At Firehorse Media, I work with leaders, entrepreneurs, and survivors who are ready to turn their stories into powerful books. Whether you’re writing to establish yourself as an authority in your field, to leave a legacy for your family, or to share your personal journey of resilience and healing, one of the most important early decisions you’ll make is this: Is your book practical, inspirational, or both?
This decision shapes everything—the tone of your writing, the way you structure your chapters, the stories you share, and ultimately, how your book connects with your audience.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the three main types of nonfiction books, share examples of each, and help you decide which approach best fits your vision. I’ll also share insights from experts in the field of nonfiction, memoir, and legacy writing, and how to bring these strategies together if you’re considering writing your own book.
Why This Choice Matters
Nonfiction is a broad category, covering everything from practical guides to deeply personal memoirs. But readers come to nonfiction with a purpose—they want to learn, they want to be inspired, or they want both. When you define your book’s purpose early, you:
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Clarify your audience (who you’re really writing for)
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Shape your structure (step-by-step framework vs. storytelling arc)
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Build your authority (practical expertise, inspirational voice, or both)
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Streamline your writing process (because you know what belongs and what doesn’t)
Think of it this way: writing without this decision is like planning a trip without choosing a destination. You’ll wander without direction. But when you know your book’s purpose, every word points in the right direction.
Practical Nonfiction Books
Practical nonfiction books are built around tools, strategies, frameworks, and actionable advice. Their purpose is to guide readers step-by-step toward solving a problem or achieving a result.
Examples of Practical Nonfiction
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Business & Leadership: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey — frameworks for better leadership and decision-making.
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Personal Finance: Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin — a method for transforming your relationship with money.
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Travel: A 10-day guide to Italy with itineraries, packing lists, and insider tips.
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Healing: A workbook for childhood trauma survivors with journaling prompts and exercises.
Practical books are often the go-to choice for entrepreneurs, consultants, HR leaders, and managers who want to establish themselves as experts in their industry. A practical nonfiction book positions you as the person with answers—and in the business world, that’s a powerful advantage.
Inspirational Nonfiction Books
Inspirational nonfiction, on the other hand, is story-driven. It invites readers into a journey, showing them what’s possible through lived experience.
Examples of Inspirational Nonfiction
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Memoir: Educated by Tara Westover — a story of growing up in a survivalist family and finding freedom through education.
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Survivor Story: Know My Name by Chanel Miller — reclaiming identity and voice after sexual assault.
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Travel Memoir: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert — self-discovery through global travel.
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Healing Story: A survivor sharing how revisiting and re-parenting their inner child led to freedom.
Inspirational books resonate emotionally. They don’t just give readers steps—they give readers hope. This style works especially well for leaders and coaches who want to build a personal brand that is relatable, human, and deeply connected to the audience they serve.
Books That Blend Both
Some of the most impactful nonfiction books do both. They share authentic stories that inspire while also providing practical frameworks to follow.
Examples of Hybrid Nonfiction
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Daring Greatly by Brené Brown — vulnerable stories of courage, paired with research and practical tools.
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Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant — blending memoir of loss with resilience strategies.
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The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins — a personal story of struggle combined with a simple, actionable framework.
For many of my clients at Firehorse Media, this blended approach is the most powerful. You don’t have to choose between being a guide and being a storyteller—you can be both.
Writing as Healing (and Why It Matters for Business Leaders Too)
Writing isn’t just about publishing—it’s about processing. For survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), for example, writing can be a profound act of healing. Both men and women experience CSA, and most often at the hands of someone within the family or a trusted circle. These secrets, bottled up, fester. They hold us back.
When we return to that inner child—the one so tragically and irresponsibly harmed—and begin to parent them with compassion, something shifts. Journaling can be the first step. And for some, that journaling evolves into a book. Even if that book isn’t published, the act of writing is transformative.
And here’s the connection for leaders: the more you know yourself, the better you lead. Leaders who have faced, processed, and shaped their stories into words bring more humanity, resilience, and authenticity to their industries. That’s why writing a book—whether practical, inspirational, or both—isn’t just a personal project. It’s a leadership tool.
What Other Experts Say About Nonfiction Writing
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Brooke Warner (She Writes Press) emphasizes the power of memoir as a tool for truth-telling and empowerment, especially for voices often left out of traditional publishing.
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Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird, reminds us that writing begins with “short assignments”—small steps toward capturing the story.
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Donald Miller, in Building a StoryBrand, demonstrates how story structure is not just for memoir but for business messaging.
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Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones, frames writing as a spiritual and healing practice—a perspective that resonates for survivors and leaders alike.
By weaving in these approaches—storytelling, structure, and healing—your book can serve both you and your audience.
How to Decide Which Type of Book to Write
Ask yourself:
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Who am I writing for? (Yourself? Survivors? Industry peers? Clients?)
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What do I want readers to walk away with? (Tools? Hope? Both?)
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What role do I want this book to play in my business or legacy?
If your goal is authority and expertise, lean practical.
If your goal is connection and impact, lean inspirational.
If your goal is transformation—for yourself and others—blend the two.
Bringing It All Together
At Firehorse Media, I help clients make this crucial decision early, then build out everything else—chapter outlines, writing schedules, publishing strategies, and marketing plans—so their book is not only written, but also read, shared, and remembered.
Whether you are a survivor, an entrepreneur, or a business leader, your book can be practical, inspirational, or both. What matters most is that it is authentically yours—rooted in your experience, your expertise, and your voice.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re ready to write your nonfiction, legacy, or memoir book, I’d love to help you shape it from the very first page. At Firehorse Media, we don’t just help you write—we help you position your book as a strategic asset for your healing, your leadership, and your business.
👉 Contact Firehorse Media today to start your journey: www.firehorsemedia.co.za