Richie Norton

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”  ― Madeleine L’Engle

I recently came across Tim Grahl’s book, Your First 1000 Copies: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book. This one’s a keeper.  He’s spot on.

I’m bombarded with questions about writing and publishing since The Power of Starting Something Stupid and Resumes Are Dead and What to Do About It came out. However, what about marketing a book. You see, publishers publish. They print and distribute books. The burden of marketing and spreading the word so people actually buy it generally falls to the author. (Sad, I know.) To that point, I’ve been lucky. From what I’ve heard from other authors, my publisher was surprisingly more supportive in the marketing area. So grateful. Thanks guys!

So what comes first, the book or marketing?

Here’s the deal: if you want to write a book, don’t you want people to read it? Silly question, right? Wrong. Unless you’re already some famous dude, people aren’t waiting to read (let alone BUY) a book from you. Too many aspiring authors don’t think about that part.

But lo and behold, Tim Grahl has saved the day–Your First 1000 Copies will teach you how to create a system that builds a platform to connect authors with readers.

I’ve never worked with Tim and he certainly hasn’t asked me to blog about his book. I’m doing it because it’s that good. The book is short and hit-yourself-in-the-head simple. He’s put into practice the principles he teaches with authors like Dan Pink, Hugh Howey, Dan and Chip Heath, Pamela Slim and many more. I’m recommending it to anyone who wants to market anything.

If you think you have a book in you, even if (especially if) you think it may take a few years to get it out there, get.this.book. The sooner you start the better.

If you’re really into learning this stuff, check out his course on CreativeLive here. I watched it. I liked it.

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P.S. Sign up now to get your FREE copy of the 76 Day Challenge (an action guide to The Power of Starting Something Stupid so you can more fully live Gavin’s Law and be happy) here: The 76 Day Challenge.

P.P.S. What’s Gavin’s Law? Read about it on Jonathan Fields’ blog.

P.P.P.S. What’s this “be happy” thing all about? Read about it in my interview on Gretchin Rubin’s blog. 

P.P.P.P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about the book-writing and marketing process, send me a note with your questions here. I’m curious.