions that come up when you’re writing a book. And we can brainstorm creative solutions and ideas that make your book truly stand out!

We can address and brainstorm everything from:

• target market
• which book to write
• features
• tone
• length
• voice
• creative and synergistic aspects
• structure
• title and subtitle
• publishing path

and more!

These sessions fill fast. By mid-May, I was booked through July and early August. I’m now ready to reopen my consultations. I have space for two authors in the second half of August and two in the first two weeks of September—none in the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October. You can find out more about the full package here or sign up for your book concept consultation package here.

Note: If you sign up for a consultation package by August 2, I will automatically include the publishing decision at no extra cost (a $300 add-on). So, use the first button when you sign up, even if you want to add on the publishing choice support, in which case you’ll save $300).