Thought Leader with a Story to Tell? Here's What to Write About a Book
You know you have a book in you.
You’ve lived it, built it, led it, solved it, or coached it. You have insights people ask for constantly—in boardrooms, in client conversations, after keynotes. So why does the question “what to write about a book” feel so overwhelming?
The truth is, professionals like you don’t lack material. You lack the mental white space to zoom out and shape what you already know into a narrative worth writing.
What if the thing you take for granted every day—your process, your principles, your pivots—is the very thing someone else needs to hear?
Key Takeaways
- Discover 10 structured and strategic angles for writing a non-fiction book as a professional or entrepreneur
- Learn how to turn your expertise into a framework that can be shared, scaled, or licensed
- Understand how your professional story can become a compelling leadership narrative
- Explore ways to write a book that attracts opportunities (speaking, media, consulting, or growth)
- Break free from generic advice and get concrete inspiration for what to write about a book
- Think beyond memoir or how-to—and identify book ideas that elevate your brand
- Understand the difference between thought leadership and expertise—and how to write for both
These Ideas Might Just Unlock the First Page
If you’re a professional or entrepreneur, writing a book isn’t just a creative endeavor—it’s one of the most strategic credibility moves you can make.
It transforms your expertise into tangible authority. It builds trust before you speak, opens doors before you knock, and elevates your name in rooms you haven’t entered yet.
A book can travel where you cannot. It speaks on your behalf long after meetings end, conferences conclude, or projects wrap up.
In a world full of voices competing for attention, a well-positioned book declares, “I’m not just part of this conversation—I’m leading it.” And perception follows. Clients begin to see you differently. Media start to take notice. Event organizers, podcast hosts, and decision-makers look at you through a new lens.
So before you even ask what to write about a book, ask yourself: What do I want to be known for—and how can I make that known at scale?
Because a great non-fiction book doesn’t just say you’re an expert. It proves you’re irreplaceable.
The most powerful books begin with a single decision—ownership.
Before you even start thinking about publishing
If you’re staring at the blinking cursor wondering how to shape everything you’ve learned into something worth reading, you’re not alone. But writing a non-fiction book doesn’t begin with the perfect first sentence—it begins with a strategic decision. A decision about what role you want your book to play in your business, your brand, or your legacy.
Do you want it to teach? To inspire? To attract clients, media, or speaking gigs? To reposition your thought leadership? That clarity makes everything easier. The structure. The stories. The tone. The title.
Below are ten proven book concepts that have helped other professionals turn their expertise into something tangible. Not theoretical. Not generic. Practical ideas that are already sitting inside your work—waiting to be written down.
1 | The Framework Book
Package your process. Take what you do instinctively and break it into steps others can follow. Whether it’s your sales system, your leadership model, or your hiring playbook—a clear, repeatable framework can be the foundation for a timeless non-fiction book.
2 | The "Lessons from the Field" Book
You’ve been in the trenches—and survived. A book that gathers real-life stories, business wins and stumbles, and the wisdom earned along the way is more than content: it’s credibility. This type of book reads like a conversation between peers, not a lecture.
3 | The Big Idea Book
What insight do you have that shifts people’s thinking? What does your industry keep getting wrong? This is your chance to write something thought-provoking, provocative, and point-of-view driven. A book like this repositions you—and maybe even redefines your space.
4 | The "What I Wish They Taught Me" Book
Many professionals write the book they wish they had 10 years ago. This type of book is a gift to the next generation, packed with lessons, mindsets, and decisions that shaped your career. Bonus: it also attracts up-and-coming talent to your ecosystem.
5 | The Client Playbook
You already teach your clients something again and again. Turn it into a resource they (and others like them) can keep, share, and implement. When done well, this type of book becomes an extension of your brand and a silent ambassador for your services.
6 | The Personal Brand Book
Want to be seen as more than your title? Use a book to share your origin story, your values, and your vision—all tied into the work you do. This isn’t a memoir; it’s a positioning tool wrapped in narrative. It can move you from expert to known entity.
7 | The Disruption Book
Every industry is undergoing massive change. If you have insight into where things are going (and how to help others keep up), this book lets you lead the conversation. A disruption-focused book is timely, media-friendly, and extremely shareable.
8 | The Culture Book
9 | The "Behind the Curtain" Book
Transparency builds trust. Use this book to lift the lid on how your business really works, how decisions are made, or what it’s like to sit in your seat. These books humanize leaders, attract collaborators, and build buy-in.
10 | The Hybrid Book
Who says you have to pick one format? Combine storytelling with framework. Blend thought leadership with client case studies. Mix memoir with strategic takeaways. The best non-fiction books often live in the in-between.
What feels ordinary to you might be life-changing to someone else.
How to Kickstart your Book with Intention
There’s a question every professional or entrepreneur eventually faces—but not always out loud: What do I want to be known for? Long before your book hits shelves or your name appears on a conference banner, there’s the quiet work of shaping perception, building credibility, and owning your narrative. Writing a book isn’t just about having something to say. It’s about choosing to say it in a way that lasts. In boardrooms, pitches, interviews, and keynotes, your ideas may inspire for a moment—but a book? A book endures. It positions you not just as someone with insights, but as someone with authority. So the question isn’t just what to write about a book—it’s why you haven’t written yours yet.
Maybe it’s because you weren’t sure where to start—or because you thought you needed a perfect idea before taking the first step. That’s exactly what the following guide is here to help you with.
If you’re overwhelmed by options, that’s a sign you have something worth saying.
First, Clear the Page
Before you commit to what to write about a book, you need space—to think, to wander, and to unlock what’s already inside you. Whether it’s your first book or your fifth, the blank page demands intentionality. Brainstorming isn’t just for fiction writers or creative types; it’s a strategic tool for business professionals too. Set aside intentional time to mind-map your experiences, your frameworks, the questions people ask you most, and the patterns you’ve seen in your field. These aren’t just notes. They’re the building blocks of influence.
Try this: list the ten most common challenges you, your team, or your clients face. Then, write the advice you most often give. Somewhere between problem and solution is the foundation of a compelling book.
Stuck? Use non-fiction-oriented writing prompts:
What do I say in team meeting or client pitch without even realizing it?
What do people always thank me for?
What industry trend makes me want to grab the mic?
What do I believe that others in my space aren’t saying (but should be)?
Brainstorming isn’t about finding the perfect idea. It’s about surfacing useful ones—and recognizing the patterns that point to your positioning.
Need a creative jolt? Use a whiteboard or sticky notes to visually connect ideas. Or try combining unlikely pairings: your personal origin story with your professional methodology. Your leadership philosophy with your client case studies. These unexpected bridges can reveal fresh book angles and help you shape a narrative that stands out.
Because before the outline, before the writing schedule, before the publishing plan—you have to ask yourself: what do I want this book to do for my career and reputation? The clarity starts here.
You don’t need more ideas. You need a moment to see them.
Turn Lived Experience into Literary Assets
Every professional has a backstory, but not everyone recognizes its value. Your lived experience isn’t just history—it’s intellectual property. And in the world of non-fiction, it’s also your differentiator. In a sea of books full of recycled frameworks and surface-level insights, your real-life experiences, setbacks, and growth moments offer what no one else can: original perspective anchored in proof. One of the most authentic ways to decide what to write about a book is to trace the defining moments in your professional journey—the times you pivoted, persevered, or provoked change—and examine how they shaped the frameworks you now teach, the decisions you now make, or the impact you now deliver.
That moment you changed direction? That client you almost lost—but didn’t? That product launch that flopped but taught you everything you now charge for? These aren’t just personal memories—they’re valuable narrative hooks. They establish not only your expertise but your empathy, your resilience, and your ability to lead others through similar challenges. In today’s thought leadership landscape, stories like these don’t just connect. They convert.
Pull themes from your past: reinvention, resilience, leadership, risk, identity, cultural change, or belonging—those moments when writing goals took root long before you called them that. Reflect on the clients or teams who challenged your thinking, the uncomfortable decisions you made behind closed doors, the innovations you launched when no playbook existed. Then look at the pattern. What keeps resurfacing in your story that your audience needs to understand in theirs?
These aren’t characters—they’re case studies. These aren’t just story ideas or story arcs—they’re stepping stones to insight. Not fiction—but lived frameworks, earned through experience, now ready to be shaped into clarity for someone else.
Experience is what you’ve been through. Authority is what you’ve learned from it.
Don’t Worry About Characters. Focus on Credibility.
Unlike fiction, non-fiction doesn’t require you to invent complex characters. But it does demand clarity about who your book is for—and how you’ll keep their attention. In non-fiction, your “character” is the reader themselves. Your job isn’t to entertain them with invented personas; it’s to mirror their needs, questions, frustrations, and aspirations. Your audience wants results, insight, or resonance. They want to feel seen—and more importantly, they want to walk away with something they can use.
So instead of character arcs, think about reader transformation. What will someone believe, know, or be able to do differently after reading your book? What myths will you help them bust? What mindset shifts will you provoke? In many ways, the answer to what to write about a book begins here—with the outcome your ideal reader is hoping for and the journey you’re inviting them to take.
Draw in your reader by reflecting their lived experience and language. Use real voices—client quotes, anonymous anecdotes, field-tested case studies. Reference the decisions they’re facing, the doubts they haven’t spoken aloud, the questions they don’t yet know how to ask. When your writing feels like it’s echoing their inner monologue, you earn trust.
The more grounded your writing is in truth, the more magnetic your credibility becomes. A great non-fiction book feels like mentorship on the page. It doesn’t speak at readers; it walks alongside them. And the more generously you share—your thinking, your missteps, your frameworks—the more powerfully it reads. Credibility doesn’t come from polished prose alone. It comes from relevance, resonance, and the reader’s growing realization that you truly understand what they’re navigating.
Experience is what you’ve been through. Authority is what you’ve learned from it.
Build a First Draft with Structure That Makes People Keep Reading
Yes, even non-fiction needs a story arc. Without a compelling structure, even the most powerful insights can feel disjointed or forgettable. Your book needs momentum, clarity, and a rhythm that rewards the reader for turning each page. You don’t need cliffhangers or plot twists, but you do need to build an arc of progression: from uncertainty to clarity, from frustration to solution, from question to conviction.
Start by thinking in movements, not just chapters. What emotional or intellectual journey are you taking the reader on? Where do they begin, and where do you want them to end up? A non-fiction story arc may move from awareness to action, or from scattered ideas to an integrated worldview. Consider how each section builds upon the last, not just in content but in intensity, confidence, or application.
Use chapter titles that spark curiosity and offer a sense of payoff (“The Ultimate Solution to Reinvention” or “From Burnout to Clarity”). Open chapters with moments of tension—a misconception, a common industry myth, or a personal moment of doubt. These tension points hook the reader and create the desire to understand what comes next. Then build toward resolution with clear, well-structured insights, relatable case studies, and frameworks the reader can actually apply.
Think of subplots as supporting layers: client stories, market shifts, internal dilemmas, or evolving trends that reinforce the bigger message. They offer texture and depth, and when tied back to your main idea, they make your message unforgettable.
And don’t forget: clarity is queen. If readers get lost in jargon, buried in complexity, or confused about where they are in your idea arc, they’ll disengage. Your structure should be intuitive, your progression intentional, and your takeaways unmistakable.
So if you’re wondering what to write about a book, ask yourself: what’s the journey you’re guiding the reader through, and how can your structure keep them walking it with you?
Information fills pages. Structure keeps them turning pages.
Experiment with Format, Voice, and Point of View
Just because it’s non-fiction doesn’t mean it has to be academic. In fact, many of the most impactful non-fiction books today succeed precisely because they’re written with clarity, personality, and human connection. Consider whether your voice is instructional, inspirational, or investigative. Are you guiding your readers step by step? Are you sparking momentum and belief? Are you challenging dominant narratives? Can you incorporate a conversational tone that mirrors how you speak on stage or in client sessions? A mentor-like voice that reassures and nudges? A bold challenger of norms that invites reflection and change? All are fair game—as long as they reflect how you show up in real life and resonate with the audience you want to reach.
Your tone is not just about style; it’s part of your positioning. It affects how your audience perceives you, whether they trust you, and how much they retain from your message. Think of your voice as your signature—if someone reads a page out loud, would your colleagues or clients know it came from you? It should feel consistent not only with your brand but also with the overall writing process, helping you stay anchored as you move from idea to outline to final draft.
Point of view matters, too. Will you write from personal authority (“I’ve learned this the hard way”), shared expertise (“We see this trend repeatedly”), or observed insight (“What no one’s talking about is…”)? That choice influences trust, relatability, and perceived value. Each perspective comes with its own weight—personal stories build intimacy, shared experience builds community, and observed trends build thought leadership. Knowing which lens you write through is essential to shaping what to write about a book and how to keep your audience fully engaged.
Ultimately, your format and tone should help your ideas land where they matter most: in your reader’s mind, and in their action. Just like a great book description, your delivery needs to promise—and deliver—real value. The more intentional you are about how you say what you say, the more likely your book is to do what it’s meant to: shift perception, build influence, and become a potential bestseller. Sometimes, a few simple steps and clear messaging can resonate more deeply with other readers than dense material ever could.
Voice isn’t about sounding smart. It’s about sounding like you.
Outline the Setting: Location, Location, Location—Context Is the Setting
In non-fiction, the setting is less about physical geography and more about professional context. It’s about bringing your reader into the lived reality of your work—into the conversations, decisions, and dilemmas that shaped your expertise. This could mean inviting them into a high-stakes board meeting, a one-on-one coaching session, a late-night email exchange with a client, or a quiet reflection on a missed opportunity. These are your settings, and they matter just as much as scenery in fiction.
Strong non-fiction uses setting to ground insight in real-world moments. By anchoring your ideas in vivid professional environments—be it a sales floor, a hospital hallway, a remote Zoom room, or a founder’s whiteboard—you give your reader a sense of texture and trust. You help them feel the stakes, sense the tension, and experience the moment with you.
Context also drives clarity. It tells the reader not only what happened but why it matters. For example, if you’re writing about your leadership philosophy, don’t just outline the principles—describe the moment you had to apply them under pressure. That real-time context transforms theory into lived value.
If you’re still uncertain what to write about a book, start with moments where setting shaped your decision-making. When did the environment you were in—a launch, a crisis, a shift in culture—force you to grow or adapt? That’s where the story lives. And more importantly, that’s where the learning lives for your reader. (You might even use those pivotal scenes to shape your table of contents.)
Context turns advice into application.
Let Themes Anchor the Message
What do you want readers to walk away feeling? Inspired? Equipped? Reassured? Shaken up? Let that emotional outcome shape the themes you explore. Themes are not just background decoration—they’re the thread that binds your insight to the reader’s lived reality. They serve as the emotional spine of your book, giving your chapters continuity, your stories weight, and your frameworks relevance.
In the realm of non-fiction, themes like transformation, legacy, reinvention, disruption, belonging, clarity, or resilience often carry immense resonance. But their effectiveness depends on how intentionally they’re woven through your message. A book about reinvention, for example, shouldn’t just mention change—it should embody it through examples, pacing, and tone. A book about legacy should leave the reader with a sense of contribution and long-term impact, not just quick wins.
Start by asking yourself what your audience craves at this moment in their journey. Are they burned out? Ambitious? In transition? Struggling to lead through complexity? Once you identify their emotional context, choose a theme that mirrors where they are—and leads them toward where they want to be.
If you’re still not sure what to write about a book, reverse-engineer it: what core idea do you want readers to repeat after finishing it? What do you hope they underline, quote, or share? That emotional and intellectual takeaway is likely your true theme. Let it anchor your structure, guide your language, and shape the lasting impression your book leaves behind.
What they feel determines what they remember.
The Best Books Reflect and Challenge
When in doubt, ask: What do I know to be true—and what do I believe is misunderstood? The best non-fiction books live in the space between what’s widely accepted and what’s begging to be questioned. They challenge assumptions, clarify complexity, and give language to the things people feel but can’t always articulate. They’re rooted in experience but reach for transformation, not just in the author—but in the reader.
Your best content likely lives where frustration meets clarity. What do your clients constantly get wrong until they work with you? What do you say on stage that always makes people pause and nod? What concept have you explained more than 100 times because it just isn’t understood well enough in your industry? These are signs. They point to what’s needed—and what’s missing.
So if you’re still unsure what to write about a book, don’t wait for inspiration to hit you like lightning. Look at your past. Listen to your clients. Rethink what you’ve normalized. Trace the moments where your point of view shifted. Then, write the book only you can write—the one that sits between your lived expertise and the future your reader is hoping to build. That intersection? That’s where your authority lives. That’s what makes it worth writing.
The space between what is and what should be—that’s your book.
The Question Isn’t 'Should I Write a Book?'—It’s 'What Would Happen If I Didn’t?'
You don’t have to be a writer to write a great book. You just have to be someone who’s lived through something others want to understand.
So if you’re still wondering what to write about a book, maybe the better question is:
What do people thank you for the most—and how could you scale that insight to help thousands more?
PS: How do I know? Because I’ve written more than a dozen books. You can explore them all here on my Amazon author page.
