Hey, thinking about writing a book? I never thought I’d be an author, but here I am with four books under my belt!
My journey started with a career guide I co-wrote with Steven Pang, a fellow recruiter. We started with the premise of combining our blog posts, and voila – it wasn’t that easy. It took another year of editing before our first book was born.
Next came an ebook for aspiring entrepreneurs, riding the crowdfunding wave. I gathered my entrepreneurship writings and created an ebook through a local tech company’s publishing platform.
My third book is still in the works. It’s actually for my kids, in case I leave this world early (morbid, I know, but my dad died young and I barely knew him). I want to leave something meaningful behind.
And of course, there’s my fourth book that I’ve been talking non-stop about lately. 👉 No More Bosses – The Journey to Sustainable Self-Employment
With all this buzz, friends and new acquaintances keep asking how to publish their own books. Seems like I’ve inspired a few kitchen dreams!
So, why write a book?
For me, it’s about sharing knowledge and experience. Sure, I could blog or tweet, but a book? That’s next level impact.
It’s also a great way to stand out in your field. Take my friend Steven LOCK, PCC – his books on interviewing skills put him leagues ahead of competitors with just training slides when he was still a professional trainer. Or Adeline Tiah 謝善嫻 , who parlayed her book on reinvention into a thriving training business.
When I was starting as a career coach, handing out my book gave me an edge over those with just business cards and flyers.
For others, like Tim Ferriss, it’s about getting an important message out there.
Now, how do you become an author? I’ve tried three routes, each with pros and cons:
1. Self-publishing (most effort, but most control)
2. Crowdfunding
3. Smaller publishers (like Candid Creation)
4. Traditional publishers (like Penguin)
My first book was with Candid Creation Publishing. They handle everything like a traditional publisher but de-risk by having authors buy all books at wholesale. For “Everything You Wish to Ask a Headhunter”, we paid $7 per book (I think) and bought 1,500 copies. After markups and splits, we made about 50 cents profit per book.
Traditional publishers like Penguin Random House (who’s publishing my upcoming “No More Bosses”) take on more risk. They cover all costs, offer an advance, and pay royalties based on your reputation.
Landing a traditional deal usually requires a unique book proposal. My publisher values Southeast Asian perspectives, so find your angle!
Self-publishing means handling everything yourself – editing, formatting, distribution. It’s more work but can be more profitable. Paul Millerd, for example, sells “The Pathless Path” online to maximise his returns.
Each path has its trade-offs. Consider your goals and pick what works best for you.
Ready to join the author club?
