Novel Ideas Two entrepreneurs write books about their experiences--and learn something in the process.

What motivates women entrepreneurs to write books about their businesses and lives, and how do they manage to get their stories in print? We asked two business owners whose books hit the shelves this year.

Lisa Price, 42, is president of New York City-based Carol's Daughter, a manufacturing and retail company specializing in homemade body-care products, with revenues surpassing $2 million. Her new book, Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion (One World/Ballantine), is an intimate look at her life and the business that grew out of her hobby. For years, Price's customers had told her they enjoyed reading the stories she wrote about her products. "I felt I was a good storyteller, but I didn't feel I was an author," admits Price. Her publisher paired her with a writer, Hilary Beard, and the two met for nine months compiling stories.

At the same time, Price began teaching classes for continuing education programs. She learned to speak about her experiences, and reactions from students were overwhelmingly positive. "By telling my experiences and answering their questions, I realized how much I did know [about business]," says Price.