Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Coffee with Lou: Should You Write a (UX) Book?
Summary
Key Insights
-
•
A compelling UX book topic needs a clear point of view and relevance rather than just external encouragement or surface-level expertise.
-
•
Evergreen UX book topics combine 20-30% conceptual frameworks with 70-80% practical 'how-to' guidance for lasting value.
-
•
Books structured as compilations of unrelated chapters tend to fail as they lack a cohesive narrative and singular authorial voice.
-
•
The publishing process benefits greatly from inclusion, collaboration, and iteration, involving multiple stakeholders beyond the author.
-
•
Writing a UX book is time-consuming, emotionally demanding, and risks significant personal and family sacrifices.
-
•
Self-publishing is viable but brings challenges in reach, distribution, and marketing that traditional publishers like Rosenfeld Media have spent years building solutions to.
-
•
Authors who write conversationally with empathy for readers, remembering what it's like to be new, create better UX books than purely authoritative, lecture-style approaches.
-
•
Testing ideas in workshops or courses before writing a book helps refine and prioritize content for a better book structure and audience fit.
-
•
Timing the release of a book is critical; going too far ahead or too late risks losing market relevance or momentum.
-
•
While financial royalties from UX books are typically modest, benefits include increased credibility, speaking opportunities, and consulting rates.
Notable Quotes
"People saying you should write a book is nice, but it’s not the real reason you should write one."
"A really strong book has to be designed as a journey with a consistent voice guiding the reader."
"Don’t write a book expecting to retire on royalties; this is a specialized field with modest sales."
"Writing a book is awful in terms of time, sweat, and time away from your loved ones, but it’s an amazing gift to dig deep into something you care about."
"Inclusion, collaboration, and iteration are the three pillars of how we work with authors to make a book."
"Evergreen content needs a strong perspective on why the topic matters along with practical examples on how to apply it."
"You want someone who writes with equal parts empathy and authority, not just pure authority."
"If your topic is already tackled exceptionally by a prior book, go deeper or wait until the market shifts."
"Testing your book idea through workshops or talks gives a forcing function that helps prioritize content."
"We look to work with authors we like and enjoy being around because writing a book is a long, collaborative journey."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Providing immediate tactical value is the big one for just-in-time curation."
Matt DuignanAtomizing Research: Trend or Trap
March 30, 2020
"Many organizations have output-based performance plans but are not incentivized to achieve outcomes."
Shreya Dhawan Victor Udoewa Xènia Viladas Florian VollmerMaking service tangible: the fastest path to higher performance
November 19, 2025
"Welcome to the AI party, we've got 10 years of research to share."
Dan SafferWhy AI projects fail (and what we can do about it)
May 14, 2025
"These applications were designed by engineers for engineers without interviewing the operators."
Michal Anne RogondinoSaving Outer Space: The First UX Design System for Our Nation’s Satellites
January 8, 2024
"Research waste turns into research wealth when insights are properly activated inside organizations."
Kate Towsey Jake BurghardtResearchOps AMA with Kate Towsey & Jake Burghardt
October 16, 2025
"Failure isn’t discouraging; it’s an opportunity to learn and improve your approach."
Kim Fellman CohenMeasuring the Designer Experience
October 23, 2019
"Queerness is change. The power to shape that change is within every one of us."
Dan WillisEnterprise Storytelling Sessions
June 3, 2019
"When your team sees themselves in your North Star and structure, they feel safe, secure, and inspired to stay."
Liam ThurstonWhy Your Design Team Is Quitting, And How To Fix It
June 10, 2022
"The UX team is never the keeper of all knowledge of the customer; the whole company owns the experience."
Janelle EstesUX Research Trends
January 28, 2021
