Write Useful Books: A modern approach to designing and refining recommendable nonfiction

by Rob Fitzpatrick

Writing a nonfiction book is a wonderful project, allowing you to preserve and share the most important things you’ve ever learned. Plus, a successful book will improve your reputation, your career, your earnings, and the lives of your readers.

This guide proposes a different way of planning, writing, testing, and refining nonfiction, adapted from the hard-won lessons of product designers and entrepreneurs. When applied properly, it leads to books that can grow organically via reader recommendations for many years, without relying on either heavy marketing or a large author platform.