Development First

Do you have a book idea you’ve wanted to write for a while but were confused on where to start? With How to Write Your First Book, you will know how to come up with ideas, how to write first drafts, and how to grab your reader’s attention.

Stunned to learn that her son, Sam, is about to become a father at 19, Lamott begins a journal about the first year of her grandson, Jax's, life. In careful and often hilarious detail, Lamott and Sam - about whom she first wrote so movingly in Operating Instructions - struggle to balance their changing roles with the demands of college and work, as they both forge new relationships with Jax's mother, who has her own ideas about how to raise a child.

For years, Amy Thunig thought she knew all the details about the day she was born, often demanding that the story of her birth be retold. Years later, heavily pregnant with her own first child, she learns what really happened that day. It’s a tale that exemplifies many of the events of her early life, where circumstances sometimes dictated that things be slightly different from how they might seem–including what is meant by her dad being away for ‘work’ and why her legal last name differs from her family’s.

You’re excited to be a new mom…but you have no idea what to expect. You know it’s going to be a magical experience, but you’re feeling both exhilarated and scared. You’ve been looking forward to this moment for as long as you can remember, but now that it's drawing nearer, you’re getting nervous. Maybe you’ve looked through countless websites on motherhood but your research is becoming more overwhelming than helpful. Don’t worry: You are not alone!

Written in John Kim’s unique “advice-in-a-shot glass” style, a month-long program that applies the tenets of his bestseller Single on Purpose, packed with daily tips for self-reflection, growth, and adventure. Whether you’ve embraced the advice in Single on Purpose or are just discovering Kim’s ideas, 31 Days of Single on Purpose can help you transform being single into a joyous, exciting period of personal growth filled with memories, deep work, play, forgiveness, and freedom.

In the era of questionable Internet "facts" and parental oversharing, it's more important than ever to find credible information on everything from prenatal vitamins to screen time. The good news is that parents and parents-to-be no longer need to rely on an opinionated mother-in-law about whether it's OK to eat sushi in your third trimester, an old college roommate for sleep-training "rules", or an online parenting group about how long you should breastfeed.

Want to know the secret to acing fatherhood? The fear of fatherhood isn’t a conversation many men like to have over a cold beer. But the truth is that nearly every father-to-be has concerns… So if you’re feeling a little anxious right now, rest assured that you’re not the only one. Dads have traditionally been sidelined when it comes to talking about pregnancy and parenthood, but there's good news for you – your baby is coming at the perfect time.

Technology has enabled us to be more interconnected today than ever before. So why do so many of us feel isolated and undervalued at work? How do we - you - develop the intuition, self-awareness, and interpersonal agility required to prosper? Here's what we've lost track of: organizations are run by people, and people run on emotions. In this life-changing guide, Dr. Melanie Katzman shows you an impactful approach to connect first as fellow humans, then as coworkers and colleagues, to forge the deep bonds that make a significant difference.

If you've listened to his books The War of Art and Turning Pro, you know that for 30 years Steven Pressfield (Gates of Fire, The Afghan Campaign etc.) wrote spec novel after spec novel before any publisher took him seriously. How did he finally break through? Ignoring just about every rule of commercial book publishing, Pressfield's "first" novel not only became a major best seller (over 250,000 copies sold), it was adapted into a feature film directed by Robert Redford and starring Matt Damon, Will Smith, and Charlize Theron.

Many of us focus on winning at work. Whether it is from our own fear or the expectations of others, we put pressure on ourselves to succeed. Then, with whatever time and energy is left, we give to our family and to ourselves. In the end, no one wins. Marriages suffer, kids are neglected, teams are not developed, and you are not fulfilled. There is a better way. You, your home, and your work can thrive.

You don’t need to feel alone in parenting. You don’t need to feel like you’re failing. And you definitely don’t need another parenting book filled with theoretical advice about theoretical children. You need actual parenting help from an actual parent. It’s time to feel confident in your parenting. In Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting, Susie gives the achievable advice she’s known for around the world, from daily life and #beingtwoisfine to tantrums and tattling and teaching the ABCs.

The first three months of a newborn baby’s life offer new parents a unique opportunity to lay a solid and loving foundation that will last a lifetime. It is also when parents - whether first-time or not - need unfailing support to help them deal with the countless decisions they face every day.

The pregnancy’s over and the baby’s here…what’s a dad supposed to do? Put your other new dad books away - We’re Parents! is going to help you be the best dad (and partner) you can be. Wondering how to burp your newborn? Not sure how to get them to try solids? Desperate to get them to sleep? Adrian Kulp (a four-time dad himself) offers fast, fun, and easy-to-digest advice that other new dad books don’t, making it simple for you to step up and do your part as a brand-new dad.

After Tripoli declared war on the United States in 1801, Barbary pirates captured 300 U.S. sailors and marines. President Jefferson sent navy squadrons to the Mediterranean, but he also authorized a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli. He chose an unlikely diplomat, William Eaton, to lead the mission, but before Eaton departed, Jefferson grew wary of the affair and withdrew his support.

"Girl Dad: Navigating Fatherhood with Daughters" is an indispensable guide for any father who wants to form a strong, healthy, and meaningful relationship with his daughter. This book is more than a guide—it's a celebration of the unique and special bond between a father and his daughter, and it offers real-life tools to make that bond even stronger.

With pregnancy comes a flood of emotions as you anticipate the birth of your little one. Your mind wonders immensely about the various stages, what to expect, and how to do all the right things to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. The goal of this book is to help you stay healthy, find support, locate excellent prenatal care, learn about your nutritional options, understand the importance of maternal care, and give you advice that reflects your preferences and helps you prioritize your baby.

Is cosleeping safe? How important is breastfeeding? Are food allergies preventable? Should we be worried about the aluminum in vaccines? Searching for answers to these tough parenting questions can yield a deluge of conflicting advice. In this revised and expanded edition of The Science of Mom, Alice Callahan, a science writer whose work appears in the New York Times and the Washington Post, recognizes that families must make their own decisions and gives parents the tools to evaluate the evidence for themselves.

Whether you're nervous, exhilarated, or overwhelmed by the idea of motherhood, this is the perfect chance to learn what normal newborn behavior is really like and how best to care for yourself and your little one.

Whether it is at first sight, develops over time with a close friend, or it hits you like a ton of bricks - falling in love is a lyrical life-changing event. Chicken Soup for the Soul Love Stories will transport you to the moments of your life that were filled with devotion and unconditional love.

Whether you are embarking on the journey of pregnancy, or you have already found yourself pregnant, then this is the book for you! Congratulations! Parenthood is one of the most exciting phases of life you will encounter. But there are also so many things to be aware of.