Write Your Book

On my first day of work at Catalyst, after being a pastor for 10 years, I sat in my barren office - messenger bag on the floor, brown bag lunch on the shelf - and started reviewing the company's resources.

One of the first videos I watched was a piece by John Maxwell called "How I write." He was seated at a desk and in a deep, gutteral way that only John could pull-off, he said...

"Everywhere I go, people ask me how I write so many books... So I tell them." (Pause for effect) "I pull out a yellow legal pad and pen... and... I... write." (Insert self-amused chuckle) "The reason most people never write a book is because they never actually write."

I went home that night, profoundly struck by the simplicity of writing a book, but also knowing how arduous it would be. I had been "pregnant" with a book about church planting, but lacked the confidence, the discipline, the courage, the whateverittakes to get the book out of me.

At the time, we had two kids who napped every afternoon, so I ran a plan by Ainsley: Could I go out on weekends and write for three hours each day? And then on Wednesday, could I not come home for work and write into the evening?

In six months, Church in the Making was written.
At the Suwanee, Georgia Starbucks.
Three days a week, three hours each time.

I created a system whereby a book would result.

Hear me out... I believe I believe in a creative meritocracy.

I don't believe you have to be a celebrity or the pastor of a megachurch to deserve to write a book. Listen, we give faaaar too much glorty to the publishing process. We cry I'm unworthy, I'm unworthy. But why? It's simply putting your stories or propositions in a bound, printed form, for crying out loud.

You... yes you... can do this.

Publishers would have you think that it's an honor for you to talk to them. Ohmygosh a publisher wants to talk to me! So we sell the rights to our soul-born ideas, make $1 a book, and stand-by helplessly as the publisher points a bony finger at you and asks What are you doing to promote your book?

Whatha?

So we're launching Dream Year Books.

It's a process that will help you write your book this year - come hell or highwater - and do it in community with others. Not only this, but we will do all of the editing, design and publishing services for you. You will have your book in your hand this time next year. And you will earn the lionshare.

Hope you'll check it out: DreamYearBooks.com

And hurry, this is good til March 31

Comments

[DC Curry]

Love this!

[Christy]

Brilliant!!

[Tammy]

Major decision time. What an awesome concept.

[Aaron Foster]

Benji, you never cease to amaze me... Your ideas, creativity, and most importantly your action is inspiring. This is just another one of them awesomesauce kinda Ben Arment projects. Absolutely love it my friend.

[Felicity]

I'm just one grad school rejection from signing up! : )

[Ben Arment]

I'll root for rejection then! =)

[Ben Arment]

Aaron I miss you friend. I'm coming to Iowa this spring

[Aaron Foster]

I'll polish my tractor, press my overalls and be ready....just name when and I will be there.

[Daniel Decker]

Well played.

[Mitch]

I listen to this podcast called Fourcast. They make predictions with guests and speculate on what the future could look like.

This week (last Monday) they were discussing publishing. One of them stated that now was the perfect time to launch a new kind of publishing company.

Rooting for you Ben! Let me know how I can help.

[Brenton Balvin]

Ben, your continued creativity, helpfulness, and execution continually blow me away. Of all the blogging pastors in the world 7 years ago, that I bumped into you, is nothing short incredible. God bless this venture.