How to successfully launch a book [week 7 – Collaborations]

Too many people overcomplicate the book writing process. They think it’s all on them to write and market their book. Of course, they can get a book coach or a book mentor to help them, but what I mean in this context is developing collaborations. It’s certainly been one of the secrets to my success…

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How can a book mentor help you?

A giant engine in a factory had failed. The owners spoke to many people to solve the problem, but no one could tell them what to do to fix it. Eventually, they brought in an old man who had been fixing engines for many years. He inspected the engine for a moment or two, then…

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When’s the best time to get a book mentor?

When’s the best time to get a book mentor? Is it when your business coach tells you to do it?! Is it when you’ve started but are feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Or is it when you’re in the concept or idea stage? I generally work with clients in stage 3 (or 1!) but sometimes people…

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The problem with Parkinson’s Law

Last week I set aside three days for the final sprint to finish editing my latest book. It had been almost there since before Christmas, and for many reasons, I hadn’t quite reached the end point. But I really had to force myself to sit at my desk and do it! On Tuesday, a pre-planned lunch…

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Author Spotlight interview with Nasser Abouzakhar

Nasser Abouzakhar says that writing a book is like reaching the top of a high mountain like Kilimanjaro after a pleasant and challenging journey… In this Author Spotlight interview, Nasser talks to Sheryl Andrews about the highs and lows of his book writing journey, and how the climb was worth it. His book Real Estate…

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The 8 rules of writing

Whenever I have a session with my Smart Author – Fast Track groups, I always start by asking them to each share their successes since the last call. I ask questions like… What has gone well? What is working? What successes have you had? Because even if you’ve had the worst week in the world, there will be…

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How to face your book writing hurdles

David recently hit his first big obstacle with his book writing project. On track with his timetable, he’d made a good start with the writing. But when he started to read it back, he became demoralised. He told me it was like he was in a 400-metre hurdle race and he’d just smacked the first…

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Interview with Sarah Hamilton-Gill, author of Leap into HR Consulting

Sarah Hamilton-Gill

50 new HR bootcamp clients AND a new book! In February 2020, Sarah Hamilton-Gill came to me for help to get her book written and published. She’d started writing her book in 2018, when she attended a book-related training course. But two years later, she was stuck at 18,000 words and wasn’t making any progress.…

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Writing tip – the segue

It’s late at night. Way past your bedtime. Yet you’re still reading… Finding yourself transfixed as the text draws you in… You plan to read just one more chapter… And as you turn the page, you’re hooked into reading the next… Have you experienced times like this? I know I have. When the book you’re reading captures…

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What I learnt from Liz Gilbert and Julia Cameron

I was recently watching a How To Academy webinar with Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way) and Liz Gilbert (best known for Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic). During the conversation, Liz recounted a story of some of the research she did for Big Magic.  When I was beginning to write Big Magic, I put a survey on Facebook to hundreds…

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