End-of-Life University

Ep. 490 How to Write Non-Fiction About Death, Dying and Grief with Joanna Penn

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Learn why and how to share your end-of-life wisdom and stories by writing a non-fiction book.

My guest Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She is also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Her most recent publication is the 2nd edition of How to Write Non-Fiction: Turn Your Knowledge Into Words. Today we discuss the challenges of writing non-fiction books about difficult and personal subjects like death and grief. Joanna offers her best tips and encouragement for anyone who wants to write a book but doesn’t know where to begin. Learn more about her work at her website:

thecreativepenn.com

Get the book here

Watch on YouTube

Listen here:

This episode includes:
  • Types of non-fiction books and how to choose the best format for your subject matter
  • Why you don’t have to be an expert or “great” writer to write a book
  • Why and how to identify the target market for your writing
  • Choosing the best title for your book (and why it’s important)
  • The balance between writing what you think people need vs. what people want to read
  • The challenge of vulnerability in writing memoir
  • Why you need an outside editor or proofreader for your book
    • Links mentioned in this episode:
    • Joanna’s online bookstore: https://creativepennbooks.com/en-us
    • My interview on The Creative Penn Podcast: Writing About Death, Dying and Grief
    • My interview on Books and Travel Podcast: Memento Mori: How Travel Can Help Us Deal with Death and Grief
    • NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving
    • Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death
    • Get EOLU Podcast Merch here
    • Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here
    • Leave me a message by email: [email protected], Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
    • Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Soul
    • Subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Stitcher Radio
    • Check out the Series I’ve recorded in the past here
    • Join the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously!
    • Buy me a coffee
    • Donate on Paypal

      • If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, especially my newest supporters Morgan Everitt and Minda Sanchez. Also thank you to everyone who has bought me a coffee or donated on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.

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      End-of-Life UniversityBy Karen Wyatt MD
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