My Storytelling Book Is Being Published

It has been a dream of mine to be able to have a book published.

I am excited to share that my book on storytelling was published by Harper Horizon, an imprint of HarperCollins.

When the pandemic first started, I shared this post: "It's OK if you aren't Sir Isaac Newton"  and said to ignore messages that tell you to use the pandemic to write a book.

And then I went and started writing a book.

My talk moved to TED.com and took off to almost 2 million views in one year.

I was introduced to different literary agents and signed with the wonderful agency: Folio Literary Management.

We put together a proposal and I started writing the book.

The book sold at auction this fall:

I wrote The Perfect Story for you. Storytelling is a big part of my work building leaders, teams, and culture. Stories shift thinking, expand ideas and inform, influence, and inspire.

I help leaders learn how to use storytelling to become effective and memorable communicators.

My goal for the book is to make storytelling accessible.

Whether you are preparing to present at a meeting, pitch a VC, record a podcast, present data, or give a toast, storytelling helps you be memorable and connect with your audience.

And you can learn how.

I've spent years helping people navigate why they avoid or don't feel comfortable with storytelling.

I've heard so many reasons why people are allergic to storytelling.

From not knowing where to find stories to feeling pressure to present data to feeling like it takes too much time and work to tell a great story.

All valid and addressable.



I teach people how to scientifically hack the art of storytelling.

Whether you are new to storytelling or naturally tell stories but never learned specific techniques, this book takes you through the steps to make your stories perfect.




I wanted to start with some frequently asked questions:


1) What is the name of the book?

The Perfect Story: How to tell stories that inform, influence and inspire. This is from the last line of my TED Talk: "Don't wait for the perfect story, take your stories and make them perfect." 

2) Is this book a compilation of your stories in one place?

If you have been around a bit, there will be a few stories that are familiar. However, the majority of the stories in the book are new. This is not a "greatest hits" compilation. I am also trying to keep some of these a secret and not include them in my speaking for a first-hand experience with the book. The book also goes much deeper than what was in the TED talk. And touches on things like the vulnerability of storytelling and when storytelling becomes manipulation.

3) How is the writing going?

The hardest part was figuring out the right stories for different settings. I do realize this sounds funny for a book on storytelling. But as you have heard me say many times, it's about finding the right story for your audience and what you want them to know, think or do. Figuring out the best story for different points takes some work and rework. In a newsletter, you are building and releasing tension within the arc of one post. In a book, you need to create an arc across each chapter and the entire book. 



5) What do you like about writing the book?

I am really proud of this book, even in these early stages. As I read it, I surprise myself with what is written. It's amazing how quickly you forget what YOU wrote. I have some fun surprises I am including in the book. And while there is a target audience for this book, I really believe that anyone who wants to read it will get something out of it.

The hardest part is that the publishing process is slow, and it will be many months before I can share the physical book with you.

Stick with me on this journey. I will give you insights, sneak peaks, and answer your questions.

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