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How to Write a Book That Doesn't Suck
Discover How to Write a Book That Doesn't Suck (and Will Actually Sell!)
Wanna learn how to write a book that doesn't suck...and will actually make you moolah?
Wanna turn your creative brainstorms and expertise into a reliable source of kick-ass income?
Looking for a NO B.S., super-simple guide to getting the words in your head into words on the page that total strangers will pay you for?
Well, in "How to Write a Book That Doesn't Suck," Michael Rogan -- former screenplay reader and author of more than 38 books -- you'll discover:
- 3 Pillars to Finding a Kick-Ass Non-Fiction Book Idea
- Research Tips for People Who Hate Research
- Ultimate Guide to a Kick-Ass and Marketable Book Title
- How to Write Books People Will Love
...and so much more!
And each chapter includes easy-to-follow action steps to help you boost your writing game - without taking a single $2,000 online course.
So, why not begin your quest to book-writing awesomeness today with "How to Write a Book That Doesn't Suck (and Will Actually Sell!)"
Wanna learn how to write a book that doesn't suck...and will actually make you moolah?
Wanna turn your creative brainstorms and expertise into a reliable source of kick-ass income?
Looking for a NO B.S., super-simple guide to getting the words in your head into words on the page that total strangers will pay you for?
Well, in "How to Write a Book That Doesn't Suck," Michael Rogan -- former screenplay reader and author of more than 38 books -- you'll discover:
- 3 Pillars to Finding a Kick-Ass Non-Fiction Book Idea
- Research Tips for People Who Hate Research
- Ultimate Guide to a Kick-Ass and Marketable Book Title
- How to Write Books People Will Love
...and so much more!
And each chapter includes easy-to-follow action steps to help you boost your writing game - without taking a single $2,000 online course.
So, why not begin your quest to book-writing awesomeness today with "How to Write a Book That Doesn't Suck (and Will Actually Sell!)"
154 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 13, 2026
A practical, no-fluff guide to writing commercially viable nonfiction (with crossover into fiction). Its core thesis: Good writing isn’t about inspiration—it’s about clarity, structure, and delivering value to a reader. Nobody cares about your book—they care about what your book does for them.
Key premises:
Audience-first writing: You’re not expressing yourself—you’re solving a problem or delivering a payoff.
Hook > everything: If the first page doesn’t grab, nothing else matters.
Clarity beats cleverness: confused readers don’t become fans. They become ex-readers.
Structure is king: Strong outlines prevent weak books.
Cut ruthlessly: Most writing improves by deleting 30–50%.
Market awareness: A book must fit a category readers already understand.
Consistency over genius: Finishing a solid book beats starting a brilliant one.
tl;dr Write like your reader is busy, skeptical, and ready to leave—because they are. You're competing against tiktok.
3/5 A good way to trim the fat, the book reduces writing to a checklist and strips out artistic depth. Plus the overemphasis on selling makes it feel like content marketing, not literature.
Key premises:
Audience-first writing: You’re not expressing yourself—you’re solving a problem or delivering a payoff.
Hook > everything: If the first page doesn’t grab, nothing else matters.
Clarity beats cleverness: confused readers don’t become fans. They become ex-readers.
Structure is king: Strong outlines prevent weak books.
Cut ruthlessly: Most writing improves by deleting 30–50%.
Market awareness: A book must fit a category readers already understand.
Consistency over genius: Finishing a solid book beats starting a brilliant one.
tl;dr Write like your reader is busy, skeptical, and ready to leave—because they are. You're competing against tiktok.
3/5 A good way to trim the fat, the book reduces writing to a checklist and strips out artistic depth. Plus the overemphasis on selling makes it feel like content marketing, not literature.
October 25, 2014
There are a few useful tips here, though the snarky comments about other authors are rude and unnecessary... not helped by the constant references to left-brained people being "anal." I found this especially tacky in a book that's supposed to be about helping people with their writing, something that should be handled with tact and sensitivity.
Not recommended.
Not recommended.
January 23, 2016
A great little book I've read three times now. It is full of great ideas, tips and tricks for writing your book, making a good cover, crafting a great title and more. While reading this book I found myself shaking my head in agreement as well as laughing out loud. It will entertain you as well as enlighten you.
***If you are easily offended by the occasional swear word or straight forward language I would look else where. Although I simply ignore it and extract the principles being taught others many have trouble with this.***
***If you are easily offended by the occasional swear word or straight forward language I would look else where. Although I simply ignore it and extract the principles being taught others many have trouble with this.***
November 26, 2017
***********GIVEAWAY WIN***********
This was a really easy and fast read. He did have some interesting ideas for research and getting started, but he was VERY repetitive. Despite that I really enjoyed his writing. He is down to earth and funny.
I did find it a bad sign that he has a section dedicated to using a copy-editor since there were quite a few spelling and grammar errors (as well as just plain words missing in sentences) in the book.
This was a really easy and fast read. He did have some interesting ideas for research and getting started, but he was VERY repetitive. Despite that I really enjoyed his writing. He is down to earth and funny.
I did find it a bad sign that he has a section dedicated to using a copy-editor since there were quite a few spelling and grammar errors (as well as just plain words missing in sentences) in the book.
November 28, 2019
Not at all what I had expected. It sucked big time :(
November 5, 2017
Holy. I'm writing this review because the author has done exactly what he has set out to do within the parameters of this book, and for me- this book alone because I now know what it is the author was trying to accomplish by writing this book-make a buck. This does make one a writer. Sure there is some valuable information here, that's almost a given. I do take some offense to the fact that throughout this little ditty the author refers to these steps, if followed will make your dream of becoming a writer come true. Although I have embellished the hell out of that phrase, that is the impression he gives. Again, a writer- this book does not make.
Also stated in the bulk of this tome is the fact that if you follow these tips, then geez- never will you have a need to do any marketing, the damn thing will just sell! Great- what the author has indeed done here with this book is market himself, and this book will sell because of that marketing. Most of it is because of the title, that's why I bought it...because of the way it was marketed-through the title, my curiosity was peaked. Again, this book does not a writer make. Simply because it is now so very easy to publish a book through so many available outlets does not mean most people should do it. Because you can does not make it a good idea.
Also stated in the bulk of this tome is the fact that if you follow these tips, then geez- never will you have a need to do any marketing, the damn thing will just sell! Great- what the author has indeed done here with this book is market himself, and this book will sell because of that marketing. Most of it is because of the title, that's why I bought it...because of the way it was marketed-through the title, my curiosity was peaked. Again, this book does not a writer make. Simply because it is now so very easy to publish a book through so many available outlets does not mean most people should do it. Because you can does not make it a good idea.
August 31, 2025
Some good advice, but way too much unnecessary profanity.
November 26, 2020
This is a great book for a very niche subsection of writers. If you're looking to self-publish short non-fiction books, I highly recommend that you check this book out. It's a short read and has some interesting strategies for writing 10k to 20k-word non-fiction books about topics you're familiar with. As someone who has self-published 5 non-fiction books and has taken a year-long break, this book provided some strategies I'm going to try.
My only critique of this book is no fault of the author's, but it's my own skepticism. Whenever someone is telling me how to do something, I want proof they've done it. Michael Rogan has self-published a lot of books, but I couldn't find much evidence that they're successful or that he makes a decent income from writing. As someone with multiple income streams, I know that these numbers aren't always public, but it's just something to keep in mind.
As mentioned before, there are definitely some strategies in this book that I'm going to try out. Although I have a big goal of working with a publisher someday and writing a best-seller, this book provided me with a framework to get some practice in through self-publishing.
My only critique of this book is no fault of the author's, but it's my own skepticism. Whenever someone is telling me how to do something, I want proof they've done it. Michael Rogan has self-published a lot of books, but I couldn't find much evidence that they're successful or that he makes a decent income from writing. As someone with multiple income streams, I know that these numbers aren't always public, but it's just something to keep in mind.
As mentioned before, there are definitely some strategies in this book that I'm going to try out. Although I have a big goal of working with a publisher someday and writing a best-seller, this book provided me with a framework to get some practice in through self-publishing.
February 8, 2018
This is a very interesting book written in a very interesting style.
This is not a book about how to write, but a book about what to write about. It discusses strategically how to work out what to write and how to arrange what questions a book should answer and a what order it should answer them in.
It’s straight to the point and no frills. In fact this book is an example of what it is teaching you about.
I have read many books on similar subjects and most of them are lots of waffle. This book is a waffle free zone. It’s brief and inspiring. It doesn’t do everything for you but it tells you what you need to know to go do it yourself
This is not a book about how to write, but a book about what to write about. It discusses strategically how to work out what to write and how to arrange what questions a book should answer and a what order it should answer them in.
It’s straight to the point and no frills. In fact this book is an example of what it is teaching you about.
I have read many books on similar subjects and most of them are lots of waffle. This book is a waffle free zone. It’s brief and inspiring. It doesn’t do everything for you but it tells you what you need to know to go do it yourself
August 17, 2020
I appreciated the author’s personality, though I can see why some reviewers were turned-off by it. This wasn’t a literary masterpiece, but I also knew that going into it and wasn’t looking for that. I wanted ideas, action items, and not to be put asleep. This book delivered and I found myself pausing and making notes through every chapter. I got what I wanted from it and was never bored by it because of the author’s humor and straightforwardness.
January 18, 2019
Outstanding. No fluff.
He gives you a system for writing. Loved his chapter on titles but would have liked him to share about Amazon searches instead of Google using KDP Rocket. Makes even more sense to me. Great job!
He gives you a system for writing. Loved his chapter on titles but would have liked him to share about Amazon searches instead of Google using KDP Rocket. Makes even more sense to me. Great job!
August 25, 2017
Some really great tips for the novice writer. I like the writing style and action steps.
February 24, 2019
Simple, direct, amusant et pratique. Va à l'essentiel. Ecrit avec humour.
March 19, 2021
Good, quick read
There is a lot of good stuff in this book. I like the fact that I didn’t have to wade through two or three chapters of hype to get to the meat of the subject.
There is a lot of good stuff in this book. I like the fact that I didn’t have to wade through two or three chapters of hype to get to the meat of the subject.
April 5, 2021
Very simple overview of writing non-fiction informational books.
February 13, 2022
Some good points
The language felt too casual and disrespectful at times. But some points are worth applying especially toward the last chapters.
The language felt too casual and disrespectful at times. But some points are worth applying especially toward the last chapters.
April 17, 2014
Straightforward and entertaining
Fun read that gets to the point and shows you exactly why, what, and how. I've never considered myself a writer and this book gives me a great framework to use that makes sense and makes me want to write.
Fun read that gets to the point and shows you exactly why, what, and how. I've never considered myself a writer and this book gives me a great framework to use that makes sense and makes me want to write.
October 19, 2016
This book is a little gimmicky and simplistic (i.e., mine the table of contents, check bestseller lists),
but is also entertaining with tips and tricks that are surprising useful. The author possesses a great voice with a good balance of sarcasm and wit.
but is also entertaining with tips and tricks that are surprising useful. The author possesses a great voice with a good balance of sarcasm and wit.
August 2, 2022
Engaging and enthusiastic style. If you come away from this book with just one new idea, it's worth the price of admission. I suggest paying attention to the section on self-editing. His detailed approach is a roadmap to a well-polished manuscript.
June 9, 2020
Es útil porque compila un montón de información, y lo hace con un tono informal, sin dejar de tomárselo en serio. De todas formas, es información que también esta compilada en otros libros. De todas maneras es útil e interesante.
August 2, 2016
Great book
Great info in a fun, quick read way. Wish I would have found this sooner! Will check k out his other books now :)
Great info in a fun, quick read way. Wish I would have found this sooner! Will check k out his other books now :)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews