Hello, Modern Authors!
I get this question all the time:
And the truth is? Yes. Absolutely.
Every time I’m gearing up for a new project—whether it’s launching a thought leadership book or stepping back into the Pennymores universe—I revisit the same 10 books.
Not because they’re trendy.
Not because they’re bestsellers.
Because they actually make me better.
Better at structuring ideas.
Better at building stories.
Better at finishing what I start.
So today, I’m opening my pre-game reading list to you—books I come back to again and again to sharpen my clarity, strengthen my creativity, and write in a way that resonates.
Let’s get into it:
1) The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Core Insight: Battling Resistance - Every author encounters the internal force of resistance, the self-sabotaging habits of procrastination & doubt. Overcome it by turning pro & showing up daily.
2) The Practice by Seth Godin
Core Insight: Shipping Creative Work - It's not about the outcome but the commitment to the process. Establishing a practice & consistently delivering value is key. Here's a clip from Seth's visit to my class to discuss his book.
3) The Iconist by Jamie Mustard
Core Insight: The Power of Blocks - Make your message stand out using primal laws of “blocks.” In the noisy digital age, ensure your work grabs & retains attention.
4) Wonderworks by Angus Fletcher
Core Insight: Storytelling Techniques - Understand the science behind storytelling. Harness techniques that have been refined over centuries to connect deeply with readers. There's a science behind stories that resonate.
5) Wired for Story by Lisa Cron
Core Insight: Brain & Story Connection - Dive into the neuroscience of how stories captivate our brains. By understanding this, one can craft a narrative that resonates.
A Couple Quick Thoughts (aka Eric's Interlude...)
These books are all great at helping with some very tactical elements of 'writing' your book. But one thing that surprises MOST first-time thought leadership authors I've worked with is you don’t write the book; you build it:
- stories are 60-80% of your content
- writing is non-linear
- it’s less ‘how to’ and more ‘why to’
- 40-50% of nonfiction books are bought as audiobooks
Just be prepared that the hardest part of building a great book is understanding the structures of the book, the chapters, and the stories. It'll be harder than you anticipated -- not because it's hard, but because it's different than most of us have ever done in our writing.
If a book is part of your 2025 goals, reach out and I'd love to chat about our Summer or Fall 2025 Manuscripts Author Community.
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Now back to the list...
6) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Core Insight: Unleashing Creativity - There is a process you can design to spark creativity & overcome artistic blocks. The practice of 'morning pages' can revolutionize your writing.
7) On Writing by Stephen King
Core Insight: The Craft & Life of Writing - A blend of memoir & masterclass, King offers valuable insights on the rigor, routine, and passion essential for writing.
8) Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Core Insight: Step-by-Step Guidance - Embrace the journey of writing. Take it bird by bird. Lamott's personal insights about the writing process are gold.
9) Indistractable by Nir Eyal
Core Insight: Mastering Focus in a Noisy World - Discover techniques to keep distractions at bay & channel your focus into meaningful work, including your writing projects. We spend an entire session in the Manuscripts community going deep on the psychological obstacles that Nir reveals in his writing that affect nearly every first-time author.
10) Deep Work by Cal Newport
Core Insight: Intense Focus & Productivity - Newport advocates for the benefits of deep, undistracted work. Harnessing this can lead to prolific writing & groundbreaking insights. Plus Cal is a fellow Georgetown professor (and a great human).
🔍 What Most People Miss About Writing a Thought Leadership Book
The biggest surprise for most first-time authors?
You don’t “write” a book.
You build it.
The structure is non-linear.
The content is 60–80% stories.
It’s less about “how to” and more about “why now.”
And audio? It now makes up 40–50% of nonfiction book sales.
The truth is: writing isn’t the hard part.
Engineering your ideas into a compelling experience—that’s the hard part.
But once you learn the rhythm? It changes everything.
What's Next?
Alright, Word-Wielding Warrior... that's a wrap on my ten pre-game picks for a thought leadership author!
I hope your reading glasses are warm from devouring that list! But here's my cheeky challenge to you: once you've soaked up the insights from these literary maestros, set them down and grab your own quill (or laptop). Because, let’s be real: while these books can guide, inspire, and mentor you, the absolute best way to learn the magic of book writing? Dive headfirst into the writing waters yourself! Remember, every chapter you pen is a step closer to your masterpiece.
So, go on—transform from reader to writer, and let your story unfold.
Write on!
Eric
PS - We're taking applications for our Summer Modern Author Accelerator Program. If you're looking for a way to package up your expertise, knowledge, and insights into something worth announcing to kick off your 2025, reach out and I'd love to chat.
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Originally published in The Modern Author newsletter.
