Making the Leap from Business Books to Fiction
You know that story you’ve been carrying around for years — the one you compose in your mind every time you’re stuck in traffic, can't sleep at 3 in the morning, or are ignoring the laundry?
That one.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you should turn that idea into a fiction book, this one’s for you.
Because here’s the thing most people don’t realise:
Writing fiction isn’t “less serious” or “less strategic” than writing a business book. It’s just a different kind of power.
Let’s break down whether a fiction book might be the perfect next step for you.
Fiction Builds a Different Kind of Visibility
Business books make you the expert.
Fiction books make you unforgettable.
A great story weaves itself into someone’s imagination in a way no how-to guide ever can. If your brand or mission involves emotion, connection, community, or storytelling (and let’s be honest, that’s most of us), then a fiction book can amplify that beautifully.
People might forget a framework, but they never forget characters they love.
It Lets You Explore Themes You Can't Always State Directly
Sometimes you have a message you want to spread, but putting it into “teacher mode” feels clunky. Fiction lets you explore themes like:
resilience
identity
healing
leadership
reinvention
grief
spirituality
ambition
…all without getting on a soapbox.
Readers absorb your message through the story — and half the time they don’t even realise it’s happening.
Sneaky? Maybe. Effective, though.
Fiction Helps You Reach a Whole New Audience
If your business relies on people connecting with you, not just your expertise, then publishing fiction creates a wider, more emotionally invested audience.
Your fiction fans can go on to become clients simply because your worldview resonated with them.
They read one novel and think, “I love how this person sees the world… what else do they do?”
And suddenly, fiction funnels new people into your ecosystem — gently and organically.
It Can Be the Most Joyful Writing You’ll Ever Do
Writing a business book can sometimes feel like assembling flat-pack furniture.
Necessary. Worth it. But occasionally you need a lie down afterwards.
Maybe the first one you wrote was full of passion and flowed, but by the second or third it started to feel a little dry. Maybe a tad forced.
Fiction, though?
Fiction can feel like play.
If you’ve been craving creativity, self-expression, or a project that lights up a dusty corner of your brain, writing a novel can be downright nourishing.
You get to:
build worlds
craft characters
follow threads where they lead
let your imagination off the leash
For many authors, fiction becomes their favourite escape and their most fulfilling achievement.
When Is Fiction Not the Best Next Move?
Fiction is wonderful, but it’s not always the right project right now.
It may not be the best fit if:
You need a book that supports sales quickly
You’re hoping for fast authority in your industry
You need a clear, direct link between your book and your business offer
You struggle with long-term creative projects (novels require persistence, even for the wildly enthusiastic)
If your priority is generating leads or boosting credibility fast, a business book will usually do more for you in the short term.
But if your heart is pointing toward a story you can’t shake, listen to it.
Want the Safest Way to Know if Fiction Is Worth Pursuing?
Start with my free guide: Is Your Book Idea Worth Pursuing?
Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, this quick tool helps you figure out:
is the idea strong?
is it strategic?
is now the right time?
You’ll know exactly what to do next — and you’ll stop second-guessing yourself to pieces.
Here's the link to grab it: https://jowildsmith.com/worth-pursuing
Final Thought: Fiction Isn’t “Frivolous” — It Can be Transformational
People build entire inner worlds from the stories they read. They have freedom to go beyond the confines of reality. Ask the first fiction author to publish with JWP, Steve Havis, who penned the brilliant Fiendish Monsters: Caught by Evil.
If you feel called to write fiction, that’s not random.
It’s a nudge.
And who knows?
This might be the book that surprises you, and everyone else.
If you want support bringing it to life — from shaping the idea to publishing it beautifully — check out Opus II and III.
