Promoting Professional Geekery #43 – Cooperate On A Book

(For more Promoting Professional Geekery, see this Roundup of past columns.)

So you’re really not up for writing a book on your particular progeeky subject.  Fine, that gives me a room to sell more.

But still you might have knowledge that’ll help on a book.  You may have editing skills that would come in handy.  You may be able to do cover art (and of course pick up a credit).  You may pen an introduction, you may . . .

. . . well you get the idea.  You could be a big help in getting out that progeeky book on careers, or skills, or whatever your friends, family, or co-workers are working on.

Go for it.

1. You probably have something to contribute to a book of some kind, even if it’s a viewpoint.  Ask just what that something or somethings are.
2. You likely know people who want to write a book, or people that do want to write a book; probably they’ve already talked to you about it.
3. If you don’t, mention to people that you’ve got an interest in helping people on certain subjects.  They may know someone or have advice (or point you in other directions).
4. If you help one person, they may know others you can help.

This may sound simplistic, but as a writer of books, let me note a few things:

• Putting out a book is pretty bloody hard.  Any support is appreciated.
• Almost no one is able to do a book on their own, and those who can do a book on their own probably shouldn’t (usually there’s a need for editing).
• Authors need all the support they can get – sometimes it’s that extra person that gets the book out.

So, you’re not up for a book.  You can just help make others possible in the realm of progeekery.