Review by JJNP -- Book Blueprint by Jacqui Pretty

JJNP · Post by **JJNP** » 05 Apr 2018, 15:11

[Following is a volunteer review of "Book Blueprint" by Jacqui Pretty.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Book blueprint: how any entrepreneur can write an awesome book / Jacqui Pretty.

This is an instructional non-fiction book, designed to help entrepreneurs to write a good book in their specialist area and develop it so that it does well. The book is aimed specifically at people in business who want to write about their specific area, so it stands out from the many general books on how to write a book, and is a specialist writing advice book. It is a thoroughly researched book, backed up by statistics that can be traced. This is a niche book and undoubtedly a leader in its field.

The author emphasizes to the reader that structuring their book properly is vital and she makes this a constant point. Without structure the book can lose direction and the author can lose hope. She states that while content is important, structure is equally important. The author also puts emphasis on credibility and underpinning data and having target markets and as well as the importance of proper editing.

The author starts the book with what she calls 'The Passion Test', which checks if you are really completely enthusiastic about writing a book and she states that if you aren't completely committed to the book, then you shouldn't start writing. She proceeds from there to run through the steps of creating, editing and marketing your book. She enables new writers to avoid costly errors which could see their book fail, and guides them through a comprehensive tour of the essentials of making a book a success.

Five types of books are discussed. Interview books, How-To books, List books, Memoirs and Thought-Leadership books, and the author discusses and advises on each individually. This enables readers to choose their ideal type of book as well as re-use the instructions if they choose to write more than one type of book. The book goes on to look at good beginnings and endings, for example introduction and conclusion, and then how to flesh the skeleton of the book out by using examples, data, exercises and illustrations. The next stage it about identifying and engaging with your target audience and how to proceed with that. Then crafting your plot and testing your story, and how plain English and personality play a role in success. The book concludes by noting that if you have got as far as the conclusion then you should have a detailed plan for your book, and advises you on how to keep up the momentum in order to write and complete your book.

Things I liked about the book were that the author is very qualified and skilled in her subject and knows how to research and back up her research with valid statistics, the book is very valid and has a niche market and is a very enabling book, undoubtedly making the difference between obscurity and success for some authors.
The text boxes with tips for aspiring authors are good, as are the step by step checklists. What really springs to mind is that this book practices what it preaches and examples in itself as a book, what it aims to teach. Things I didn't like so much about the book are that this is quite a heavy book to read, and I found the formatting and style hard to work with.

As a published author, I hoped that I would find this book helpful as I look at publishing memoirs of my work, but I felt that I couldn't engage with this book as well as I hoped, I found it heavy reading, and felt bogged down by the pre-book information at the start. I may try and work with it again in the future, it certainly isn't a bad book. It is obviously an expert book and by a skilled and experienced author, it just wasn't for me, so I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

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Book Blueprint
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EvaDar · Post by **EvaDar** » 08 Apr 2018, 22:53

I enjoyed reading your review. As you point out, the book was itself a testament to the author's teachings. I felt inspired by the author's voice: one of confidence and enthusiasm. It sounds like you didn't like the book quite as much as I did. I understand your point about it being a bit heavy at times. Thanks for the great review.

JJNP · Post by **JJNP** » 15 Apr 2018, 07:11

Eva Darrington wrote: ↑08 Apr 2018, 22:53 I enjoyed reading your review. As you point out, the book was itself a testament to the author's teachings. I felt inspired by the author's voice: one of confidence and enthusiasm. It sounds like you didn't like the book quite as much as I did. I understand your point about it being a bit heavy at times. Thanks for the great review.

Thank you for your response, I am glad that you found the book and the review helpful. I think as I am not a business person, but am a writer of non-fiction, the book didn't offer much for my writing, and it was heavy reading, but it is well written and it is doing well.

stacie k · Post by **stacie k** » 15 Apr 2018, 08:52

I’m glad the author doesn’t disqualify herself by not practicing what she preaches! It does seem to be a challenge for non-fiction writers to make their content attractive and enjoyable to the reader. This book sounds like it could be a great tool! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

JJNP · Post by **JJNP** » 06 Jun 2018, 04:03

stacie k wrote: ↑15 Apr 2018, 08:52 I’m glad the author doesn’t disqualify herself by not practicing what she preaches! It does seem to be a challenge for non-fiction writers to make their content attractive and enjoyable to the reader. This book sounds like it could be a great tool! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

The book is so well done that it can be used by any manager, and it may be a big book but it is interesting reading throughout as well.