Everyone has a book inside him or her, so it is said,
however I particularly believe if you are a family historian you may have
several.
What to Write About?
Before we answer the question of why you should write a
book, let’s address what you should possibly write about in your book.
First, you have been collecting information on hundreds if
not thousands of dead people over many years. Picking away at every intimate
detail of their lives. I’m sure there is a story or two in there that you would
love to share in a book. Use your family
history as the inspiration. Many a great book has been written on far less.
Aside from those family stories, there is also your own
story. Perhaps your journey in revealing your family history has been
adventurous. Maybe a memoir based around your personal journey of uncovering of a family secret, a tragedy
or just an epic event in your family history is worthy of sharing. Possibly you returned to your
ancestor’s homeland, discovered long lost living relatives, found a family member
you never knew existed. So many possibilities for a book lie within your family
history and within your experience of researching your ancestry.
Then there is your knowledge of genealogy. Perhaps you have
become an expert in a particular discipline of genealogy and you want to share
your understanding with a larger audience, you may wish to consider a
non-fiction book.
Do you feel you have a perspective to offer that hasn’t been
covered? How do you know? Simply go to Amazon
and search for the topic you are interested in writing about? Go ahead I will wait
here while you do that.....(fingers tapping on desk)
What did you find? Is there a need for your brand of
expertise, is there a gap in the knowledge that is available? Can you offer a
different or unique perspective? Is the most recent book long outdated and it’s
time for a new and improved version....yours. Then perhaps a non-fiction book
is in your future.
Maybe you transcribed a collection of documents in your own
genealogy research, could others benefit from your work. Have you considered publishing that collection?
Even though many documents are digitized
and on the internet, not everything is available. Perhaps you have a collection
you could provide in book format or better yet an ebook format. Who wouldn’t pay a
small price to download and have accessible to them a collection of documents
important to their genealogy research on there ebook reader no less?
Most likely you and I are not going to be the next New York Times
bestseller but there are still many advantages to writing a book, some much
more practical then fame and fortune. Although nice if you manage to achieve
both, most of us do not.
However, gone are the days of thinking you have to be some
great talent to write a book, gone are days where writing a book is an elusive
dream. Today it is practical to turn your knowledge, your experience and
your stories into a viable, profitable book.
Today the reality exists that writing a book is for all
practical purposes a great business move. If you’re in the business of
genealogy then a book can benefit you in a few ways.
The Benefits of Writing a Book
- It gives you credibility- a book can catapult you into an expert. With a book to your name, it can open up speaking engagements at genealogy conferences and at genealogy societies. It can expand your business opportunities as clients see you as an authority.
- It expands your current business clientele, brings you new clients, as you will be viewed as an authority simply by virtue of accumulating your knowledge in a book format.
- It can be your calling card- a business card of sorts, perhaps expensive but at the end of the day, it serves as a great marketing tool for the rest of your business.
- If offers you another income stream – perhaps you already have a list of services you offer your clients, a book can be an alternative income stream. It probably won’t make you a millionaire, but it might pay a bill or two.
If you’re not looking to use your book as a
business tool, but still have a story to tell, then tell it. Aside from the
business opportunity, a book is a great expression of you, a means of
communicating with the world and a remarkable way to leave a legacy.