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 Rituals00:17 Podcast Intro Disclaimer00:56 Meet Catherine Sanders Reach01:15 Design Thinking Book Origin02:44 Writing Workflow04:03 Music For Focus04:49 Editing And Peer Review06:20 Feedback And Structure09:00 Book Timeline And Delays10:17 Future Book Ideas11:19 Wrap Up And Publishing Tips12:24 Outro And Subscribe