In early 2010, Cengage released the second edition of my first book, Why New Systems Fail. Since that time, I’ve thought about updating some of my prior texts but ultimately decided against it. Today, I’ll pose some questions that authors should ask and honestly answer before embarking on a proper rewrite.

Is it your decision to make?

Let’s start with the obvious query.

Say that you want to release a second edition. Legally, however, you lack the right. When traditional publishers ink deals with authors, the contracts spell out who gets to do what with the content. If this is the case and you independently release a second edition of your title, you’re breaching your contract and asking for trouble.

Of course, you can ask your publisher to rescind the rights to your title. If the answer is yes, then read the tea leaves: Your book is not selling well, and future sales will be minimal. Before proceeding, though, wait until you sign an agreement granting you the book’s rights. It will take months for that contract to arrive.

If you self-published your title or worked with a hybrid publisher like Racket, then you’re in the clear. (Years ago, I heard of some subsidy presses including restrictive language in their client agreements about the ownership of intellectual property. If this is the case, run.)

Did the first version sell well?

Again, the type of publisher matters. If you worked with Penguin, Wiley, or O’Reilly, you may want to revisit your book’s first edition. If the book didn’t earn out, however, then you’re fighting an uphill battle with your acquisitions editor. By way of contrast, I guarantee you that Robert Cialdini’s agent and acquisitions editor were begging him to write a new version of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. The original was a bona fide hit that sold a boatload of copies.

If a new edition isn’t in the cards for your hardcover, then maybe you can swing a paperback with your publisher, although the book’s changes will likely be minimal.

If you independently published your book, nothing is stopping you—including disappointing sales of the first version. Still, ask yourself a few related questions:

• Why did the book sell so few copies?
• Are the results likely to be different this time around?
• What will you do to up your chances of success the second go-round?

These answers will help guide your decisions.

What Authors Can Learn From Accountants and Payroll Managers

How big are the revisions?

Regardless of your publishing method, are you significantly reworking its content? Updating a few figures with new dates and adding an afterword don’t count. Ask yourself if the changes are meaningful enough for a fan of the original to buy the book again. If the answer is no, then it’s best to pass. You don’t want customers calling your revised version a blatant money grab.

My friend Scott Berkun wrote his first book, The Art of Project Management, in 2005. It did well, and O’Reilly allowed him to expand it. Released in 2008, Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management isn’t just the original with a new title, cover, and body font.

Is the second edition a marked improvement over the first?

In the case of my first book, the answer was an unequivocal yes. I mistakenly and arrogantly thought in 2008 that I could handle all aspects of the publishing process.

Boy, was I wrong, and I’ll never make that mistake again.

Cengage’s team took my book to the next level. The second edition’s design, figures, typeface, cover, index, editing, and overall presentation far exceeded those of its predecessor.

Has the world shifted in some meaningful way?

In a related vein, what specifically warrants a new version of your original book?

Even if your book sold well, is it the only one on the topic or have hundreds of other books arrived?

In the case of Why New Systems Fail, the rise of cloud computing and software-as-a-service qualify as enterprise IT game-changers. If I ever did revisit my 2010 title, then I’d have to rework the original manuscript to account for it.

Is there a glaring need in the marketplace?

Even if your book sold well, is it the only one on the topic, or have thousands of other books arrived since yours did? If it’s still a blue ocean, there might still be an opportunity. If you’re looking at a red one, then think carefully about proceeding.

A 2024 Amazon Prediction

Beyond individual book sales, is there a way for you to monetize the new revision?

Here are a few sub-questions to think about:

• Will the new edition help you land more conference-speaking gigs?
• Could a new edition reasonably allow you to raise your consulting or speaking rates?
• Do you teach classes or do group coaching sessions?
• Are bespoke copies and bulk sales legitimate options?
• Will the new edition help you reach new audiences?

If you think so, then you could definitely make the case for proceeding.

The decision to pen a proper second edition isn’t easy. These are just a few things to consider. Let me know if you’d like to chat about your specific case. Either way, good luck.