You have a great idea! But will it be a great book?

guest post by Michelle Waitzman

I was recently asked in an interview, “How do you know which of your ideas you should turn into a book?” As a non-fiction author, my ideas for books are triggered by my curiosity about a particular subject. For novelists, they might come from a snippet of overheard conversation, a news story, or even a dream. Most authors are “ideas people,” who are constantly thinking of potential new topics or stories. But not all ideas will make a great book.

I’ve put...