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Can one achieve success in the book industry in an underdeveloped or developing country like Nigeria, where people are said not to have a reading culture? This is a question frequently posed by aspiring authors who are part of my platform, which focuses on teaching individuals how to establish themselves in the expert industry, particularly in the realm of book writing. This article seeks to address these concerns.
As Joe Coleman once remarked, the esteemed French Marshall Lyautey once instructed his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener voiced his objections, claiming that the tree’s slow growth meant that it wouldn’t reach maturity for a hundred years. In response, the Marshall declared, “In that case, there’s no time to waste; plant it this afternoon!” Amateurs with short-term mindsets view the world through the perspective of the gardener, while those with long-term goals approach every venture, be it education, stock investment, or book writing, with the mindset of Marshall Lyautey. Although it may sound cliché, it’s worth reiterating that nothing of value ever comes easily. As Malcolm Gladwell eloquently pointed out in his book “Tipping Point,” reaching the tipping point in any endeavor requires approximately 10,000 hours of dedicated practice, or roughly ten years of consistent effort. Therefore, expecting to achieve overnight success in the book industry is akin to trying to expedite a pregnancy – it’s simply impossible under normal circumstances; the process must follow its natural course of nine months.
A careful examination of three highly successful authors – Malcolm Gladwell, Daniel Pink, and Tony Robbins – reveals a common thread among them: prodigious output. Take Malcolm Gladwell, for example. He is an author who pays meticulous attention to detail; when describing a subject, he paints such a vivid picture that readers cannot help but remain captivated until the very end. Even when writing about seemingly mundane objects like a door key, Gladwell delves into minute specifics such as its color, size, texture, brand, make, and even the type of iron used to create it, including the location of the mine and the technology employed to convert iron ore into ingots and finally into a key. It comes as no surprise that all of his books, including “Outliers,” “Blink,” “The Tipping Point,” “What the Dog Saw,” and “David and Goliath,” have become instant bestsellers. How did he develop these skills? Gladwell honed his craft over many years as a journalist, with more than two decades of experience at The New Yorker. On the other hand, Daniel Pink is recognized for his trend and research orientation. He closely observes emerging trends, conducts in-depth research, and writes about these topics in an uplifting manner that compels readers to devour his tomes. Hence, it is hardly surprising that his books “Free Agent Nation,” “A Whole New Mind,” “To Sell Is Human,” and “Drive” have all achieved tremendous success. Tony Robbins, on his part, excels as both a master motivator and a skilled storyteller. He possesses such natural talent in these areas that his books, including “Unstoppable,” “Awaken the Giant Within,” and “Money: Master the Game,” have all become runaway bestsellers.
As you can see, Malcolm, Daniel, and Tony not only possess tremendous output but also a deep understanding of their respective subjects. These attributes are what make publishers willing to invest millions in them. Becoming a literary sensation overnight is an impossibility. Attaining worldwide acclaim requires years of hard work and perseverance. Let’s consider the case of J.K. Rowling. As a single mother, her first Harry Potter fantasy novel was rejected by numerous publishers who believed it lacked market potential. Yet, she remained steadfast in her belief in the value of her work and pressed on. Today, the Harry Potter series is the best-selling book series of all time. The subsequent film adaptations propelled Rowling to become the richest author in the UK, with an estate valued at over $1 billion as of 2014. Similarly, the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hanson faced over 400 rejections from major publishers who doubted the saleability of story-based books. Likewise, the initial book in the Guerilla Marketing series by the late Jay Conrad Levinson was self-published. Today, it is the most renowned marketing brand in history, with over 21 million copies sold and translations into 62 languages. These books are required reading in MBA programs at prestigious institutions around the world.
What is evident, even among these initially self-published authors, is their significant output, unwavering focus, and belief in themselves – in other words, their persistence and determination. They did not merely write a single shallow or even excellent book, upload it to Amazon, compose a celebratory song announcing its release, and expect the world to flock to their door, as many amateur authors do. Furthermore, these authors did not set out to create bestsellers. They wrote about subjects they were deeply passionate about, and their enthusiasm shines through their work. Therefore, the key ingredients for an author to attract readers, followers, and admiration are multiple books (ideally more than three, but the more, the better), a niche that allows individuals to express their passion, and most importantly, depth. Without depth, no one will take an author seriously. Depth necessitates focus, contemplation, and fervor. Depth requires forging a path no one else has traversed, developing a unique writing style, and fostering a sense of individuality, which acts as both the foundation and the icing on the cake.
Ryan Holiday, the author of five iconic titles, including “Trust Me, I’m Lying,” “Growth Hacker Marketing,” “The Obstacle Is the Way,” “Ego Is the Enemy,” and “The Daily Stoic,” with a combined total of over five hundred thousand copies sold, advises aspiring authors who seek lasting success to create what he calls “timeless work.” By this, he means delving deeply into subjects, exploring the roads less traveled, and avoiding fleeting fads. If you aspire to become like the luminaries mentioned here – Malcolm Gladwell, Daniel Pink, Tony Robbins, J.K. Rowling, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hanson, Jay Conrad Levinson, or even Ryan Holiday himself – start writing today. You never know where your endeavors may lead you. Disregard seeking accolades; when you produce quality work, recognition will naturally follow. Do you have a story within you? Begin sharing it today. Let the conclusion of one tale mark the commencement of another, and within a decade, you may find yourself celebrated as one of the immortals. Your book has the power to grant you immortality.
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