My Book Mentoring Journey: What I’ve Learned Helping 100+ Authors Write Their Books

When I started my business in 2006, I wanted to change the world.

A big vision, I know! But it came from the right place. I wanted to make a difference. To help people grow, find their voice, and create work that mattered. But over time, I realised something: I could only change the world one person at a time.

At the time, I was working as a business coach with a background in writing training manuals, HR policies, and business resources.

I had a coaching qualification, NLP Master Practitioner training – and I knew how to take ideas and turn them into something clear, structured and useful.

Writing came naturally to me. But publishing that first book in 2011 changed everything.

• It gave me clarity in my message.
• It gave me confidence to say yes to things I’d never imagined.
• It transformed the trajectory of my business.
• And it enabled me to reach people I’d never otherwise meet – to support them, and to spark change through words on a page.

That one book led to another. And another. 10 to date – each one shaping my thinking and expanding my reach in a different way.

But after I’d written the first few, something unexpected happened: people started asking for help. Not just about what I’d written, but how I’d done it.

They wanted support with their own ideas – and someone to guide them through the journey.

One day, I casually mentioned that I’d love to help more people write their books.

A woman turned to me and said, “I’ve always wanted to write one.” That conversation led to my very first book mentoring client in 2014.

And that – quite unintentionally – marked the beginning of a whole new chapter.

From Coaching to Book Mentoring

What began as a natural extension of my business soon became something much more intentional.

I realised I didn’t just love writing books – I had a knack for helping other people write theirs.

That was the start of what evolved into my role as The Book Mentor – a blend of coaching, strategy, structure, and support that helps someone go from idea to finished book.

With my coaching background, I was already comfortable sitting with someone else’s messy thoughts. I could ask the right questions. I could draw out their ideas, their stories, their voice. I could see the structure hiding in the chaos – and help bring it into focus.

And beyond the strategy and structure, I understood the mindset blocks that get in the way. The fear. The procrastination. The imposter syndrome. I’d seen it all – and I’d lived it, too.

Because writing a book isn’t just a creative project. It’s a confidence game.

What I’ve Learned From 100+ Authors

Since that first client in 2014, I’ve mentored hundreds of authors – from first-timers with a brilliant idea and no clue where to begin, to experienced business leaders trying to write something bold, honest and impactful.

And here’s what I know for sure:

• Most people don’t get stuck because they lack ability – they get stuck because they’re trying to do it alone.
• Clarity is a process, not a prerequisite.
• Your book doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. In fact, it shouldn’t.
• The right support doesn’t just make the writing easier – it makes the book better.
• The book-writing journey will teach you as much about yourself as it does about your subject.

I’ve seen people spiral in circles for years – endlessly tweaking, second-guessing, or abandoning drafts that were almost there.

And I’ve seen what happens when someone feels seen, supported and guided.

That’s when the magic happens.

The Best Part of the Job

For me, the joy is never just about the book itself – although there’s something deeply moving about seeing a client hold their finished book for the first time.

It’s the transformation that happens through the writing.

• It’s watching someone finally own their voice.
• It’s seeing confidence bloom.
• It’s knowing this book will spark a ripple effect far beyond what they imagined.

I’ve experienced that, too. Writing The Mouse That Roars – a book about finding your voice and showing up with confidence in business – was one of the most personal and challenging things I’ve ever done. It asked me to be braver, bolder, and more honest than I’d been before – and it reminded me just how powerful writing can be.

That’s why I do this work.

It's not just book mentoring. It's about helping people find their message and trust it.

To write the book only they can write – and use it to change their world, and ours.

Curious About Working with a Book Mentor?

→ Book a free Book Focus call with me.

→ What actually is a Book Mentor? Find out more here.

→ What does a Book Mentor do and do you need one? Read our blog.