Doing things differently! Do Book Company’s alternative ‘how to’ guides

Just do it: slim volumes aim to inspire ‘positive changes’. Photograph: Do Book Company

The Do Book Company’s motto is ‘Books that make it easier to Do stuff’.

So far the ‘stuff’ the Shoreditch-based company makes it easier to do ranges from giving birth and growing vegetables to political activism, improvisation and story-telling.

The stated aim of the fledgling publisher is to inspire people to make positive changes in their lives and the world around them. The books are light on theory, big on practical advice.

Founder Miranda West says:  “Many of us don’t simply want to go home and watch TV. We want to make or learn something in our spare time, like growing vegetables or how to work up an idea for a business. The books themselves needed to be concise and focus on the ‘doing’ rather than background theory; so each book is only about 100 pages long. You can read it in a couple of hours and then get started.”

The slim volumes are based on a series of lectures called the ‘Do Lectures’, a four-day event that takes place every year in West Wales and involves 20-min talks from inspirational individuals from around the world talking about change.

“‘The book company came about when we realised that the people speaking at the Do Lectures were the kind of people who should be writing books – so we can read them! They are the game changers, those individuals whose passion, creativity and drive are already changing the world for the better. By hearing their stories or allowing them to share their skills in book form, we hoped that it might inspire others to Do things too,” explains West.

West, who lives in Clapton, has a background in publishing, says: “the first books were signed up on the strength of the authors – each an expert in their chosen field – and subject matter; where I felt the topic would resonate with a wider audience”

Five books have been published since the company’s launch in May and eight more are in preparation for publication in 2014. By the end of next year there should be something for everyone.

The books are priced at £3.99 for an ebook and £7.99 for a paperback from thedobook.co and at local bookshops.