324: Writing a Book: The Unfiltered Truth About My Book-Writing Process with Mallory Erickson

What does it actually take to write a book?

In this solo episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory Erickson pulls back the curtain on her experience writing and publishing her book, What the Fundraising. From signing a publishing contract with Wiley before she even knew what she wanted to write, to getting pregnant, navigating a difficult pregnancy, becoming a new parent, and rewriting the entire book six weeks postpartum, Mallory shares the messy reality behind the finished product.

Mallory also talks about the limiting belief she had that she needed a book in order to get paid speaking opportunities, how writing the book ultimately changed the way she thinks and communicates, and why she believes a book should be valuable because of its unique ideas and perspective, not simply because you can say you wrote one.

She also gets honest about perfectionism, ADHD, the challenges of sequencing a long-form argument, using AI for feedback but not for writing, and the importance of having systems and support around you. Most importantly, Mallory shares why your book doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to sound like you.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

- Understand what Mallory's actual book-writing process looked like, including the unexpected circumstances that shaped it.

- Recognize the difference between creating long-form social content and developing a cohesive argument for a book.

- Identify how sequencing an argument can become one of the hardest parts of writing a book, especially when you have lots of ideas and information to connect.

- Consider how a book can strengthen your thinking, speaking, podcasting, and overall ability to articulate your ideas.

- Think more strategically about whether writing a book actually supports the business, career, or change you want to create.

- Use AI as a tool for feedback and identifying gaps without outsourcing your unique perspective and voice.

- Let go of the idea that your book needs to be perfect before you put it into the world.