The Worst Book.

When my childhood dream to become an airline pilot hadn’t become a reality at 30 years old, I felt like I had wasted my life and didn’t know what to do. I was in Jamaica in April 2012, drifting to sleep one night, when the idea to write The Worst Book I’ll Ever Write came to me. I slept soundly that night, but the next day I started writing and five days later, my first book was available on Amazon and Kindle. I didn’t even get to proof a hard copy before publishing because I had to have the proof delivered to New York. I wasn’t actually able to hold a copy until May.

I had written a book to overcome writers block, but the feedback I received from readers, highlighted to me that there was a deeper message woven in to the words I had written - the need for us all to overcome the need for perfection and just get things done, whatever that may be. It emphasised the truth that we all have something inside of us that we need to share with the world because the world is waiting for us to share it … if only we would just stop trying to reach perfection and get it done.

The book is only 63 pages long, people have started and finished it on a train home, so it’s not an epic piece of literature, but I believe it’s simplicity is what makes it a powerful piece of work. It also means that anytime you need a reminder of the message, you can have a quick read.

“I wish more self-help books were written like yours, direct and to the point. I really become tired with authors who write in circles and take a whole book to make one point. What a waste of paper and my time!”- Scott, New York City

“I couldn’t stop reading! I just read the whole thing! So good, Anny!!! Humorous, interesting, inspiring! I love the essence!!! Please keep writing! You have inspired me to!” - Heidi, Toronto Canada

My goal was never to become an author, I just wanted to see one of my ideas to completion; I was a 30 year old who felt like a failure and just wanted to feel a bit better about myself, my life and my ability to finish and achieve something.

From the age of 8, I had wanted to fly planes. I never had a plan B because I’d never considered that I wouldn’t fly, so at 30 years old I found myself feeling very lost. I watched my friends soaring in their careers while I felt like a child trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.

Writing had always been something that I did, but it was my quiet, safe space that I didn’t really share with others, so I’d never considered it could be a significant part of my career or my future.

The book was a catalyst to explore, grow and try new things. I had a book signing hosted for me in Atlanta in June 2012 - it was mind-blowing to meet and hear from people who had read the book and had received so much from it.

There were some young girls who attended and I went to speak with them. One of the girls said, “I’m so nervous, I’ve never met an author before.” I was confused for a moment, before realising that I was the author she was talking about! That was a moment I will treasure.

My audience told me I was inspiring, but they all inspired me to commit to my own journey - a new adventure in my life.

“I absolutely loved this book! I was sceptical because of its size, but it’s just the right amount to get Ms Johnson’s message across. It is more than a how-to but the documentation and validation of a journey that everyone who reads it will benefit from. Thank you Anny for your optimism and inspiration” - Beatriz, Atlanta

My life became an opportunity to play and I tried many different things. Not only was I discovering what I did and didn’t like about writing, but the book opened the door to other experiences and opportunities that allowed me to meet different people and try a range of things. As someone who had spent many years focused on science and mathematics subjects, it was freeing to give myself permission to be more creative and express myself in ways that I hadn’t intentionally done since I was a child.

Photography. Art. Books. eBooks. Magazines. Coaching. Copy. Fashion. Charity. Ministry. Travel. Cooking. Body. Speaking.

I felt alive in my body and felt that I was learning more about myself every time I expressed my essence through creative projects. I was also being challenged and breaking through personal issues that had been holding me back. I realised that for so long, my identity had been attached to becoming an airline pilot, but there was so much more to me than that.

“Great idea and great content. The friendly, down-to-earth writing style helps the reader relate to the author and what she is saying. This book is definitely motivational. I’m going to try her system myself!… if this is the worst book this author writes, she has a successful career ahead,” Judge, Writer’s Digest 21st Annual Self-Published Book Awards

The Worst Book I’ll Ever Write has always kept me going and I’ve used it to refocus my mind when I get distracted. In 2015, when I was experiencing mental health challenges and often found my mind racing and panic setting in, I had an idea - to turn my book in to a piece of art and create The Worst Book I’ll Ever Make.

I spent a few weeks on the project and it really helped to focus and still my thoughts and emotions. Simple steps, such as creating a line guide before writing my book out my hand, were exactly what I needed. When I finished the project, just like The Worst Book I’ll Ever Write had spoken back to me, The Worst Book I’ll Ever Make proved to be a lot deeper and meaningful than I expected. There was a message in it that I needed more than anything at that time.

HANDWRITTEN: I wrote the whole book by hand with a calligraphy pen, resurrecting a skill that I had learned and practiced regularly at school as a child. It reminded me that I already had all I needed to fulfil my dreams and it was all just sitting inside, waiting for me to breathe life in to it again.

BINDING-FREE: The book has no binding so the pages could end up all over the place. This represented the freedom that I have in my life to do and go anywhere I choose. The pages of my life could get mixed up and not flow how I want or expect them to, but so what? I could fear or I could flow with it.

HARDCOVER: Hardback books are more expensive than paperback. The two pieces of wood that I placed at the back and front represented the increased value contained within this version of The Worst Book I’ll Ever Write - the message is deeper and more valuable.

CONTENT: Feedback from readers proved the value of the content in the book. Copying the content emphasised the message as well as reminding me that there is value in my imperfections too, so nothing about me is a waste.

ACCESSORIES: The book is held together with a dark purple ribbon. The colour represents royalty and reflects who I am. It is wrapped around the book in to a cross as a reminder of the basis of my faith and new belief system - Jesus.

The gift tag represents the fact that my value is a gift, to me and to the world and the price on the tag emphasises that.

COVERING: The book is completely wrapped in a linen fabric. As linen represents ‘LIGHT’ and ‘PURITY’, often seen as the DIVINE, it’s use in THE WORST BOOK I’LL EVER MAKE represented a protection I have around me.

PACKAGING: This book sits in a box surrounded by a collage that represents a world focused on the outer appearance; a world that tells you how to look, how to dress and how to be pleasing to the eye. Placing my perfectly imperfect piece of work in this surrounding, reminded me of my passion to stand up for everyone who doesn’t buckle under the pressure to conform, but chooses to be who they are regardless of what others say or what influences surround them.

OUTER PACKAGING: The book is hidden within a brown outer packaging that is basic and unassuming. It is labelled and represented the idea that I have a lot more value than meets the eye.

“It was a joy to read from beginning to end and such an inspiration. We are lucky to have people in the world like you”

“So easy to read”

“Complete in its simplicity”

“If you’re even thinking about writing and publishing a book, this is just the book you need to give you a good kick in the pants to get it done. Honest, funny and to the point… you’ll wonder why you haven’t started writing much sooner and start looking at writing and publishing in a different light”

“It was not my intention to write a book but I found the content of this book to be relevant to life in general. The realization that perfectionism can get in the way of anything you are attempting to do. A truly eye opening inspirational read. In what might be considered a short book, it really packs a massive punch! Thank you and well done

“If you are an aspiring writer or you love to write but get blocked often. If you are generally a perfectionist, even if you don’t want to write you will find that this book is amazing - it will help you overcome all of the above. In clear language and 4 easy, uncomplicated steps Anny Johnson has produced a work of art in its simplicity … What it does is allows you to write freely and without inhibition. What you end up with is the essence of your message. Which is worth its weight in gold.

I’m currently using the formula to write my first published book. Well done Anny - Genius”

“I love this book. It is not just a motivating book for getting you to write your own first book, it kicks the boulder off your path that has delayed your path to the peak. Self-publishing your first book will now be in sight with the bolder removed. You won’t need excuses to proceed because the what-ifs have all been removed. Four steps to success and no reason to delay any further. Now, read this book and go write your own worst book you will ever write and publish it. … Antoinette Johnson, you should have been very proud of this book. I am very sure you still are. Thank you so much for getting it into my hands”

In 2017 my Grandmother passed away. It means a lot to me that she was able to not only see the publication of my first book, but to read a series of my books after that. The Worst Book I’ll Ever Write and the path it opened up before me, gave me the opportunity to spend quality time with her in the couple of years leading to her passing; it was a time of listening and learning and there’s no achievement that can compare to being there for her as she had been there for me throughout my life.

The Worst Book I’ll Ever Write is about getting things done, but at it’s core is a message about being who you are created to be and sharing that with the world in the most authentic way possible.

“Thinking of writing a book? A ‘how to write’ book that has something really special to offer: Anny Johnson - The Worst Book I’ll Ever Write. Fab title too. This really helped me write my first book.” - Andry Anastasiou, London