Let’s talk about something powerful today— publishing a legacy book .

You know, that treasure chest of stories that’ll live on long after you’re gone.

A book that will help your family, your kids, your grandkids (or anyone who might be interested) get to know the real you.

It’s not just about writing any book; it’s about leaving behind a piece of your legacy that’s as personal as it gets.

But wait, before you start freaking out and thinking, “I can’t write a book, I’m not an author!”—let me tell you, yes you can. Because we’re going to make this simple, easy, and maybe even a little fun.

And by the time we’re done, you’ll feel like you’ve got this legacy thing in the bag.

Step 1: Get Clear on What You Want to Leave Behind

First things first. You’ve got this dream of creating a real-life type book, but what exactly do you want to leave behind?

The whole point of writing a legacy book is to share something valuable, something that tells the world who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to be remembered for. So, let’s get crystal clear on that.

Start by asking yourself these questions

• What’s my story?
• What part of my life do I want to highlight?
• What’s my message?

Don’t overthink this! This is the heart of your book, and it can be anything from family history to the lessons you’ve learned over the years or even a full-on memoir of your personal journey.

Whether it’s about your accomplishments, your struggles, or the memories you’ve tucked away, get clear on what you want people to take away from your book.

Just keep in mind one thing: this isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing.

A legacy book can be your story, your perspective, your journey. It’s not about perfection. It’s about sharing the moments that shaped you. Your mistakes, your wins, your lessons, and the good stuff—everything.

Step 2: Break It Down into Digestible Pieces

Here’s the thing: You can’t just dump your entire life story into a single draft and expect it to work. No one wants to read that (and, let’s be honest, you probably don’t want to write it all in one go either).

So, here’s how you should start: break it down. It doesn’t have to be a massive project at the start.

Start small and break your legacy book into bite-sized chunks.

Maybe focus on a specific time period in your life, a particular family member’s impact, or a moment that really shaped you. The more you break it down, the easier it will be to write, and the more focused your story will be.

You can even use “themes” to organize your chapters. A few ideas for themes could be:

• Family: Stories about your upbringing, your relationships, or your family traditions.
• Lessons Learned: The wisdom you’ve gained over the years and the mistakes that taught you the most.
• Career: Major milestones in your job or your career and how they shaped who you are.
• Life Experiences: Big events, trips, or even small moments that had a lasting impact.

Think of it like telling your life story in episodes. You can always go back and tie it all together later.

Step 3: Start Writing—Don’t Worry About Perfection!

I know you’re thinking, “But what if my writing sucks?” Guess what? Perfection is overrated.

The magic happens when you start writing without the pressure.

Your legacy book is all about capturing your voice, your heart, and your personality. It’s the stories behind the stories that will make your book unique.

Start by jotting down whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about grammar or structure yet.

Write like you’re talking to a friend. You’re not trying to win any literary awards (unless that’s your thing, in which case, go ahead). But your goal right now is to capture your thoughts and memories, not perfect them.

Here’s a pro tip: Try writing in short bursts. If you try to sit down and write your whole story in one sitting, you’ll burn out.

Instead, write for 20 minutes a day. Just 20 minutes. Before you know it, you’ll have a bunch of short stories that will come together into your book.

And if you’re stuck? It happens to everyone. But guess what? There are tons of ways to get the creative juices flowing.

Look up “write your own story quotes” for some inspiration, or just talk through your memories with a friend. Sometimes, a good conversation is all it takes to get the words flowing.

Step 4: Edit Like a Pro (Without Overthinking it)

Here’s where a lot of people get stuck: editing. Everyone’s scared of it (alright, not everyone. But mostly are!)

But editing doesn’t mean you have to rewrite your entire book. It just means cleaning it up and making sure the story flows. Don’t get too caught up in tiny grammar mistakes at this point. Just focus on the bigger picture.

Ask yourself:

• • Does this story make sense?
• • Is the pacing right?
• • Am I capturing the emotions I want to share?

If you're feeling unsure, get someone you trust to read it. A fresh set of eyes can help spot things you might’ve missed.

They might even tell you where you can add more detail or emotion. Plus, if your “appointed” proofreader gets emotionally invested in your story, it’s a pretty solid sign you’re on the right track.

Step 5: Design Your Book

Now that your content is looking great, it’s time to make your book look even better. And design is key here.

You want it to look professional, but it should still feel like your book.

And to do that, one idea is if you’ve got a family history book yourself, consider using vintage photos or a family crest on the cover.

If it’s a memoir or life story, keep the design simple but impactful. Think: elegant, but with personality.

If design isn’t your thing (totally fair), don’t sweat it. You can always work with a professional designer. There’s no shame in getting help from the pros. Trust me, your legacy book deserves it.

And if you're thinking, “I have no idea how to lay this all out”—don’t worry! You can use a family history book layout or templates online that make it super easy to organize everything from chapters to photos. After all, the internet is full of it.

Step 6: Publish It—Your Story, Your Way

Finally, when you have the final draft at hand, now comes the part of getting this book out into the world aka publishing it.

And if you’re a first-timer in the publishing world, naturally, you’d have no idea where to begin. (But then again, that’s why you’re here!).

There are a couple of options you could take. You could self-publish, or if you want that polished, professional touch, you can work with a publishing company. Self-publishing is a great option if you want full control, but working with a publisher can help you get your book into the right hands.

That’s where companies like Macwill Publishers comes in. They are the pros when it comes to publishing academic papers to biographies (or autobiographies) like yours.

Whether you want to print a few copies for your family or go full-on public with your book, they can guide with every step.

Step 7: Share it and Make Your Legacy a Reality

You did it! You wrote and published your legacy book.

Now what? You share it, of course!

Start by gifting it to family members. Make it available for purchase on your website, or share it on social media. This is your moment to shine.

And don’t forget, your legacy book is meant to be passed down. This isn’t just a book—it’s a part of who you are. So, make sure it gets into the right hands and lives on for future generations.

Conclusion

So, what are you waiting for? You’ve got a legacy book to write!

It might seem overwhelming at first, but trust me—you’ve got this. With a little planning, some focus, and a whole lot of heart, you’ll be able to write a book that’ll leave an impact for years to come.

And if you ever get stuck, companies like Macwill Publishers are just a message away. Whether you need help with writing, editing, or publishing on a large scale, they are among the trusted names in the publishing world that’ll help you sorted in no time.

Go on, start writing your legacy today.