Your Book or Your Excuse

Why the 1% of Leaders Publish—and the 99% Get Forgotten

Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 08/22/2026
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

History has shown that written ideas reverberate through generations. But according to bestselling author Alinka Rutkowska, about 99% of successful people end up never recording their path to success. Your Book or Your Excuse is for those 1% of business authors who understand the nuances of publishing and the importance of positioning, branding, and identity. Publishing a book is the best way to show your authority and become the person you want to be. Rutkowska emphasizes that true leaders know how to attract followers through books, creating a strong social identity that demonstrates their leadership. Inside, you will learn about structuring books as lead engines, building trust by writing books, leaders leaving a legacy, leaders using publishing to lead, the benefits of recording lessons from life experiences, the ripple effects of authorship, and more.

Whatever your reason for hesitating about writing a book may be, Your Book or Your Excuse will help you cross that threshold. Alinka Rutkowska has helped many business authors and entrepreneurs achieve the maximum rewards of publishing, and she seeks to help others do the same with this guide. For me, this is the perfect book for authors who want to build and grow their brands and expand their reach into other fields, which will, consequently, turn them into true leaders who can guide others to follow their paths. I liked the fact that Rutkowska chose to show the significance of publishing through case studies, examples, and real-life stories. It makes it easier for readers to engage with the book and find the tools they can use in their own lives. Highly recommended.