The Selfish Gift - Go public with your purpose

How to Write a Truly Great Book, with David Moldawer, Ghostwriter/Editor/Bookitect

June 15, 2022 Maggie Langrick Season 1 Episode 6
The Selfish Gift - Go public with your purpose
How to Write a Truly Great Book, with David Moldawer, Ghostwriter/Editor/Bookitect
Show Notes

You might think you have a book in you (and you probably do), but is it a truly great one? Would readers want to buy it? Would your message have the power to change people's perspectives and lives? David Moldawer is a New York publishing veteran with more than a decade of experience acquiring books for companies like Penguin, St. Martin’s Press, McGraw-Hill, and Amazon Publishing, and today, he joins The Selfish Gift to offer his invaluable, frank advice on how to craft a book that actually sells.

David has seen it all and can guarantee you: "There's nothing new under the sun." No matter how unique you think your story or your advice might be, there are likely a dozen other similar books out there. The key is to put your own spin on it—a fresh angle, a new methodology, a unique perspective, a compelling voice. But how?

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why differentiation—identifying what sets your book apart from others like it—must always be your starting point.
  • How to "think like a reader" in order to identify your target audience. (Spoiler: Trying to write a book for "everyone" will result in a boring read that isn't right for anyone.)
  • Why some of the biggest bestsellers actually... aren't that great.
  • Why building a good "hook" into your title and subtitle is essential for a package that sells. (Hint: Brevity is best.)
  • Tips on the writing process from a seasoned publishing professional who has worked with the likes of Deepak Chopra and David Mamet.

For more, check out:
mavengame.com
bookitect.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press

And follow:
instagram.com/davidmoldawer
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast