Introducing the Likeable Badass Workbook!
She's here and she's amazing.
This was the dedication in my first draft of Likeable Badass:
To those who’ve had to deal with me when I was neither likeable nor badass, especially…
my husband and kids, who often get the worst of me and love me anyway,
anyone who knew me in high school,
and those unfortunate enough to talk to me before I’ve had three cups of coffee.
My editor nixed it.
I thought the dedication page was one place in the book I could say whatever I wanted.
“Well, you can’t say that,” she said.
As I remember it now, two years later, she had two significant pieces of feedback from my first draft:
Lay off the self-deprecation. “These aren’t your high school besties, Alison. People want to read a book from an expert. You can’t be cutting yourself down - especially on page two of the book.”
Cut Chapter 9. This was my original last chapter, intended to offer lots of suggestions about how to practice the strategies presented in the book. My editor didn’t think it was a strong way to end a book, and she thought it was asking too much of the reader. “Reading the book IS the work,” she told me.
I agreed on both counts. For one, I trusted her publishing expertise (she had status, if you will).* Also, her opinions matched my own (except for the dedication). Yes, self-deprecation is one of my bad habits. And I, too, am not a “stop here and do this exercise” type of reader. I just want to read and think.
I still wanted to offer the reader some options for practice and reflection, so I added the plays to practice at the end of each chapter. The reader response to those suggestions has been very positive, suggesting that we made the right call.
But in the nine months since the book was birthed, I now realize that my editor and I are not prototypical readers. I have received countless photos of books filled with sticky notes and requests for a workbook to make it easier to capture learnings.
I could cry tears of joy.
I love, love, love that people have been so impacted and inspired by the book that they want to take immediate action. Yes, that’s why I wrote it, but it’s still surreal when it actually happens.
Enter the Likeable Badass Digital Workbook
After much collaboration from many parties, I am now happy to say “YES!” when readers ask me if there is a workbook.
There are actually two versions: The digital download and the spiral-bound, printed version (which contains additional material). The printed version is for attendees of my events (watch this space for more info on that soon). The digital version is a fillable PDF and is available for free to all subscribers of The Upper Hand, provided they have “purchased the book” (or borrowed it from the library).
This last requirement is to satisfy the publisher’s legal department. The purpose of a workbook is to augment the book, not replace it. And if you haven’t read the book, then the workbook won’t make much sense anyway.
How to Get Your Free Digital Copy
First, subscribe to this newsletter. If you’re reading this and not already subscribed you can do so here:
Second, go to this Google form to read the fine print and submit your request.
Note that I’m asking for you to submit a picture of you with your book. Again, this is my version of a fun “proof of purchase.” If you don’t have a book because you borrowed one or gave yours away afterward, that’s fine. Just send in a photo of something that conveys “likeable badass” to you - I will take you at your word. Could you lie about reading the book and still get the workbook? Maybe. But then you would have failed at being a likeable badass anyway, making the whole exercise pointless.
Third, check your email. We will be fulfilling workbook requests once a week - there’s no automation yet, just me and my team, so be patient with us as we get this new process rolling. When you receive it, I would appreciate it if you don’t forward it. If a friend wants one, just send them this newsletter and they can get theirs directly from me.
Fourth, let me know how you like it. I don’t plan to edit the workbook daily, but I do expect it to evolve based on reader feedback. So if there is something you like, don’t like, wish were there but isn’t, etc, please let me know!
Five, tell your friends! Both about the book and the workbook. Likeable Badass has sold over 50,000 copies, driven mainly by reader word-of-mouth.
My latest:
In every virtual or in-person event I get the same final question:
“So…..what are you up to now, Alison?”
Whether explicit or implied, I know there is curiosity about whether I am writing a second book.
I’m flattered by the desire for more Alison on the page, but the answer is no - not yet. As I always say, I’m not JK Rowling. I wasn’t born with a 7-book series inside my head. I do hope to write more books, but mama needs a minute.
This is what I’ve been up to lately:
In other news, the keg of rose should be installed on my porch this week. Now I just need the temperature in Chicago to be higher than 57.
Cheers to success, friends!
*This is also why I complied when she asked me to cut Chapter 1 after I thought the book was already final. The Chapter 1 you know was actually the preface. This is how the sausage gets made, friends.
YESSSS finally, WOOOOO!!!!!
I’m not sure what’s more exciting, the workbook or your input on “Let Them” that I am also reading (and love!)