Books by Mark Levy

Accidental GeniusAccidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content

When it comes to creating ideas, we hold ourselves back. That’s because inside each of us is an internal editor whose job is to forever polish our thoughts, so we sound smart and in control, and so that we fit into society. But what happens when we encounter problems where such conventional thinking fails us? How to get unstuck?

For Mark Levy, the answer is freewriting, a technique he’s used for years to solve all types of business problems, and generate ideas for books, articles and blog posts.

Freewriting is deceptively simple: Start writing as fast as you can, for as long as you can, about a subject you care deeply about, while ignoring the standard rules of grammar and spelling. Your internal editor won’t be able to keep up with your output, and will be temporarily shunted into the background. You’ll now be able to think more honestly and resourcefully than before, and will generate breakthrough ideas and solutions that you couldn’t have created any other way.

Levy shares six freewriting secrets designed to knock out your editor and let your genius run free. He also includes fifteen problem-solving and creativity-stimulating principles you can use if you need more firepower—seven of which are new to this edition—and stories of problems he and others have solved through freewriting.

Also new to this edition: an extensive section on how to refine your freewriting into something you can share with the world. Although Levy originally taught freewriting as a private brainstorming technique, over the years he and his clients have found that, with some tweaking, it’s a great way to generate content for books, articles, and other thought leadership pieces.

“I’ve been a fanboy of ‘Accidental Genius’ and the genius of Mark Levy for five years now, and I couldn’t work without these ideas.”
David Meerman Scott, author of “The New Rules of Marketing & PR”

“‘Accidental Genius’ is a favorite.”
Chris Brogan (via Twitter), co-author of “Trust Agents” and author of “Social Media 101”

“I’m eternally grateful that Mark Levy wrote “Accidental Genius,” because it changed my mind about so many things.”
Michael McLaughlin, author of “Winning the Professional Services Sale” and “Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants”

“I’m devouring your book, Mark. This is on a par with ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’ This is fundamental stuff you’ve tapped into – timeless. This book should be taught in every school. You must keep up the marketing til you hit the tipping point.”
Nick Corcodilos, Founder of asktheheadhunter.com

“For four months the manuscript [to the book I was writing] sat because I couldn’t figure out what wasn’t working with it. I used one of the techniques in Mark’s book . . . The answers led me to a new book title and format change and within two weeks the book was finished and a publishing deal was put to bed.”
Lois Kelly, author of “Beyond Buzz” and “Be the Noodle”

“I just read the new edition of your book on my way to go camping, and it’s already inspired me to write my next book. I’m working on it now. Thanks!”
Jake Jacobs, author of “Real Time Strategic Change” and co-author of “You Don’t Have to Do it Alone: How to Involve Others to get Things Done

“Accidental Genius” is available at these fine booksellers:

BERRETT-KOEHLER |  AMAZON | 800 CEO READ | POWELL’S BOOKS |  BARNES & NOBLE |  BORDERS