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Real thought leaders write books. That’s the conventional wisdom, at least. But is it as simple as that? Here's what potential authors need to consider.

External conflict is what makes the reader turn the page to find out what happens next. Internal conflict makes the reader care.

One day, an elderly man phoned me up out of the blue. He was looking for someone to help him write a book about his life. His English was impeccable, and he had an accent that I couldn't quite place. Then he said something that made my jaw drop: he was a Holocaust survivor.

Few achieve extraordinary destinies, but those few do not serve as the sole source of inspiration or solidarity. That to which we can relate delivers the most profound impact upon those of us who live ordinary lives, because that’s where we recognize ourselves.

Nature writing, true crime, history, essays, memoir, and narrative journalism all have this in common: if the writing is not compelling, the reader will put it down.

Beyond video, audio, and photography, writing may be the most powerful way to preserve and share family history. Journalist and speechwriter Stephen Martin shares why.

A book’s backstory is often as interesting as the idea behind the book itself—if not more so. What happens when publishing your book doesn't go to plan?

Gotham CEO Dan Gerstein recently joined host Josh Elledge on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur podcast. The podcast was created to “encourage entrepreneurs to share not only their expertise...

“So what?” is one of four tests that agents and editors will apply to your book proposal. They want to know—and fast—why this book is unique, and why readers would be motivated to buy it.

You may be a writer, but you need to also consider yourself a marketer if you want readers to find your work.

It’s sometimes difficult to identify the mistakes that stem from poor planning. The first step to correcting them is knowing what they look like.

I have found that, no matter how efficacious the program or credentialed the author, it is a rare thing indeed to find a self-help manuscript that is written with clarity and depth and with just the right amount of encouragement and spirit.