SPS 107: How To Write A Perennial Bestseller If You’re “Not A Writer” (Dr. Henry Cloud Interview)

TL;DR

Dr. Henry Cloud shares his insights on writing perennial bestsellers and turning a book into a series.

Transcript

hey chandler bolt here and joining me today is dr henry cloud uh he's the new york times bestselling author of a bunch of books including the book boundaries uh necessary endings changes that heal and a bunch of other books his books have sold nearly 20 20 million copies um he's also a leadership consultant uh working with ceos fortune 500 companie... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Writing a perennial bestseller requires a combination of valuable content and effective marketing strategies.
• 🌍 Authors should write about topics that align with their skills, passions, and the needs of the world.
• 🤑 A book's success heavily relies on word-of-mouth recommendations and the author's efforts to promote it.
• 💆 It is possible to write books that cater to specific needs, even if they don't have a mass market appeal.
• 🤩 The key to writing successful books is to provide value and solve a problem for readers.
• 🪡 The author should be willing to adapt their content to fit the changing context and needs of their audience.
• 📔 Publishers can provide distribution and support, but authors should not solely rely on them for marketing their books.
• 👋 Writing a good book involves the process of conceptualization, gathering content, creating a structure, and consistently pursuing the writing process.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Dr. Henry Cloud decide to write the book "Boundaries"?

"Boundaries" emerged as a result of the high demand for the subject during public seminars. Dr. Henry realized that people had a lot of questions about boundaries, and writing a book seemed like the best way to provide answers.

Q: What are the three important factors to consider when choosing a book topic?

According to Dr. Henry, it is crucial to ensure that you are good at the topic, care about it passionately, and that there is a need for it in the world. If any of these factors are missing, the book might not be as impactful.

Q: How did Dr. Henry Cloud avoid being pigeonholed as the "Boundaries guy"?

While "Boundaries" was a significant success, Dr. Henry did not want to be limited to just that topic. He expanded his expertise to include other areas, such as leadership and relationships, to ensure a broader impact.

Q: What is Dr. Henry Cloud's writing process like?

Dr. Henry starts by noticing recurring themes or issues in his work and life. He keeps a file of potential book ideas and gathers information on those topics. Once a book emerges as the standout idea, he sets deadlines and word count goals to ensure progress.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dr. Henry Cloud is a bestselling author known for his book "Boundaries" and has sold nearly 20 million copies of his books.

• "Boundaries" was not his first book, but it became a bestseller after he realized the demand for a book on boundaries during public seminars.

• He advises aspiring authors to focus on what people keep asking them about and to ensure that their writing passion aligns with their skills and the needs of the world.