Chapter 1: The Reality of Writing a Flop

Creating a book that fails to gain traction can be disheartening.

I never aimed to produce a disappointing book.

I truly believed I had a compelling concept that readers would appreciate.

You see…

For several years, I contributed a well-received productivity column for Forbes.

During that time, I interviewed numerous entrepreneurs, CEOs, authors, executives, and influential thinkers.

Among them were notable figures like Howard H. White, Michael Jordan's mentor, and James Clear, known for Atomic Habits.

When my column concluded, I thought it would be a great opportunity to transform my articles and interviews into a business book.

If my column attracted readers, surely my book would do the same!

I dedicated the majority of 2019 to restructuring my articles into book chapters.

At that point, I was working as a copywriter for a major corporation.

I also drew heavily from my professional experiences.

I incorporated insights and strategies on time management and productivity at work.

Combining personal anecdotes with research, I published a book titled This is Working: Focus on What Matters and Get the Results You Deserve.

Additionally, I produced an audiobook through ACX, Amazon's self-publishing platform for audiobooks.

So, did all my efforts yield results?

I generated roughly $1,000 from book sales in the first year.

Today, it sells a handful of copies each month.

It has garnered a few decent reviews as well.

One reviewer called my book "a treasure trove" of valuable ideas.

However, those meager Amazon royalties hardly compensate for the time and resources I poured into the project.

I could have potentially earned more by pursuing other endeavors.

While it was disheartening to see the book underperform, do I regret writing about productivity and time management?

There are various types of editors, and choosing the right one depends on individual needs and skills.

Not at all.

I was deeply passionate about productivity and time management back in 2019.

Writing my book was a fulfilling experience.

Not every creative venture succeeds; even Stephen King had his share of missteps, like The Tommyknockers!

After facing this setback, I often reflect on a quote from the Bhagavad Gita:

"You have no right to the fruits of work. Desire for the fruits of work must never be your motive in working."

That being said…

Here’s what I would do differently if given the chance:

I would invest more time in validating my concept with a target audience.

Spending a week or two drafting initial chapters would be beneficial.

Then, I would share these drafts with beta readers.

I would encourage them to pre-order the book at a discounted rate.

Only if enough people expressed interest through their purchases would I commit to writing the full manuscript.

Financial commitment is crucial.

Many people express interest but hesitate to make a purchase.

This approach would allow me to invest just a week or two into a potential project, rather than several months of my life.

I would also seek a developmental editor earlier in the process.

Finally, I would devote more time to marketing my book prior to its release.

For those interested in taking charge of their time, the book is still available on Amazon.

You can also purchase it directly from me.

Chapter 2: Insights from Creative Failures

In the video titled "What It's Like to Write a Movie That Flops (feat. Thomas Lennon) - You Up w/ Nikki Glaser," the discussion revolves around the challenges of creative endeavors and the reality of facing failure in the writing industry.

Chapter 3: Learning from the Process

The second video, "DON'T TRY TO WRITE A HIT SONG: A Rant - YouTube," emphasizes the importance of authenticity and the pitfalls of chasing commercial success in creative writing.