Have you been telling yourself "someday I'll write that book"? Stop waiting.
In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Richard Nongard—author of over 30 books and founder of TwelveWeekBook.com—reveals why writing a book is far more attainable than you think.
Richard shares his remarkable journey from publishing his first book in 1994 (learning the ropes from legendary publisher Melvin Powers) to helping nearly a thousand students publish their own books. He breaks down the exact structure of New York Times bestsellers, explains why self-publishing beats traditional publishing in 2025, and reveals the simple daily habits that turn aspiring authors into published ones.
Whether you're a complete beginner or someone who's been stuck on page one for years, this episode will change how you think about writing and publishing.
What You'll Learn
On Getting Started:
- Why you should write your easiest book first (not your "best" book)
- How to identify your big idea when you have too many ideas competing for attention
- The truth about what makes a good book vs. a bad book
- Why "done" is better than "perfect" when it comes to your first book
The New York Times Bestseller Formula:
- The exact 12-chapter structure that most bestselling nonfiction books follow
- What should go in your first chapter (and it's not what you think)
- Why chapter two should focus on obstacles, not solutions
- How the "listicle chapter" becomes the backbone of your book
- The power of the penultimate chapter in bringing it all together
On Self-Publishing in 2025:
- How to publish a book in 12 weeks instead of waiting a year for a publisher
- The truth about vanity presses and why they're always a scam
- How to make your self-published book available in any bookstore worldwide
Building Your Author Platform:
- How social media creates opportunities traditional publishers never could
- Why content creation and book publishing are now inseparable
- How to turn your book into a broader content ecosystem
The Writing Process:
- Why writing 200-300 words daily is better than marathon writing sessions
- How to find time to write when you think you're too busy
- The role of AI in writing (and why it shouldn't write your book for you)
- Why writing fiction is "the best therapy there is"
On Overcoming Common Obstacles:
- How to stop cramming every idea into one book
- Why you don't need a doctorate (or even to be a "good writer") to write a book
- The difference between a memoir and a biography (and why memoirs are better)
- How to use storytelling to make nonfiction come alive
Key Quotes
- "There's no value in a great book that is never finished."
- "You don't even need to be a good writer. You just have to share your ideas with passion on the pages."
- "A book doesn't need to be thick to be good. It just needs to be finished to be good."
- "If you think you need therapy, write a book—it's the best therapy there is."
- "In 2025, there's no reason other than vanity to have a New York publishing company help you."
- "When you publish independently, you have total control over quality—the editorial content, sales, distribution, everything."
- "Write your easiest book first. Learning how to do it and actually finishing it builds skills for all your future books."
- "Most people think they have to put every idea into one book. You only need to write about the idea you want to write about."
Guest Bio
Dr. Richard Nongard is the author of over 30 books on leadership, personal development, psychology, and more. He holds two doctorates—one in leadership and cross-cultural engagement, a
