Paths to Published: Transforming Your Nonfiction Idea into an Attractive Published Book

Week of August 2, 2025

“I’d love to write a book—but I just don’t have the time. In fact, I’m not sure where to even start!”

Many of us have compelling stories to share, or expert advice that would be valuable to offer to others. If only we could get that story out of our heads and into a published format. . . .
Think it’s too hard to write a book and get it published? Think you aren’t a good enough writer to get your message across? Think this all sounds too overwhelming?

Think again.

Award winning author and marketing expert Linda Popky has helped dozens of aspiring authors write, produce, and promote their nonfiction books. Topics range from coaching and leadership to innovation, selling businesses, becoming a better parent, impacting climate change and sustainability—and even launching a successful cannabis cultivation business.

Overview Session: Your Story’s Too Good Not to Share
We all have interesting tales to tell, but how do we capture the essence of these stories for others—especially for those of us who are not professional writers?

In this introductory session, Linda Popky will share tips and tools to help you identify the key elements of your story so that others can understand and appreciate the lessons you’d like to impart. This could take the form of an article or book, a video, or a visual presentation—that’s up to you. Whatever format you choose, you’ll be on your way to creating a unique work you can share with others.

Paths to Published Workshop:
This four-session workshop will help you understand how to get that book idea from your head into an attractive printed and/or electronic book.

Session 1: CHOOSING YOUR TOPIC: Starting Off on the Right Track

• Is your book idea worth pursuing?
• Choosing a story
• Finding your voice
• Knowing why you’re doing this
• Identifying your audience
• How does the book fit into your bigger picture

Session 2: CREATING YOUR MANUSCRIPT: Yikes! Now I Really Have to Write This!

• You may not need to start from scratch
• Tips for blasting away writer’s blocks
• Outlining is the secret
• A fun way to build your Table of Contents
• If you can’t write, can you talk?
• Publishing options—Understanding the many paths available to you

Session 3: PRODUCING YOUR BOOK: You Wrote the Book, Now What?

• The manuscript may be done, but you’re not
• Who are all these editors and why do I care?
• The proof is in the pudding (or on the page)
• Yes, we do judge books by their covers
• How design and illustrations make or break books

Session 4: PROMOTING YOUR WORK: The Launch is Just the Beginning

• If you build it, they may not come—unless you tell them why
• Building an effective author platform
• Social media: Is it worth it?
• Influencers and multipliers
• Building a community

This workshop is meant to be interactive. To get the most out of the program, it’s recommended that people attend all four sessions. At the end of the week, attendees will have formulated a book concept, developed an overview, identified their audience, developed a rough outline for what the book might look like, and have a good understanding of what’s required to make their book successful.

Linda Popky helps authors create and publish compelling content. After writing her own book, she was approached by other authors to edit their materials and to write for them. Since then, she’s done everything from ghostwriting books to producing printed, electronic, and audio books. She also coaches new authors through the book development process. Linda has recorded a classical piano CD called Night Songs. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with a quite personable Siberian Husky and a vintage Steinway grand piano.

Linkedin.com/in/lindapopky
Facebook.com/linda.popky