How long have you been doing what you do, and how did you become a book writing expert?
I’ve always been a bookworm and a writer—I have a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's of fine arts in creative writing nonfiction—but I never set out to be known as “The Writer’s Sherpa.” However, several professional experiences really led me to where I am today.
Right out of college as an undergraduate, I got my first professional writing job as an editorial assistant for a small self-publishing company. Aside from working in Barnes & Noble, this was my first experience in the publishing world. While working there, I ghosted and edited articles and books for the company's clients, who were professional speakers, coaches, executives, and consultants who had a big message they wanted to get out into the world. This was how I learned that books (and even writing, in general) are one of the most powerful marketing tools available.
Back then I also learned just how overwhelming it could feel to be writing a book. I remember the day my boss asked me to take on my first book project—I was excited and completely nervous all at once. It was my first book, a big step up for someone who'd only written five-page articles! But then reality started to sink in. I had to write a book—a whole book—all by myself!
But I dove in and started working. As a person who wanted to make a living as a writer, it was something that I had to figure out. I looked at other books (both good ones and bad) and how they were constructed, how the material was organized, how the author used stories and examples, and how the author led the reader through their information. I read, I analyzed, and looked for clues as to what made the books successful.
In this process I learned that books contain certain elements that make them work as a whole. Once I had all the pieces of the book essentially figured out, I just had to put them together.
Since then, I’ve started my own business, worked on quite a few more books, and gone back to school to get my master’s degree, and really dedicated my professional life to helping aspiring authors bring more great books into the world.
Through these experiences, plus in working with numerous clients over the years, I put together my Summit Book Writing System—a series of steps you can use to plan, organize, and write your absolute best book and ensure it gets done faster and easier than you ever thought possible.
Who are your clients, exactly?
I work with people just like you who have an important message they want to share with the world. My clients have established businesses, they are already writing as a way to market their expertise, and they’re ready to take everything they do in their business to the next level of success by authoring a book. They are big thinkers and thought leaders, and they understand the importance of writing a high-quality book and being a published author in achieving their mission. Quality and authenticity are important to them, and they want their book to be great, not just done. That said, my clients come from a variety of backgrounds and professions.
* Accountants and Financial Planners
* Athletes
* Attorneys
* Business Coaches
* Consultants
* Doctors
* Entrepreneurs
* Executives and Business Leaders
* Holistic Health and Wellness Practitioners
* Life/Personal Coaches
* Marketing Consultants
* Parenting Coaches
* Real Estate Agents
* Speakers and Trainers
* Virtual Assistants
* Yoga Teachers
What if you haven't yet worked with people in my field?
I have worked with a diverse array of professionals on a variety of different projects. But if I haven't worked with someone from your particular field, that's okay. The fundamentals of writing a compelling, effective book are universal. And if other professionals in your field are writing books, my guess is that many of them end up sounding pretty similar, which creates a lot of repetition. What my current and past clients have found exceedingly helpful is that I bring a fresh perspective to their book material, and help them put together a manuscript that is unique in the marketplace and authentic to their personality and business. Because of this, their book helps them stand out and differentiate themselves from all their competitors.
What makes your system different from other write-your-book programs?
Unlike many writing coaches, I only work with people who write nonfiction, including memoir, self-help, how-to, and business books. And my system is unique in that it isn't focused solely on slapping together a book and getting it done as fast as possible. My system focuses on quality, rather than speed. I want your book to be great—an authentic representation of you and your business that really draws your ideal clients in—not just another brochure with a cardstock cover.
That means I actually teach you how to write and put together a good book, skills you can use again and again for everything you write in the future. And we'll still get it done faster than what you could do on your own.
What type of personality do you work best with, and what is expected of me?
My programs were created for people who are excited and ready to get to the heart of their story and write their best book. Being a writer myself, I work best with clients who recognize the importance and value of writing a well-written book—not just any book, but a great book that really represents them well.
My programs are a good fit for people who feel like they have a big mission in life—like reaching exponentially bigger audiences, attracting new clients and opportunities, speaking and consulting for higher fees, and helping thousands of people—and writing a book is a way to fulfill that mission. They don't want to lie awake for one more night thinking about how great it would be to be an author—they’re ready to live that dream. The programs were created for people who are tired of putting the project off, tired of false starts, and ready for a system that works.
My program is an action-learning course. You will be expected to write! I will also ask that you commit to your exciting, life-changing goal of writing a book—no more excuses—with lots of support from me as you work toward your goal of getting your best book out of your head and into the world.
For what type of person is this program NOT going to work for?
Please understand that I am selective about the people I work with and the projects I take. I am invested in all my clients getting great results and I gently turn away people who aren't suited for my programs and won't get the results they signed up for. It wouldn't be fair for me to do otherwise.
The Summit Book Writing System is not for people whose main concern is getting the book done as fast as possible, whether it's well-written or not. I’m not saying these folks are wrong in any way, but they will be frustrated by my program because it focuses on learning to write better.
And my programs are not for people who are HOPING to make big money from their book. I work with people who KNOW writing a book can attract new clients and opportunities for greater income to them. They understand that getting their book done is an investment in their business and themselves that will pay off over and over again. And they are ready and willing to step into that greater level of success.
What exactly is your Summit Book Writing System and what does it include?
Writing your best book is a combination of strategy, planning, writing, and revising. Here's what we'll work on:
Step 1: Prepare for the Writing Journey
We'll come up with a deadline and writing plan that works for you—I don't believe in forcing my clients to clear entire days or weeks to get their book done. I want your schedule to be sustainable and doable for you. And we'll get clear on your big vision for your book.
Step 2: Choose Your Mountain—the Foundation of Your Book
Your personal experiences, your audience, and your material make up the foundation of your book. I'll guide you through a series of big-picture decisions about your book and we'll get clear on what makes it unique and outstanding.
Step 3: Plot Your Path to Success
With the foundation in place, we'll create your working outline and organize all your ideas into an effective, compelling book that delivers exactly what your readers want. I give you templates and tip sheets to work from, so you consistently make progress and all your material is presented in a powerful way.
Step 4: Ready, Set, Put One Foot in Front of the Other
When the rubber meets the road, I'll give you all my best strategies for transforming your writing from ho-hum to engaging and fun to read. And you'll get insight and strategies you can use to develop your authentic writing voice and style.
Step 5: Gain Altitude and Take Your Book from Good to Great
Writing a great book means keeping your readers hooked from page one to the end, and I'll teach you my favorite advanced writing strategies for doing just that. We'll also look at all the details and extra features that can make your book more compelling and media friendly.
Step 6: Reach the Summit—Polishing Your Manuscript
I am a firm believer that authors are their own best editors, particularly when it comes to content decisions because you know your readers, your mission, and your brand better than anyone else. I'll teach you my simple, yet thorough, system for making sure every page in your book is strong and ready for the reading world. This step alone will save you a bundle on editing fees! Plus I'll show you how to encourage your readers to connect with you.
Does this system really work?
Yes! If you do the work, you'll be amazed at how much stronger and solid your book will be as a result of this system. You'll have a crystal clear idea of what your book is REALLY about, and you'll have a clear, step-by-step plan for getting it written. You'll be a better, more confident writer, and the book you write will be one your ideal readers will love! (See my client testimonials.)
What results can I expect?
You can expect to:
• Get unstuck—no matter what's been keeping you from getting your book written and out into the world, those issues will all go away.
• Gain clarity on what your book is REALLY about, what makes it unique, and how to use it to strategically brand you and your business.
• Organize all your ideas into a strong, cohesive book that really pulls your ideal clients to you;
• Hone in on what your ideal readers want and what they're willing to pay to find out;
• Create a compelling book that will hook your readers and get them to contact you;
• Use simple techniques that dramatically improving your writing;
• Find writing easier and more fun than you ever imagined it could be;
• Develop writing habits that are painless to maintain and allow you to continually produce pages and new material;
• Be accountable to your goals;
• Get a stack of checklists, templates, samples, and tip sheets you can use every time you write;
• And learn writing skills that you can use every day, forever!
How quickly can I expect results?
Obviously, this depends a lot on you, and how much you put into the assignments and your writing. That said, you'll overcome whatever obstacles you've been facing around your book, and start writing in our first week working together. You'll start learning how to improve your writing skills and how to make your book outstanding right away.
How can I guarantee myself that I will get my best book done with this program?
Do the writing and assignments. And stick to the writing schedule we create for you. I will do everything in my power to make sure your book is the best it can be, your writing improves, and you have everything you need to stay accountable to your goals, but you have to do the work.
Will I recover the investment I put into this coaching program?
Yes! Getting your book written and published involves an investment, but you'll see so many new opportunities when you do it. Some examples are paid speaking engagements, new clients, and the ability to increase your fees.
What can writing a book do for you? Authors (all coaches, consultants, and service professionals) surveyed for The Business Impact of Writing a Book reported that writing and publishing a book:
• Positively influenced their business – 96%
• Improved their brand – 94%
• Generated more speaking engagements – 95%
• Generated more clients – 96%
• Generated more leads – 94%
• Allowed them to charge higher fees – 87%
• Allowed them to generate a more desirable client base – 87%
• Allowed them to close more deals – 76%
Just think about what one new client is worth to you (probably $3,000, $5,000, or even $10,000 or more). If you get just one new client from your book, you will have paid for the program several times over. And your book will continue to attract new clients and opportunities to you for years into the future!
Melinda, based on everything I've read and heard about you, I know you're the book coach for me. How can I start working with you?
Congratulations! Your writing life is about to change!
To help you create your best book, I offer a few different services and programs:
1. The Summit Book Writing Home Study System (available July 2010) is the do-it-yourselfer's guide to planning, organizing, and writing a great book. It contains ALL the basics of creating your sustainable writing schedule; getting clear about what your book is REALLY about; building the solid foundation of your book; writing a compelling, engaging book; and using your book to rope in ideal readers and clients. This system makes a great addition to your success library, especially if you have several books in your future! You can find out more about this comprehensive home study system and order it here: The Summit Book Writing System.
2. I offer several of my exclusive, high-level Write Your Book Boot Camp sessions each year for people who are really ready to take their business to the peak of success by writing a book. I teach my Summit Book Writing System to small groups in these highly interactive sessions, give feedback on their pages, and meet with each participant in one-on-one coaching sessions to discuss their personal challenges and questions. For more information and to find out if my one-on-one coaching program is right for you, please click here to start the application process.
3. If you have completed your book manuscript, but you're unhappy with it and unsure about what to do to make it work, a detailed Book Assessment will help get you unstuck and moving forward. This service includes phone conversations about your goals, challenges, and concerns, and a detailed manuscript evaluation. I will read your manuscript, make comments within the draft, suggest edits, and provide a written critique designed to give you the exact steps you need to take to make your book exactly what you want it to be. For more information and to find out if this service is right for you, please click here to start the application process.
4. My one-on-one coaching programs are available for high-achieving go-getters who are ready to do whatever it takes to get their book out of their head and out into the world, and who want a high level of personalized feedback and support as they write. My coaching services come in three-month packages and include one-on-one phone calls and detailed critiques of everything you write. For more information and to find out if this program is right for you, please click here to start the application process.
5. Book Discovery V.I.P. Days are available either virtually or live (on beautiful Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) for aspiring authors who have several ideas about what they want their book to be, but aren't sure how to organize everything into a cohesive manuscript that accomplishes their biggest goals. We'll get together for a full day of intensive interviewing and strategic planning to design your best book and create a step-by-step plan for making it a reality. We'll do all the hard work together, so all you'll need to do is write. For more information and to find out if this program is right for you, please click here to start the application process.
Okay, I know exactly which program I want. How do I get started?
Great! Did you know that one of the most prominent characteristics of successful people is that they recognize when they're stuck and they take action? They are decisive, they know they need systems that work, and they move forward towards success faster as a direct result of this. It's a well-known fact the most successful people make decisions based on their gut instinct. So if working with me feels right for you, then you should go for it.
Here's what you need to do: just click on the application links above, or call me at (866) 496-5101 or e-mail me at info@writerssherpa.com and I'll be happy to answer any questions. I can't wait to talk to you and help you get your best book into the world!
If I'm not sure I'm ready to get started, is there a way I can sample your work at a low cost?
A way to sample The Writer's Sherpa programs is sign up for my free "Jumpstart Your Book E-Course!" This program is designed to get you moving on your book, and it comes with a subscription to my weekly e-mail newsletter. The WRITE Path E-zine provides you with writing tips and publishing strategies, plus updates and offers on programs offered exclusively to subscribers. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to write and publish to grow their business. Subscribe here.
Okay, I'm ready to do this for myself, but I have a few questions. Can I call you?
Good -- you're one step closer to your writing success! And yes, if you have questions, send me an e-mail to arrange a phone call. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. I can't wait to meet you, and am honored to be the one to help you write and publish to your true potential. Let's get going!
