Book Title: Every journalist should write a book
Author: Niran Adedokun
Number Pages: 144
Publisher: TBLNG Press
Year of Publication: 2024
Reviewer: Oluwatoyin Aliyah Ololade
This book titled Every Journalist Should Write A Book is a treasure. It’s a must read for every journalist. It serves as both a practical guide and a wake-up call for journalists to explore the vast world of journalism and deploy their inherent storytelling skills to writing impactful books. Written by Niran Adedokun, a seasoned journalists, the book parades a number of compelling reasons why every journalist should consider writing a book. It also puts the readers – journalists – on the track to actualising the dream of having a book or more to their credit.
The 144-page book is made up eleven chapters which explicitly give an inkling of what to expect. With the titles of the different chapters, a reader cannot possibly be in doubt as to the intention of the writer who is also a lawyer and Public Relations practitioner. The first chapter is “Who is a Journalist”, the second is “Why Write a Book?”, while chapter three is “Why You Haven’t Written”.
Other chapters are “What You Can Write”; “Those Who Did It Before”; “Finding Ideas For Your Book”; “Steps to Writing Your Book” and “Now Write”. The last three chapters are “Five Things to Watch”, “Publishing and Marketing”, and “My book Writing Experience.”
While emphasizing the importance of journalists to embrace book writing, Adedokun shares a personal experience when he and a friend lost a publishing opportunity despite having the qualifications. They were invited to pitch a book in celebration of an educational institution’s anniversary, but because he hadn’t written a book of his own at the time, they missed out on the deal. He strongly believes that having a published book would have increased their chances. That incident taught him a bitter lesson so to say, and led to his first book, Ladies Calling the Shots.
In the opening chapter, Adedokun defines his major target: “This book’s primary concern is the traditional journalist, who in my opinion has every skill to be an author and succeed at it.” He argues that although “writing a book is not the exclusive preserve of any group of people, the book is an attempt to encourage journalists, many of whom may not have thought about exploring the opportunities that the ancillary endeavour of book writing present.” This clarification, the author must have thought becomes expedient in view of the rise of quacks and citizen journalists who often lack formal training yet make a lot of money through the “juicy details they serve on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, X and TikTok.”
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Among the many reasons why journalists should venture into book writing, according to him, is the simple but powerful affirmation: “You Can.” These two words capture the essence of the message — journalists possess a natural ability to craft compelling stories with the right hooks, regardless of their beat. The skill and talent, he reasons should naturally earns them credibility and trust, positioning them to produce meaningful books. Additionally some other things work for journalists, one of which is that journalists are trained observers — a skill that fuels creativity. He says in the light of global economic challenges, writing valuable books also presents an opportunity for journalists to build a sustainable source of income.
Other reasons he gave for the need to write books are that it increases the influence of the journalist and makes him a thought leader or consultant; it gives the opportunity to record history; it enables him to impact lives and create a legacy or immortalize himself, among others.
Journalists already possess the essential qualities—keen observation, compelling storytelling, and the discipline of deadlines. What remains is the courage to begin.
To be able to write a book, Adedokun urges journalists to purge themselves of certain factors that may keep the idea of writing a book forever remain a mere dream. They include self-doubt; the fear of “who will read what I write” and lack of money to publish among others. Here, the author explores the internal struggles journalists often face—particularly the fear that holds many back from pursuing book writing, despite having remarkable ideas. He emphasizes that the difference lies in one’s mindset. Quoting Carol Dweck, he explains that individuals with a fixed mindset are limited by their existing abilities and tend to give up when faced with challenges, while those with a growth mindset believe in their capacity to acquire new skills and knowledge, no matter how intimidating the task may seem. Reason therefore that Adedokun posited that overcoming fear is key to unlocking a journalist’s full creative potential.
The author thoroughly outlines various reasons why prospective writers often give up, with a particular emphasis on how fear manifests in those aspiring to write — a key factor contributing to their hesitation. As previously discussed, mindset plays a vital role in the decisions we make. The book offers practical suggestions for overcoming mental blocks, encouraging readers to adopt a growth mindset over a fixed one. It serves as a powerful call to action for aspiring writers to begin their journey, create a legacy, and positively impact lives through writing.
For those unsure of how to begin, the book offers guidance and creative insights for generating ideas, even with minimal resources. The author also identifies several beats and subject areas where journalists can focus their writing to achieve profound impact — ideas that I found both interesting and inspiring. For journalists who may feel unsure about what area to write on, this book serves as a helpful guide, providing clear direction and motivation.
Notably, the book highlights several journalists who transitioned into successful authors, showing that the journey is possible and rewarding. One prominent example is a popular British writer, Charles Dickens, who began his career as a parliamentary reporter with The Mirror of Parliament. His experience in journalism is believed to have significantly influenced his literary style. Dickens went on to write 15 novels, five novellas, and hundreds of short stories and nonfiction works. Remarkably, nearly 150 years after his death, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that his works generate around 280 million euros annually for the United Kingdom’s economy. Dickens maximized his talents as both a journalist and a writer.
Another example is Nigerian journalist and author, Azuh Arinze, who has spent nearly three decades in the field. He became the editor of Reel Stars Magazine at just 26 and has since emerged as one of Nigeria’s most prolific journalist-authors. Arinze shared that the books he has written have yielded significant dividends — not just financially, but in fulfillment. He stated that being an author brings a sense of joy, happiness, and deep satisfaction that cannot be compared. According to him, there is nothing more fulfilling than having the world read, enjoy, and commend your work.
The author also cites the example of Ernest Hemingway, winner of the 1952 Nobel Prize for Literature who wrote, among other books, A Farewll To Arms; The Sun Also Rises; For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. Other examples of journalists who had authored books are Napolean Hill, Mark Twain, Nigeria’s Simon Kolawole of The Cable, Anthony Kanayo Onwordi, popularly known as Toni Kan and Olukorede Yishau of The Nation.
Adedokun shares valuable insights on how journalists can generate ideas for writing books. He strongly emphasizes that regardless of the type of book a journalist intends to write, there is no shortcut to success — they must read, and read extensively. Immersing oneself in reading is essential to develop depth, creativity, and clarity in writing, he says.
One key piece of advice he gives is to place oneself in the shoes of the potential readers: imagine the kind of story you would love to read—and then write that story. The chapter titled, “Finding Ideas for Your Book” is packed with tips to help prospective authors discover and nurture their ideas. The author also outlines clear, coherent steps to writing a book. He highlights the importance of organising one’s thoughts—whether through planning, plotting, or drafting an outline. I particularly appreciate this chapter because it pushes aspiring authors to be intentional and focused. There’s no room for excuses — if you have the ideas and the ability to write, then you are fully capable of producing a book.
Reading this book has made me realize just how much can change within a year when one is committed and determined. According to the author, it took him less than a year to write a book after the bitter experience he had losing a book writing deal because he had no book to his credit. Even in the face of doubt, a clear goal and focused mindset can lead to incredible accomplishments. More than ever, I see how important it is for every journalist to embrace a growth mindset—a mindset that believes in learning, evolving, and pushing boundaries.
The final message of this book is both empowering and urgent: There is a wealth of educational insight embedded in its pages that can guide any journalist eager to transition into authorship. As Adedokun firmly states, “Every journalist can write a book.” Journalists already possess the essential qualities—keen observation, compelling storytelling, and the discipline of deadlines. What remains is the courage to begin.
Well edited and proofread, the book is however not without an error. At least, one is seen on Page 6 in the reference to the former governor of Lagos State, Lateef Kayode Jakande, LKJ, as “LJK”. But the error is so insignificant that it does not put a dent on the quality of the book in any way. Printer’s devil simply explains this. The cover design exudes creativity at its best, adding to the overall quality of the book. As stated earlier, this is a must read for journalists in particular and for others in general. Without doubt, Adedokun deserves a resounding applause for the good work. What more? No excuse. Every journalist should pick a copy of the book and become an author soon!
