How to Write an ABA Book: Collaboration, Deadlines, and the Editing Process

In this episode of the Law Practice podcast, Terrell interviews Catherine Sanders Reach, a co-author of an ABA book on design thinking, about what it’s like to write and publish with the ABA. Catherine explains how the project began at ABA TECHSHOW, became a collaborative effort with multiple authors, and was assembled into a practical guide featuring real attorney stories and worksheets. She shares her writing workflow—outlining and research first, removing distractions by turning off email and phone, using music to focus, and relying on deadlines for motivation—plus tips on choosing the best time of day to work. Catherine describes the iterative editing process, including peer review, handling critical feedback, and refining organization to match how readers learn. She outlines a typical timeline of about a year and discusses her recent 900-page managing editor project and interest in a future book on project management for lawyers.

00:00 Focus Rituals
00:17 Podcast Intro Disclaimer
00:56 Meet Catherine Sanders Reach
01:15 Design Thinking Book Origin
02:44 Writing Workflow
04:03 Music For Focus
04:49 Editing And Peer Review
06:20 Feedback And Structure
09:00 Book Timeline And Delays
10:17 Future Book Ideas
11:19 Wrap Up And Publishing Tips
12:24 Outro And Subscribe