Have you ever created something and then just thought it’s the best thing you’ve ever done?
That’s sort of how I feel about MicroBook Magic.
Back in November 2022, when the world was starting to get back to normal after all the Covid lockdowns, I realised something was changing.
In 2020, I’d had one of my best years, business-wise. I think because people were at home, and found themselves wanting to create something as an antidote to fear, and get their teeth into a big old project, and I found myself working with a lot of people to help them write their books.
But in 2022, that changed. I couldn’t sell my services for love nor money, and it wasn’t that people weren’t writing; they were.
A conversation with my good friend Misty shed a bit of light: people were tired, man. It wasn’t the money that was the problem, necessarily; it was the time and the sustained focus.
The idea of doing a 3-month writing course or a 6-month coaching programme was a lot. Too much.
So Misty suggested I strip it all right back and make it tiny. MICRO.
And what if, instead of a normal-sized book, I helped people to write nibble-sized MicroBooks? Over a handful of weeks?
I loved this idea.
Apart from anything else, I love tiny things. Miniature stuff is so cool, right?
So MicroBook Magic burst into the world and I ran Season 1 in November 2022 over 4 weeks.
It’s evolved hugely since then (now it’s 8 weeks and has a clear structure and place for all the resources to live) and it keeps getting better and better.
Every season, my clients absolutely knock my socks off with their sparks of genius and their enthusiasm and the wonderful manuscripts they create… and this Season 6 is no different.
At the end of the 8 weeks, we celebrate with an Author Showcase on Zoom, and this season is happening on Tuesday, and I would love for you to join us!
Here are the details:
- Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
- Time: 3.30pm GMT
- Venue: Zoooooom
- Cost: Free, baby!
You’ll hear from each of my MicroBook Magicians — a little about who they are and why they’re writing this book. Then they’ll read a short excerpt from their manuscript.
The chat box will be open throughout for you to share your insights and ask your questions.
And maybe, if you have an idea for your own book, it’ll give you the nudge you need to get started!
Sign up here and save your spot:
Have you done that? Excellent. It’s time for the Friday Goodie Bag…
It’s time to plant seeds
After the US election results, and the resulting awfulness of people whose hatred of anyone not like them has been given legitimacy, it’s easy to start feeling hopeless. Because let’s face it, the world currently looks like a dumpster fire.
But it’s not all like that. Not everyone supports fascists. Not everyone is full of hate. And we have to remember that, because feeling hopeless and falling into apathy is exactly what authoritarians want.
This article by Sherrilyn Ifill reminded me of that and shared this idea:
“If this is the nadir, then it is planting time. Building our own institutions, theories and strategies, making art and seeding ideas that can be carried forward in the coming years. Yes, the harvest will come. But for now, we plant.”
Make your art. Speak your truth. Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Be kind. It has never ever been more crucial.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke’s protest haka in NZ’s parliament
THIS is the kind of action we’re talking about. NZ’s (white) politicians wanted to enact a bill that would roll back indigenous rights (in a country that was literally stolen from the people who lived there) and this woman was having none of it.
She’s been criticised for disrupting the rules of civility in parliament but let me goddam tell you about the rules of civility: they are created and enforced by those who abuse power to keep the rest of us quiet because they KNOW that nothing has ever changed, no freedoms have ever been won, by people who are “polite”.
Be a fucking nuisance.
Watch this haka and feel your feelings because it makes me cry every time I see it, in any context. It reaches down into the core of my humanity, and yanks out what we are: social creatures who are stronger together than divided, and it shows us what community is.
Louis Grenier’s book box fort
Louis Grenier, recovering Frenchman, has just launched his new book hurrah! And I am delighted for him because he is a Good Human, a great writer, and a fantastic marketer. He also loves calling out bullshit and I’m here for that.
Anyway, he’s been neck-deep in book launching for weeks now and he shared this little snippet about what he’s doing to send his book out into the world.
Check it out — swipe his ideas — adapt for yourself.
Pavement cracks + a whole new world
What could you do with coloured chalk and a crack in the pavement? Or a brick in a wall?
David Zinn creates whole new worlds. I love this.
What can you create in the world to surprise and delight people randomly? Give it a little thought and then go and do it. Report back.
My thoughts on writing with AuDHD
My buddy Charlie Daly has a fantastic podcast called Notes from a Ghost and he’s invited me on a couple of times now.
Here’s my most recent outing, in which we talked specifically about writing with ADHD and what tools and techniques I use for myself and my clients when mainstream writing advice is, ahem, aggressively unhelpful.
What I’m reading
I am currently reading Laurie Canciani’s The Insomnia Museum. I met Laurie on LinkedIn when she connected with me, and we got chatting, and she told me she writes fiction. Of course I wanted to check her out — and I was intrigued by this book so I bought it.
(I told her I bought it and absolutely made her day — honestly as a writer, there is no greater delight than someone telling you’ve they’ve bought your book, other than if they later tell you how much they love it. So go buy the books of people you like, then tell us.)
Anyway – I’m only a few chapters in, but so far I am very much enjoying it. The writing style is really interesting — it gives an odd, off-kilter feeling to the narrative which is very in keeping with the subject — a teenage girl who has always lived with her dad, a shut-in hoarder, and has never been outside. I’ll report back when I’ve finished!
What I’m writing
Well. I am of course continuing with my next MicroBook, but honestly I’m chugging along right now and it’s not that interesting. But… my buddy Marc Thomas invited me to a small group of people who are all creating something that has nothing to do with our businesses.
I couldn’t think what to do at first, but I’ve decided — I’m going to write a very short play around aerial equipment — trapeze, hoop, silks, rope, pole dance — and incorporate music and dialogue and dance. I don’t know what about at the moment, I’m formulating ideas. But I think I might go with adapting a fairytale or a folk tale, and seeing what happens.
What might you want to make, just for fun?
And with that — have a wonderful weekend and don’t forget to book your space on the MicroBook Magic Season 6 Showcase!
How to work with The MicroBook Magician
Nonfiction Book Ghostwriting: Idea to book in just 20 weeks
Buy My Book: How the hell do you write a book?
VIP Book Breakthrough Day: Make a quantum leap in book progress in just one day
Book Coach In Your Pocket: Your first draft done (or all but) in just 30 days
MicroBook Magic: Write your MicroBook in just 8 weeks
Creative Playground: Write every day + get advice, support, and bonus access to my workshops! (1 week trial for £1)