Howdy Modern Authors,
There are a lot of hacks about writing out there.
- Use Pomodoro or do 'Morning Pages.'
- Start with this one-of-a-kind 70-page outline in Scribner... or just write while you're drunk.
- Or the latest one... AI will write it for you in a weekend
All... well maybe most... have some merit.
But one of my personal favorite pieces of advice came from a product guy at Amazon:
Write the back cover page of your book first.
That product guy is Colin Bryar... and he should know a thing or two about launching something successfully. The idea of starting at the end and working back to the start is the secret behind Amazon's success and what it codified in his book Working Backwards.
I convinced (read twisted his arm) to get Colin to speak to our Modern Author community. Initially, I was personally more interested in his war stories from Amazon than his advice on book writing. He spent 12 years at Amazon, including two as Jeff Bezos’ technical advisor, a role often called "the shadow." His job? Sit in on every meeting, debate, and decision as Amazon scaled into a trillion-dollar company.
But right away, he said something that struck me:
And Colin told me the biggest advice he had for authors... Work Backwards.
- Write the back cover of the book first... because it answers the question most of your early readers truly have: Why You.
- Design the launch plan for the book first... because it helps you determine who you are writing for.
- Package up your offers you want the book to sell first... because it ensures you have a business model.
Honestly, every Modern Author who succeeds works backwards. (And it's why they succeed tbh).
In this edition of Write Like a Thought Leader, we're going to break down Colin's Working Backwards writing framework, his 9-part chapter structure built on operational rigor, narrative clarity, and decision-making wisdom. And it's entirely based on that simple idea that great writing starts at the end and works backwards.
Whether you’re writing for startup teams, enterprise leaders, or future-forward builders, this is how to structure content that’s tactical, teachable, and scalable.
Let's dive in (backwards of course):
When to Use This Framework
First, let me put in a plug for the book.
It's great, and one of those books I actually read quite regularly as an entrepreneur myself. And as a thought leader, I think it's really something more of us can learn from. The book talks about writing the press release and the FAQs before you do anything else... and I'd be the first to tell you, modern authors looking at their book as a way to create leverage for more speaking, clients, coaching, credibility, and opportunities could benefit from that approach.
Now, if you're writing a business book that appeals to leaders, executives, or anyone trying to level up in their workplace, this framework is really compelling for structuring your book.
Best For:
- Operational and systems-based nonfiction
- Innovation, scaling, product development, and decision-making
- Thought leaders turning frameworks into real-world action
Great Fit For:
- Business books rooted in real-world company lessons
- Content for B2B, SaaS, consulting, product, or executive audiences
- Teaching "what works" through principle + process
If your writing is about execution, systems, or leadership, this is a gold mine. Why?
Because his framework helps readers:
✅ Understand complex decisions through clear narrative logic
✅ Apply Amazon's tools to their own teams or companies
✅ Think like a builder, not just a storyteller
✅ Trust your ideas because they are tested with real rigor
Colin’s chapters combine research, story, principle, and step-by-step walkthroughs. It’s not flashy. It’s functional. And that’s what makes it powerful.
The Working Backwards Framework: Colin Bryar’s Chapter Structure
Colin and coauthor Bill Carr use a consistent narrative system that makes each chapter feel like a deep-dive case study with a repeatable takeaway.
Here’s a 9-step template based on the structure of Working Backwards:
1️⃣ Start With the Big Decision (400–600 words)
- Open with a pivotal choice, moment, or product launch.
- Frame the stakes clearly: What was at risk? Why did this matter?
Why it works: Creates tension and relevance for the reader.
2️⃣ Introduce the Backstory (400–600 words)
- Share the context leading up to the decision.
- Include personal roles, timelines, team structure, or internal goals.
Why it works: Anchors the moment in a system readers can visualize.
3️⃣ Break Down the Process or Tool (500–700 words)
- Introduce a key Amazon process (e.g., six-pagers, PR/FAQ, Bar Raisers).
- Explain its origin, steps, and how it changed behavior.
Why it works: Teaches systems, not just outcomes.
4️⃣ Share a Real-World Implementation (600–800 words)
- Walk through how the tool or concept was used.
- Highlight one team, moment, or product (e.g., Kindle, Prime Video).
- Use clear narrative flow + team dynamics.
Why it works: Demonstrates how it plays out in reality.
5️⃣ Reflect on What Worked (400–600 words)
- Highlight what the team got right.
- Include early signals, feedback loops, or internal wins.
Why it works: Shows the payoff without sounding boastful.
6️⃣ Share What Didn’t (300–500 words)
- Reveal a missed opportunity, blind spot, or friction point.
- Show what Amazon adjusted or how it evolved over time.
Why it works: Builds credibility through transparency.
7️⃣ Extract a Leadership Principle (300–500 words)
- State a clear takeaway (e.g., "Narratives trump slides.")
- Connect it back to the decision and tool.
Why it works: Codifies wisdom into an idea readers remember.
8️⃣ Offer a Repeatable Framework (400–600 words)
- Provide a checklist, template, or visual model.
- Show how others can apply it outside Amazon.
Why it works: Moves the idea from theory to execution.
9️⃣ Loop Forward to the Next Innovation (300–500 words)
- Preview what Amazon (or you) tackled next.
- Use it to set up the next chapter.
Why it works: Keeps the reader hooked while signaling progression.
ChatGPT Prompt: Working Backwards Writing (Colin Bryar Style)
"I’m writing a nonfiction chapter using Colin Bryar’s Working Backwards Framework. Please help me:
- Frame the chapter around a key decision, launch, or moment
- Explain the context and systems that shaped the event
- Introduce a core tool, process, or mindset shift
- Share a real story or product where it was applied
- Reflect on what worked and what didn’t
- Extract a leadership insight
- Provide a checklist or tool others can apply
- Close by hinting at the next innovation or learning arc
Here is my draft or summary: [Insert Content]"
Final Word for Modern Authors
Writing a book like Working Backwards is much harder than people imagine...
Most authors simply want to tell war stories, rather than really deconstruct the lessons and frameworks behind those stories. And that's part of why I love this writing approach and framework for authors.
There are a lot of business and leadership books that aim to teach what worked from a successful company, product, team or leader to the mass market. Most struggle because they wind up being more about the company, than their unique approach.
Working Backwards is quite the opposite... it's a system-first, that just so happened to be a driving force behind the most valuable company in the world.
If you want to write for builders, leaders, and operators, this structure delivers, but it'll force you to deliver a framework first, rather than a set of inspiring stories.
The Working Backwards framework is not about inspirational fluff. It’s about thoughtful mechanics.
Happy Writing Y'all.
Eric
PS - We're organizing our 2026 Modern Author Cohort now, and if you're keen to make your book happen this year, grab 15 minutes and let's work backwards: https://go.oncehub.com/ManuscriptsBookTopicChatf
Originally published in The Modern Author newsletter.
