#12 - Eric Jorgenson on Technology, Writing, and the Future of Publishing
Jan 26, 2024
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Eric Jorgenson, author of 'The Almanac of Naval Ravikant' and 'The Anthology of Balaji', discusses the future of book publishing, the importance of personal health and gratitude, creating quality content, the impact of books on reading habits, the changing landscape of publishing, the role of creators in the creator economy, and compiling the wisdom of Elon Musk.
Success often requires years of dedicated work and overnight success is a rarity.
Finding the right books that align with personal interests and goals is crucial for personal growth.
Self-publishing platforms and the evolving creator economy have disrupted the traditional publishing landscape, offering authors more creative control and higher royalties.
Deep dives
The Power of Storytelling and Craft
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of studying people's stories and understanding the journey and hard work behind their success. It highlights the idea that overnight success is often the result of years of dedication to one's craft. The host shares his conversations with young, ambitious individuals and asks them if they've read 'The Almanac of Naval Ravikant,' a book highly regarded for its concise and applicable insights. The guest, Eric Jorgensen, the author of the book, discusses his own journey and the process of writing both 'The Almanac of Naval Ravikant' and 'The Anthology of Balaji Srinivasan.' The conversation explores topics such as the need for background research in podcast interviews, the future of book publishing, and the importance of prioritizing personal health above all else.
The Influence of Early Inspirations
The guest, Eric Jorgensen, shares how his early exposure to entrepreneurialism within his family influenced his mindset and sparked his interest in starting various small businesses. He also discusses how joining hackathons and engaging with the local business community provided valuable learning experiences. Eric credits his passion for reading and curating high-quality content to his blog, Evergreen, where he created curated courses on different topics. He highlights the importance of finding the right books that resonate with one's personal interests and goals. Eric also reflects on the impact of influential figures like Charlie Munger and Naval Ravikant, whose ideas and insights shaped his own thinking and influenced his career path.
The Journey of Writing 'The Almanac of Naval Ravikant' and 'The Anthology of Balaji Srinivasan'
Eric Jorgensen shares his experience in writing both 'The Almanac of Naval Ravikant' and 'The Anthology of Balaji Srinivasan.' He describes how the idea of compiling Naval Ravikant's wisdom into a book emerged after listening to a life-changing podcast episode. Eric highlights the challenge of condensing and filtering vast amounts of public content from Naval's podcasts, tweets, and other writings into a coherent and valuable book. He also discusses the process of collaborating with Tucker Max, the CEO of Scribe Media, for publishing the book. Eric emphasizes the importance of thoroughly editing and polishing every aspect of the book to ensure its long-term relevance and usefulness.
The Power of Books and the Impact of Writing
The conversation delves into the transformative power of books and the impact of writing. The guest and the host discuss how certain books, such as 'The Almanac of Naval Ravikant,' can ignite a love for learning and encourage a pursuit of knowledge. They highlight the significance of finding the right books that resonate with individual interests and provide valuable insights. Eric Jorgensen also shares his thoughts on the value of writing a book, emphasizing that almost everyone has a unique story or valuable ideas to share. He discusses the benefits of writing a book, such as leaving a lasting impact, sharing wisdom, and connecting with a wider audience. Eric acknowledges that writing a book can be a challenging process but emphasizes that it is a rewarding endeavor that can benefit both the author and their readers.
Shift in Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing houses operate on a business model that no longer suits the current publishing landscape. With the rise of self-publishing platforms like Amazon, the need for large upfront capital investments and centralized distribution networks has diminished. Additionally, the influence of centralized media on book sales has waned, with peer-to-peer recommendations and social media playing a larger role. While traditional publishing is not expected to collapse entirely, there is a growing demand for professional publishers like Scribe Media. These publishers offer authors more creative control, higher royalties, and the ability to treat their book as a valuable asset.
Creators and the Changing Landscape
The evolving creator economy and the rise of trust in individuals has created new opportunities for authors and publishers. As trust shifts towards people rather than institutions, creators have the power to recommend products and influence their audience's purchasing decisions. This trend extends to books and publishing, with readers more likely to trust recommendations from creators they follow. Scribe Media aims to work with creators as they transition to becoming authors, leveraging their existing audience and helping them connect with publishers and other business opportunities. The goal is to form mutually beneficial partnerships that prioritize trust, long-term collaboration, and shared success.
Eric Jorgenson (ejorgenson.com) is the author of The Alamanck of Naval Ravikant and The Anthology of Balaji. He is also the CEO of Scribe Media and the host of the Podcast Smart Friends.
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