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The Most Surprising Thing about Writing an eBook (That No One Ever Told Me About)

The Most Surprising Thing About Writing an eBook (that no one ever told me about) | Personal insights from Lauren Lanker's self-publishing journey. She thought she had researched everything there was to know about launching an eBook...however, there was one BIG surprise that struck her along the way.  One surprise that no one had addressed in all the podcasts, blog articles, and eBooks on eBooks.

This past Monday, I launched my very first eBook, Thinking Outside the Gift Box.  It was a project over a year in the making.  You see, I had never written a book before let alone launched a product.   And I desperately wanted to do right by my readers.  I wanted to create a killer eBook that would help bring more joy and deeper meaning to their gift-giving.  And I wanted its pages to be jam-packed with ten times more value than the price.

So, I immersed myself in research: I listened to podcasts on all of my car rides, clipped blog articles on the subject to *Evernote, and I read other eBooks on how to write an eBook.  I actually loved learning about it all…and even found it hard to stop researching and start writing.

However, there was one thing that happened during my self-publishing journey that no one ever warned me about or really addressed in their how tos and tips and articles.  One surprising thing that took me completely off guard.

The Surprise

You see, I always pictured this process as being a fairly solitary one.  I figured that I would hole myself away for hours in coffee shops just writing away.  And when I was done, I’d share it with the world.

The Most Surprising Thing About Writing an eBook (that no one ever told me about) | Personal insights from Lauren Lanker's self-publishing journey. She thought she had researched everything there was to know about launching an eBook...however, there was one BIG surprise that struck her along the way.  One surprise that no one had addressed in all the podcasts, blog articles, and eBooks on eBooks.

But it turned out that y’all rallied.  You wouldn’t let me do it alone.  When the Thinking Outside the Gift Box train passed through your town, you ran alongside at lightening speed, grabbed ahold of the handle on the caboose, and jumped aboard.  Hitchhikers, the lot of you.  Fellow travelers.  A team of supporters who brought with you confetti and party hats and most of all, companionship.

I created an Insiders Club for anyone who wanted to receive my updates and over 120 people joined.  They answered surveys and helped me choose a cover.  Then, people asked to read draft copies.  Copies with typos and missing photos and all the mess I often try to hide.  They sent me their feedback and edit suggestions.  They helped make my book better than it could have ever been if I had done it alone.

But they didn’t stop there.  I got emails and texts and comments from more train-hoppers, asking,

“What can I do to help?”

“Have you seen these articles that might help you?”

“Can I write a post about your book on my blog?”

“Can I share about your book on social media?”

Offers to help.  Offers to share.  Offers to promote.  Offers that I never asked for…they just came.  In buckets.

And so, the shout-outs on my eBook Acknowledgements page grew to a list of hundreds of names.  (And I know there are names I missed.)

It turns out that writing an eBook isn’t a solitary journey at all.  It’s a communal one.

Empty Hands

Of course my instinct is to want to repay you all somehow.

“What can I do to help you?”

“What can I share?  Promote?  Read?  Revise?”

And then, I’m reminded to read my own words on the last page of my eBook Afterword.

"We can have generous hearts even when our hands may be empty."  The heart of Lauren Lanker's eBook, "Thinking Outside the Gift Box."  As hard of a lesson as that is for me to live out, I know it's true!  And it's a breath of fresh air in the culture we live in, which is so focused on bigger and better, more stuff, more junk we don't need.  It's time to get back to what it means to live a life of giving.

Don’t ya just love it when you go back and read something you wrote and realize you were writing it for yourself just as much as others?  #humbled

I want you all to know how very much your support means to me.  It brings tears to my eyes to reflect back on how many times my cup has overflowed in the past several weeks.  And launch day…well…launch day is a day I will never forget.

In fact, here’s a collage of images and screenshots from all the love you sent my way that day.  And this is just a fraction.

Launch Love

The Most Surprising Thing About Writing an eBook (that no one ever told me about) | Personal insights from Lauren Lanker's self-publishing journey. She thought she had researched everything there was to know about launching an eBook...however, there was one BIG surprise that struck her along the way.  One surprise that no one had addressed in all the podcasts, blog articles, and eBooks on eBooks.

Thinking Outside the Gift Box eBook by Lauren from ThinkingCloset.com - Chock FULL of frugal yet meaningful gift ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
Join the #thinkingoutsidethegift revolution HERE.

You are all living out the very essence of my eBook message. That some of the greatest gifts are the simple ones.  The word of encouragement.  The offer to help where there is need.  A listening ear.  The gift of your time.

We wrote this book together.  And I hope that the stories and gift ideas and printables on the pages of my book can give back to you a portion of all that you’ve given me this past year.

Now, please excuse me while I go and sob me some happy tears, trying not to make too much of a scene here in my blue velvet chair in the coffee shop.

Then again, who am I trying to impress?  I’m riding a train with some of the most loving, celebratory, generous people in the world.  Let the happy tears roll.

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*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for helping to support this site!

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12 Comments

  1. I’m working on my first book, and a little while ago I asked folks on my personal Facebook page to vote on covers. I was AMAZED at who popped out of the woodwork! It’s a Bible study book and even people who aren’t Christians participated in the conversation. This community thing is a real deal. (PLUS it keeps us accountable to finishing what we started!).

    1. Oh I’m so glad you had a similar experience of resounding support! It’s so humbling, isn’t it? You’re so right about the value of community in keeping us accountable. Once I share that I’m working on a project, I’m SO much more likely to finish it! All the best to you in your book publishing endeavors!

  2. Such warm heart felt comments. Encouraging words to inspire your zeal to finish! I hope that one day I can full fill that drive to do and not just say. May God bless you as you continue to inspire others.

    1. Thank you so much for your warm words, Gina! All the best to you as you take action on your big dreams. May you be encouraged to persevere to the finish line. You can do it!

  3. Found your site via Pinterest and so glad I did….I was so cheered and warmed to read this post of yours…..so so happy for you. Well done! Congratulations! Go you!

  4. What Meredith & Kirsten said!! You have a way of captivating people with your energy and encouragement, and of course we want to reciprocate as much as possible! But I have to say I would be just as surprised as you have been; writing has always felt like such a solitary task (but not in a bad way!), but I guess the adage that “it takes a village” is true for many, many things!

    Congrats again, Lauren!

  5. I agree with Meredith and Kirsten!

    What a lovely unexpected aspect of the whole process.

    You did reach out and ask for support which not everyone does.
    As a result, we felt engaged in the process and joyful in the outcome!

    You are known and loved!! xxoo

  6. I echo the sentiments of Meredith. You are one of the most genuine, sweetest souls I have ever had the pleasure of being friends with, and people are just drawn to you because you GIVE so much of yourself. I love you to pieces, and I’m grateful to be a tiny little part of your amazing journey. You bless me and inspire me so, so much! XOXO

  7. You know why this happened, don’t you? Why so many people were jumping at the chance to help and encourage you, in big and small ways? Because YOU, my dear, have done that for so many others. You are a constant source of encouragement and love to so many, in real life and in blog life. The hours upon hours that you’ve invested into people – many people that you’ve never even met in person – just came back around to you. We love you!!

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