WOW: What influenced you to write a book about penning books that will change the world?
Nina: For many years, I was involved with the San Francisco Writing for Change Conference. I saw how many different types of writers wanted to produce books that created change in lives or the world. And I realized how much information they needed to succeed.
Change the World One Book at a Time: Make a Positive and Meaningful Difference with Your Words was inspired by that experience. I decided to write a book that would provide those writing for change with the education they needed—in the form of a book. And the founder of that conference, literary agent Mike Larsen, encouraged me to write a book on the topic.
While I’m not an activist, I always wanted to write books that change lives—books about personal and spiritual growth. All my books have include discussions related to change. And my books help others write books that change lives.
WOW: Do you believe all genres can have an effect on the world and on the people who read those books – fiction as well as non-fiction?
Nina: Yes, I do. But I believe authors of fiction and creative nonfiction face more of a challenge
when it comes to inspiring and motivating readers to change. That doesn’t mean they can’t do so, but they will have to work harder on their craft to accomplish that goal.
Nonfiction is well suited to offering plans, research, strategies, and other things that move people to do something different. Look at how many nonfiction books exist with the words “how-to” in their titles; they all provide information on change.
WOW: Can you share a book that changed the way you looked at the world?
changed how I looked at the world. It is considered fiction, although it's a philosophical, inspirational novel that blurs lines with self-help and spirituality. It tells a story about reality, miracles, and becoming your own messiah through the adventures of two barnstorming pilots. It opened my eyes to metaphysics big time, and that topic became a passion of mine.
In the nonfiction realm,
God is a Verb by the late Rabbi David Cooper, also changed how I looked at the world—or at least God. And it introduced me to the mystical study of Kabbalah.
WOW: What is your advice for someone who has a message they want to share, but they don’t feel they are a writer?
Nina: If you don’t feel you are a writer, you can get help. You can hire a ghostwriter, if you have the funds. Or you can write a “messy first draft” and then hire a great editor to clean it up for you; this type of collaboration can prove very successful with the editor even doing a little ghostwriting for you. Of course, you can speak your book; then have an editor edit the transcripts.
I’d also encourage anyone who doesn’t think they are a writer to change that thought. (Coach hat coming on here…) As long as you believe you aren’t a writer, you will feel challenged to write. So, tell yourself you are a writer…or are becoming a writer, and then start writing. If you write, you are a writer.
WOW: What about those who aren’t sure their idea is “big enough” to qualify as changing the world?
Nina: As for an idea not being “big enough” to change the world: if you produce a book that changes one life, that starts the ripple of change. One life impacts another life.
Change doesn’t have to be huge. It can be a tiny movement—like the fluttering of butterfly wings that creates wind all the way across the globe.
"If you produce a book that changes one life, that starts the ripple of change. One life impacts another life."
WOW: What an amazing way to think about our writing out there in the world. Can you tell us about the journey to get Change the World One Book at a Time out into the world?
Nina: It was a long one! I had the idea about 15 years ago. A few years after that, I partnered with someone to create a course based on the idea. That person claimed to have rights to the book, so I had to hire a lawyer and buy them from her. Later, I had an agent pitch the idea, but he never sold it. I began pitching the book after that. I even hired my literary attorney to pitch to the bigger houses for me. In the end, I pitched to a publisher that had voiced an interest in the book when my agent was still representing me; she was still interested. Then the COVID pandemic hit…and two years or so passed. In early 2024, I reached out to the publisher again. On December 31, I signed a contract for the book. There was one more hiccup, but here we are year later…and the book releases tomorrow—January 6, 2026.
WOW: So many words popped in to my mind when I read the story of this book. I think I'll go with tenacious. You, Nina, are an incredibly tenacious writer. What is your writing process?
Nina: I come up with an idea. Then I create a table of contents. I might mind-map all the content out so I know what is going in all chapters or I’ll create subheadings for the chapters so I know what sections will be included.
If I want to traditionally publish the project, I work on a book proposal. I use that as a business plan and creative plan for the book, as I wrote about in The Author Training Manual. When I feel the idea has strong legs to stand on, I write the sample chapters. Once the book is sold to a publisher, I write the rest of it quite quickly.
If I plan to self-publish, I go through all the same steps, except I begin writing and do so until the manuscript is complete.
Sometimes, I still book my blogs—the reverse process of blogging books. I wrote about this in the second edition of
How to Blog a Book.
WOW: Is the craft of writing your primary topic/genre or do you do other types of writing?
Nina: I set out to write about Jewish spiritual and mystical topics. But my first agent asked me to “get published” by writing about what I knew best—writing and publishing. As time went on, I changed my view on the initial topics I wanted to pursue; they become nondenominational or about general personal and spiritual growth.
My current agent is pitching a book that is personal growth. Like those other topics, it comes out of religion (sort of) but is meant from anyone who wants to change—specifically to change their personal stories.
WOW: If you could give writers one piece of advice what would it be?
Nina: Pursue personal growth or development. The only thing standing in the way of you becoming a writer or an author is you—your old stories, beliefs, mental chatter, fears, etc. The way to succeed as a writer and author is to get out of your own way by undertaking personal change. Become the type of person who can write and publish a book; that identity comes with the habits and mindset of a successful writer.
"The only thing standing in the way of you becoming a writer or an author is you—your old stories, beliefs, mental chatter, fears, etc. The way to succeed as a writer and author is to get out of your own way by undertaking personal change."
WOW: What’s up next for your writing?
Nina: My literary agent currently is pitching a book of mine about telling sacred stories—stories that help us fulfill our potential. This book includes writing exercises but is not for writers per se. It is for those wanting to stop allowing their old personal stories to hold them back and craft new ones that help them create a desired future.
Additionally, in 2026 I hope to revise and release two of my self-published Write Nonfiction NOW! guides and my first traditionally published book, How to Blog a Book. And, I want to submit a few proposals for other book projects.
--Blog Tour Calendar
January 5th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Change the Word One Book at a Time by Nina Amir - the day before its January 6 launch! Read an interview with the author and enter to win!
January 6th @ Shoe's Seeds & Stories
Want to make a writing resolution for 2026? Don't miss the review of Change the Word One Book at a Time by Nina Amir.
January 7th @ Create Write Now!
Author Nina Amir stops by to ask the big question: Are you Ready to Write a Book that Changes Lives?
January 8th @ Lisa Haselton Book Reviews & Interviews
Meet nonfiction author Nina Amir and learn more about her latest book Change the World One Book at a Time.
January 9th @ A Wonderful World of Words
Do you have a cause close to your heart? Nina Amir tells how you can Strengthen Your Cause with Community and shares an excerpt from Change the World One Book at a Time.
January 10th @ Boys' Mom Reads!
Want to look at writing through new eyes? Check out Nina Amir's latest book Change the World One Book at a Time.
January 12th @ Kaecey McCormick
Learn more about author Nina Amir in today's interview.
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/
January 13th @ All Things Writing
What Makes Writing for Change Different? Think about your writing in a new way with Nina Amir, author of Change the World One Book at a Time.
January 14th @ Hook of a Book
Hook of a Book is spotlighting Nina Amir's latest book Change the World One Book at a Time. Stop by and enter the book giveaway.
January 15th @ Words by Webb
Jodi has thoughts about who she thinks would benefit from Nina Amir's Change the Word One Book at a Time
January 16th @ What Is This Book About
Attention writers! Do more than just put words on paper. Learn more with an excerpt from Nina Amir's Change the Word One Book at a Time.
January 19th @ Chapter Break
Want to change the world? Author Nina Amir explains why every activist should write a book.
January 22nd @ Knotty Needle
Judy reviews a book that could change the way you think about writing: Change the Word One Book at a Time by Nina Amir.
January 23rd @ Weekend Care Package
Author Nina Amir is planning the perfect weekend - pop by to find out what she's putting in her Weekend Care Package.
January 26th @ Hook of a Book
What's the secret to writing a change inspiring book? Nina Amir, author of Change the World One Book at a Time reveals the answer in today's guest post.
January 28th @ Writer Advice
Prolific non-fiction writer Nina Amir stops by with thoughts on being an Author of Change.
January 31st @ Jill Sheet's Blog
Meet Nina Amir, the author of several books, and learn more about her latest: Change the World One Book at a Time.
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