How To Write Non-Fiction: Turn Your Knowledge Into Words Second Edition

by Joanna Penn

Are you ready to share your expertise, tell your story, or build a thriving author career?Do you want to write a non-fiction book but don’t know where to start? Writing a book can change your life. It can help you share your unique knowledge and experience with the world, build authority in your field, and even generate multiple streams of income.

But writing a book can also be hard.

You might get paralyzed by writer’s block or self-doubt. You could get stuck because you don’t know the next step to take. You may be bewildered by everything there is to learn about getting to a finished manuscript.

In this book, award-winning author and creative entrepreneur Joanna Penn takes you step-by-step through the process of writing, publishing, and marketing a successful non-fiction book. You’ll get the guidance you need to turn your knowledge into a valuable resource.

Inside this updated and expanded second edition, you’ll

The mindset shift you need to start and finish your book—even if self-doubt is holding you back.How to structure and organise your ideas into a compelling manuscript that delivers value to readers.Proven techniques for writing, editing and refining your book, whether you’re writing general non-fiction, memoir, or a combination of both Marketing strategies tailored to non-fiction, so your book reaches the right audience and drives sales.How to monetise your book, from licensing and bulk sales to speaking opportunities, and more.This comprehensive guide combines practical advice with mindset support to help you navigate every stage of the writing journey. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your author career, How to Write Non-Fiction gives you the tools and confidence to write the book you’re meant to write.

Don’t let fear and uncertainty hold you back. Start your non-fiction author journey today.

Click to download a sample or buy your copy of How to Write Non-Fiction and start creating the book only you can write!

Table of ContentsPart 1: Before You Write

Why write a non-fiction book?Types of non-fiction booksWhat if you don’t know what kind of book you want to write?Can I write a book if I’m not an expert?Who are you? Personal stories, originality, and the importance of voice Who is your reader? Identify your target marketDecide on your book title and subtitleYour author nameYour publishing optionsWriting a book proposalFear and self-doubtThe day a non-fiction book changed my life Part 2: Writing and Editing

Gather existing materialResearch, interviews, surveys, and social listeningStructure and organise your bookThe particular challenge of writing memoirHow to write the first draftWriter’s blockHow to dictate your bookTurn your online content into a bookCo-writing a non-fiction bookHow to turn a boring book into an engaging readElements of fiction in non-fictionDoes non-fiction or memoir have to be true? Cop

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2025

About the author

Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction and memoir author as J.F. Penn. 


She’s also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. She lives in Bath, England with her husband and two British shorthair cats, and enjoys a nice G&T.


See also Goodreads author's profile as J.F. Penn.

Reviews

[Nina ( picturetalk321 ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As all of Joanna Penn's non-fiction books, this one is a joy to read.

First, the format. This is a dream of an indie-published book: a clear cover, nice large font, creamy pages that are pleasant to annotate with a pencil, clear unfussy lay-out. Each chapter is followed by a set of bullet-pointed questions that sum up the chapter's main issues but are specifically addressed to you (me), the reader as action points. These questions tie in with the wire-bound companion workbook. It is the first time that I've purchased such a workbook and I have already scribbled extensive notes into it. There is no new material in the workbook but somehow the workbook format incites me to do and think about stuff.

Second, the voice. Joanna Penn has a respectful, sympathetic, empathetic writer's voice that never lectures, never lays down the law, never promises (as so many how-to books do) some pseudo-sekrit magic bullet, that acknowledges that different people have different views, needs, ideas, predilections. Such a joy to read this, and such a comfort zone.

Third, the advice herein. I own the first edition of this book and it is testament to the no-nonsense useful advice therein that I opted to buy the second edition as well. The first edition accompanied me on the journey from twenty-years-weighing-on-my-mind and in-folders-on-my-laptop to finishing and getting my academic book published. Joanna Penn's book does not even touch upon academic writing (it acknowledges as much) but still, the advice was nevertheless super motivating and just practical no-nonsense stuff.

I added this to the Something Bookish reading challenge: prompt - has white in the cover. (And I do love Joanna Penn's white-themed non-fiction series.)

[Zoe Langley-Wathen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thorough book methodically guides new or would-be authors through the tangle of what to expect when self-publishing a non-fiction book. From mindset to marketing, research styles to publishing choices, Joanna Penn has ensured the reader is left with a full awareness of best practice, what to avoid, how to plan, where to go next, often with links to useful information, websites, her own resources and podcast or external services. Each section is complemented with a series of questions that may help place your own situation with the chapters and consider your options in greater depth.

The section discussing imposter syndrome and fear genuinely resonated with me, and I found many words of support there. In addition, the tough line shared about needing to make a deadline and get on. How many times I've needed to hear that! Otherwise, our work will continue to fill the time we have available. So many useful gems. I never fail to find powerful takeaways from this author.

Despite already owning the first edition, I would suggest this second edition differs enough to warrant purchase. The chapter on memoir was of particular interest to me, as were the multiple ways in which we can use AI to support our roles as independent authors, essentially small creative business owners, moving forward.

I enjoyed listening to the audio version of this book, and as with all my audio books, I'll be back for more listens in the future! It's good to hear the book narrated by the author.

[Rodney Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although not the most exciting topic to capture one's wildest imagination, "How to Write Non-Fiction" by Joanna Penn, is a no-none-sense book on the tedious, but necessary business of writing and publishing non-fiction. It is a must read for any aspiring, non-fiction writer, such as myself, who requires direction to get their life's work out there for all to read. It covers every nuance of non-fiction writing and publishing without trapping the reader in unnecessary details which they would not remember when they finally complete reading the book.

[Joanna Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the encouragement I needed!

As I am finishing my 3rd nonfiction book and my 1st memoir, this book reminded me of some important skills and practices to ensure the success of my newest book upon publication, along with some great strategies to improve the sales of my earlier work. Thank you, Joanna, for the great advice in all of the books in this series!