AJ Harper’s Gift to Writers

A Book Review of *Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives—Including Your Own*

AJ Harper’s book is generous.

But on her way to providing what many writers likely want—a thoroughgoing step-by-step guide to writing a truly great book—she has to do some disabusing first.

In this market space of writing and publishing and book-marketing, a lot of experts talk about how easy and quick it can be to write a great book.

AJ Harper, an editor, former ghostwriter, and longtime writing coach, steps into the fray and tells us like it is. “Writing a must-read book will take much longer than you imagine.” And later, in reference to editing: “As hard as you think it will be, you end up wishing it were that easy.”

I know this can be tough to accept, but as I read these hard words, a part of me wanted to cheer. Harper tells us what we don’t want to hear but most need to hear.

She doesn’t stop there, though. In fact, AJ Harper is the best kind of coach in that after telling you how hard the climb is, in the next breath she tells you, “You can do this. It won’t be easy, but you can do it!” Then she settles in, taking her place beside you to show every step of her “reader first” method of crafting a “top three” book—a book that finds its way to a reader’s list of their favorite three books.

It is of course nothing new to remind writers to think about their readers. What’s unique here is how Harper’s method sticks doggedly with this mandate from start to finish of the book-making process.

The detail Harper provides is one of the most distinctive qualities of Write a Must-Read. The book is full of meaty instruction followed by well-thought-out exercises for the writer to complete along the way.

Organized into three parts, the first covers concept development; the second winsomely helps the writer complete her first draft; and the third is a tour de force on self-editing. One of the later chapters is a crash-course in publishing that alone is worth the cost of the book.

For all its practicality, though, Write a Must-Read does not come off like an instruction manual. Harper’s stories and humor make this a really entertaining read. I laughed, and by the time I got to the very last chapter, in which she likens her son’s basketball journey to that of writers, I cried.

I’ve read a lot of books for writers, and I can say without hesitation AJ Harper’s Write a Must-Read is itself a must-read for writers.

Question: How will your book serve its readers? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

6 thoughts on “AJ Harper’s Gift to Writers

  1. I count myself among the fortunate to be one of her students testing her method. As a first time writer, I had no evidence that following her instruction, my book would be one to change people’s lives. So when the manuscript was sent to early readers, and the responses started coming back, I wept with relief and gratitude. The book is remarkable how clearly she outlines her process. She holds nothing back. Even though I’ve been through her program several times, I still gained from the book too and will keep it with me for reference. I’m not in the promotion stage. Just as challenging as the writing!

    • Linda, wow! That’s terrific. I’m grateful for the experience you’ve had and the impact your work is having on readers. Congrats. And thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

  2. Chad, the kind of honesty that Harper shares is indeed inspiring for someoone like me who simultaneously dreams of getting a book into the world and is exhausted by the process.
    Thanks for sharing this. 🙂

    • You’re most welcome! I found her honest both heartbreaking and refreshing all at the same time! The good news is she really does take you through the steps and whispers “You can do this!” all along the way. Thanks for commenting!

  3. Chad, this need to be published elsewhere — Harper’s website or as a guest blogger with Harper or others in the writers coaching world.

Comments are closed.