Taking the Leap: A Book Club Idea Turned Proposal

So, I had a slightly crazy idea. No, not the “adopt a reptile” kind of crazy—more like the “let’s write a book together” kind of crazy. And yes, it took a bit of courage to even type that out. But sometimes, you just have to ignore the little voice saying, “This is weird,” and go for it.

As part of a book club I really love, I thought—why not take our shared love for stories a step further? Instead of just reading stories, why not create one together?

I could have asked ChatGPT (or any other AI assistant) to do the whole thing for me—write the proposal, polish the jokes, even make it witty—but where’s the fun in that? This needed my voice, my energy, my slightly chaotic enthusiasm.

The idea was simple: a collaborative story, written by book lovers from all walks of life. It could be fantasy, a whodunit mystery, or a story rooted in real life. As Emily Dickinson said, “There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away.” In this case, our “frigate” might just be a Google Doc—and the journey is ours to navigate together.

I shared the full proposal letter with my group—a mix of humor, imagination, and maybe a touch of Shakespearean chaos (someone forgets their lines, probably me). Whether people join in or just enjoy the concept, I think the real victory is taking the leap and sharing a creative idea, even when it feels a little risky.

Books connect us. Stories inspire us. And sometimes, a little courage is all it takes to turn a good idea into something unforgettable.

And hey—if you’re reading this and thinking, “I wish I could join in,” why not imagine yourself grabbing a pen (or opening a Google Doc) and hopping aboard? You don’t need to be a writer; you just need curiosity, imagination, and maybe a slightly chaotic sense of humor. Who knows? You might just help create the next unforgettable story.

Curious? You can read the full letter here:

[Read the Full Proposal Letter]