1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

When I was young, I wasn’t a very outgoing person. But I’ve always been a bit of a “narrative junkie.” I love reading stories, especially non-fiction such as history or biographies. I started writing early as a hobby to get better at it, with short stories on my blog. That was essentially therapy on paper. Eventually, the urge to write a book of my own about my experiences with my game studio became too loud to ignore.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

The inspiration for SCORE! came from that specific, electric feeling of being on the precipice of a breakthrough. We’ve all had those moments where everything is on the line: the final seconds of a game, the last pitch of a business deal, or the moment before you confess how you feel. I wanted to capture the grit, the sweat, and the sheer mental fortitude it takes to actually “score” when the world expects you to fumble. I was asked to share my experiences at events and in coaching sessions, so it was a natural step for me to write them all down.  

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away?

If readers walk away with one thing, I hope it’s the realization that the “win” isn’t just the result; it’s the resilience. That you can achieve something, even when the odds are not in your favor, if you keep at it. For years, the motto on my game’s profile was: “First they laugh at you. Then they ignore you. Then they fight you. Then you win.” I wanted to showcase the idea that “scoring” isn’t a stroke of luck. It’s the culmination of every failure you didn’t let stop you. It’s a book about reclaiming your agency and finding the courage to take the shot, even when your hands are shaking.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

There’s a certain honesty and charm in stories about entrepreneurs and the early days of startups. I don’t like entrepreneurial books that are written like they need to teach you something. I’m drawn to stories where characters are pushed to their absolute limits, because that’s where the mask slips and you see who someone truly is. It teaches you valuable lessons through an engaging story, without you noticing it. How does a game company work? What do negotiations with football clubs, unions look like? What is it like to leave and sell your company? Plus, let’s be honest: who doesn’t love a high-octane narrative that keeps your heart rate up? 

5) What social media site has been the most helpful?

While they all have their perks, TikTok, Linked-In, Instagram and Goodreads have been most helpful. On TikTok some of my videos have hundreds of thousands of views. The other platforms allow for direct engagement. I’ve received many DMs from readers who felt a connection to a specific chapter. That really fuels the fire. It turns the solitary act of writing into a global conversation.

6) What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Stop waiting for the “muse” to show up with a golden ticket. Writing is 10% inspiration and 90% showing up at your desk when you’d rather be doing literally anything else. My best advice? Write the “bad” version of your book first. You can’t edit a blank page, but you can always fix a messy first draft. Just get the story out of your head and onto the paper. I had to scrap more than 50% of the content, to get to the 200 pages I have now. Even though it was difficult, it has improved the story a lot. 

7) What does the future hold? Any new projects?

The momentum after selling OSM and publishing SCORE! has definitely opened up some exciting doors. I’ve been developing games again. I’ve also built and sold another start-up. Currently I’m helping students at The Hague University to develop games and chase their dreams. I’m the Chairman of the Dutch Games Association, the official branche organisation in The Netherlands for games. Let’s just say the game is far from over.

About the Author

Jeroen Derwort is a tech entrepreneur who turned a childhood passion into a global phenomenon. In 2001, while still a computer science student living with his parents, Jeroen launched Online Soccer Manager (OSM). Critics were skeptical, but twenty years later, his “attic project” had evolved into a powerhouse with 50 employees and millions of players worldwide. After securing partnerships with top-tier international football clubs, Jeroen successfully sold the company to Miniclip (a Tencent subsidiary).

https://www.jeroenderwort.com

THUAS GameLab – https://www.gamelab.tech

Dutch Games Association – https://www.dutchgamesassociation.nl

Derwort Media – https://www.jeroenderwort.nl

Seven Mages – https://www.sevenmages.com

Lees mijn boek SCOREN! over de opkomst van de game OSM:

https://www.jeroenderwort.nl/boek