Top 12 Reasons You Should Write a Book This Year

There are SO many reasons to write a book. But when you’re in the throes of the process, it can be hard to see that light.

And even more to take your book a step further by learning how to publish a book effectively.

Most of us want to write a book. Maybe we like the idea, maybe we think it will be easy.

No matter why you came up with the idea to write a book, there are reasons to consider in order to make your book the best it can be.

Because a big struggle writers have is sticking with it.

They often wonder…

• Why should I keep going?
• What’s the point of writing this book?
• Why did I even start this in the first place?
• Is it really worth all this work?

Well, as difficult as it can be to keep going when you’re unclear as to why you started, there are reasons to write a book.

And we’ll cover the most impactful ones that can keep you pushing to finish your draft.

Here are 12 reasons to write a book:

1. You are a writer
2. You’ll discover who you are
3. You’ll have a professional piece of work
4. You’ll make money from writing a book
5. Amazon can do the heavy-lifting
6. Our time here is finite
7. You’ll reignite a passion
8. You’ll be a professional author
9. You’ll accomplish a new challenge
10. You’ll gain knowledge
11. You’ll stop making excuses
12. Because you CAN!

Click to jump to that section.

You’ll try to decide whether you’re emotionally, financially, and physically ready to take the plunge. But until you become a parent, you’ll never know how amazing, enriching, and challenging your life could be.

Once you become a parent, you know that your life will never be the same.

These same concepts apply to becoming an author. Until you’ve ushered new creative life into the world you have no idea the incredible, myriad number of ways writing a book can better your life – and even your business.

You’ll ask yourself why you waited so long to make it happen.

We’re here to tell you that you should write a book, and you should do it this year. If not now, then when?

Here are 12 reasons why this is the year you’ll write your book.

#1 – You are a writer (you just need to write)

Listen, everyone can be a writer. Each one of us has a story to share. In fact, most of us have more than one story to share.

The simple truth is that in order to be a writer, you just need to write. And to become an author, you just need to publish what you write.

At Self-Publishing School, we’re here to tell you that both of these worthy goals are within your reach. You just need to start—today.

[Pssst! Want to see some of our Students’ published books? Check out the SPS Library here!]

#2 – You’ll discover who you are.

By its very nature, writing is an introspective, thoughtful activity. The process of writing a book will force you to turn your thoughts inward. Through writing, you’ll gain perspective about what really matters to you.

Writing a book will also teach you about the unique value of your own willpower.

The simple act of committing to a writing project, and seeing it through, will measure the depths of your discipline. Writing a book can be a powerful way to get in touch with your thoughts, values, and motivations.

Plus, writing is cheaper than therapy!

#3 – You’ll have created a professional-quality, ready-to-sell book.

It used to be that only writers with a publishing deal or those who paid for vanity publication ever got to see their books in print. Those days have changed.

Thanks to the rise of self-publishing, any person with a story to tell can become a published author and sell their book. Self-publishing is now affordable, easy to implement, and requires only basic computer skills.

If you can type your book on your keyboard, you can figure out how to self-publish. As your own publisher, you call the shots. You’re the CEO of your own destiny.

Even better, you get to retain more of the royalties if you self-publish. What’s not to like?

#4 – You’ll pocket a healthy chunk of change.

The brilliant ideas you have kicking around in your head aren’t earning you any money. Only once you commit those ideas to paper and hit publish will you earn income from your thoughts.

Your book can earn you a stream of passive income simply by existing.

Check out just how much by filling out our book profit calculator below:

And then there’s the future—audiobooks, courses based on your book, and speaking gigs! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You can make money off your self-published book—but you need to write it first.

#5 – You’ll let Amazon do the heavy lifting.

Amazon self-publishing is easier than ever. Amazon makes it intuitive and straightforward for authors to upload and sell their books.

They’ve also made it easy for readers to find and buy your book. It’s a win-win.

That’s not to say that you can set up an Amazon page and let it flap in the breeze untended. In order to sell your book, you’ll need to do some marketing and PR.

The good news is that Amazon gives you the tools and resources you need to succeed.

#6 – Our time here is finite.

Nobody’s getting out of this life alive. Our time here is finite. It’s our choice how we want to spend it. If you’ve ever wanted to write a book, don’t wait for a life crisis to force your hand.

The time is now.

You have a chance to share your words, thoughts, and passions with the world. Don’t let that chance slip through your fingers.

#7 – You’ll reignite a passion.

Each one of us has a passion for something—whether that’s rock-climbing, organic cooking, or comedic storytelling.

What’s your passion? You already know the answer to that question.

Here’s our next question: When’s the last time you stoked that passion? If that answer is “I can’t remember” or “it’s been years,” then you’ve got some work to do.

You owe it to yourself to explore your passion and write a book. We promise that when you’re writing about something you love, it won’t feel like work.

#8 – You’ll be a pro author.

Only 1% of the world’s population ever publishes a book.

That’s a heady statistic. By writing a book, you set yourself apart from the masses.

Even if your book is fiction or a memoir, the fact that you’re now an author lends an air of authority to your professional endeavors.

You can now add “author” to your CV, LinkedIn, and professional website.

In short: No matter what you write a book about, becoming a published author boosts your professional authority.

You’ll have accomplished something few other people have.

Our preemptive greeting: Welcome to the Author Club!

We guarantee you’ll like it here.

#9 – You’ll tackle a new challenge.

Life has so many obligations—taxes, school pick-up, miles on the treadmill—it can be easy to fall into a daily rut. Writing a book is leaving your comfort zone.

Trying something unfamiliar can be scary—we get it. But that’s why it’s exciting.

The only way you grow as a person is by forcing yourself to leave your comfort zone. Time to jump off the cliff—write a book and become an author this year!

You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll gain by pushing the limits of your own self-imposed boundaries.

#10 – You’ll gain more knowledge.

Writing a book requires research. No matter what topic you’re writing about, you’re going to have to research new concepts and topics.

By opening the door to new ideas, you’ll educate yourself. You’ll be invigorated by how much you learn while you’re writing, and emerge brighter for having done so.

And when you’re done, you can assert yourself as an expert in your field. Your book can then open the door for speaking engagements, conference presentations, and other professional networking opportunities.

#11 – You’ll stop making excuses and just do it.

We know, we know, you’ve been mulling over the idea of writing a book for months (years?) now. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this article.

How long are you going to give yourself permission to keep quashing your dreams?

It’s time to commit and just do it.

#12 – Because you can!

And you will! No more excuses. You can’t afford to put off writing a book any longer. All that counts is that you get your first word on paper, and then a word after that.

Before you know it, you’ll have a completed first draft. Think about how amazing you’ll feel! Don’t put it off another day. Write your book today. This is the year for you to finally become an author.

Are you FINALLY ready to take action?

The only difference between an author and anyone else is the fact that they wrote the book. They started.

And you can start TODAY.

Writing a Book FAQ

How do I start writing a book?

Start with a clear idea of what you want to write about. Create an outline to organize your thoughts and break down the writing process into manageable steps. Set aside regular time for writing and stick to a schedule.

Can anyone write a book?

Yes, anyone with a story to tell or knowledge to share can start writing a book. It doesn’t require prior experience, just dedication, and the willingness to learn and improve.

How much money can you make writing a book?

Earnings from writing a book vary widely based on factors like sales, marketing efforts, and the publishing route chosen. Self-published authors can earn a higher percentage of royalties, while traditionally published authors might receive advances and lower royalty rates.

How long does it take a beginner to write a book?

The time it takes to write a book varies depending on the author’s schedule, writing speed, and the book’s length and complexity. On average, it can take several months to a year to complete a manuscript.

How much does it cost to write a book?

The cost of writing a book can vary. For self-publishing, expenses may include editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing. These costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the quality of services you choose.

What to do before starting a book?

Before starting a book, research your topic thoroughly, create an outline, set clear goals, and establish a writing routine. It’s also helpful to read books in your genre to understand the market and refine your writing style.