Reading time: 4.28

Hey Reader,

Someone — I can’t remember who — gifted me a splendid little book.

(thank you if it was you)

It’s a 62-page, cloth-bound hard-back, beautifully designed, and just 105 x 158 mm.

Pocket sized.

It’s the content, though, that makes it a true MicroBook. It’s a book on grammar… but that’s far too broad a description.

There are many, many books on grammar out there.

Many, many of them are deeply boring.

And out of date.

(because grammar changes, and if you don't like that, tough titties)

This little book, though, is a delight because it focuses on those most rage-inducing of punctuation marks — the apostrophe.

There are 4 chapters, an introduction, and a conclusion, and by the time you’re done you’ll know exactly how to use apostrophes and have some interesting new sentences to try out.

I use this book as an example when I talk about MicroBooks because:

1. It’s extremely specific. It’s not a book on grammar; it’s a book on apostrophes: a brief history in the intro, then how to use them in every situation. By the time you’ve finished reading it, you know how to use a fucking apostrophe.
2. The author, Simon Griffin, has smothered it in his personality and it’s very amusing and most enjoyable to read. How many grammar books can you say that about?

This is an absolutely stealable idea.

I don’t mean copy Simon Griffin and write a MicroBook called Fucking Apostrophes.

I mean, take a look at what he’s done, and see how you can apply it to an idea you might have.

When we look at teeny tiny books, I think we often think “stocking filler” and that’s as far as we get.

And, yes, some of them are stocking fillers and never get looked at beyond Christmas.

But when I talk about MicroBooks, I mean mighty ideas in a micro package — a transformative idea you want to share, that the reader can devour in a couple of hours, and emerge a changed human.

An amuse-bouche that introduces the reader to a new way of looking at the world.

And introduces them to you.

I know it can be difficult to narrow down a book idea; it’s the number 1 challenge I help my clients deal with, actually.

Okay, maybe it’s number 2 after the whole “who am I to write a book, I can’t do this” malarkey.

But that’s what MicroBook Magic is here for.

Your ideas are blazing.

They’re mind-changers.

And they should be out there transforming people's thinking!

In MicroBook Magic, that’s what we do. Here’s how it works:

Week 1: Onboarding week. In Circle, you’ll get the full curriculum and schedule and a tiny step to take each day to get you ready to write your MicroBook.

• Set up your workspace.
• Schedule your writing + set your timeline + commit to doing it!
• Get clear on your writing goals.
• Revisit and clarify your Big Idea.
• Watch the short welcome and get started videos on your Big Idea, Scheduling, and Goals.
• Join the welcome call so we can introduce ourselves, go through our Big Ideas and schedules, explain what happens next, and so you can ask me anything and get to know your fellow authors-in-waiting.

Week 2: A running start

• Live group call: guidance on this week’s tiny beetle steps and writing aims, my feedback on anything you’ve written so far, plus a Q&A.
• Watch the short teaching videos on the reader journey, starting with the end in mind, and outlining your book.
• Finness your outline (or dive in if you’re not an outliner) using the Book on One Page template.
• Set your writing goals for the week.
• Join us in office hours for short Q&As + quick feedback.
• Celebrate this week’s achievements in Circle.

Week 3: Keep going

• Live group call — feedback, Q&A, and planning for the week.
• Watch the short teaching videos on introductions, chapter plans, and writer’s block.
• Set your writing goals for the week + WRITE!
• Join us in office hours for short Q&As + quick feedback.
• Celebrate this week’s achievements in Circle.

Week 4: All about you

• Live group call — feedback, Q&A, and planning for the week.
• Watch the short teaching videos on your about the author section, structural editing, and some fun writing games.
• Set your writing goals for the week + WRITE!
• Join us in office hours for short Q&As + quick feedback.
• Celebrate this week’s achievements in Circle.

Week 5: The details

• Live group call — feedback, Q&A, and planning for the week.
• Watch the short teaching videos on beta readers, ISBNs, and front + back matter.
• Set your writing goals for the week + WRITE!
• Join us in office hours for short Q&As + quick feedback.
• Celebrate this week’s achievements in Circle.

Week 6: Finishing touches

• Live group call — feedback, Q&A, and planning for the week.
• Watch the short teaching videos on book cover design, layout + formatting, and proofreading.
• Set your writing goals for the week + WRITE!
• Join us in office hours for short Q&As + quick feedback.
• Celebrate this week’s achievements in Circle.

Week 7: Everything you need to publish

• Live group call — feedback, Q&A, and planning for the week — info about the Author Showcase next week!
• Watch the short teaching videos on publishing options, launches, and how to avoid looking like an amateur.
• Set your writing goals for the week + WRITE!
• Join us in office hours for short Q&As + quick feedback.
• Celebrate this week’s achievements in Circle.

Week 8: Showcase Week 🎉🎉🎉

• On the 8th Tuesday, at the same time as our usual calls, we’ll have an Author Showcase to celebrate and share your MicroBooks with the rest of the group and with friends, family, colleagues, and perhaps perfect strangers from the internet.
• We wrap up everything you’ve worked on, make sure you have what you need, and I’ll let you know how to get in touch with me if you need further help
• For those who’ve upgraded to MicroBook Mega, I’ll remind you to book your calls if you haven’t already, and give you all the details you need for us to get your book typeset.
• Onwards and upwards!

If you’d like to join us, I’d love to have you. Write your book by the end of Summer!

We start on Monday, and the doors close on Saturday at midnight.

TTFN,

Vicky