Why coaching is the key to writing your book and leaving your legacy
“I’ve always wanted to write a book, but where would I even start?”
It’s a question I hear often from professionals who’ve spent their careers mastering their craft, achieving great things, and gathering invaluable insights along the way. They dream of writing a book — sharing their knowledge, leaving a legacy, or amplifying their authority. Yet the process feels daunting.
Take Madeleine Greenwood, for example.
Madeleine is a composite of many clients we work with: a highly accomplished professional. A career filled with challenges, triumphs, and lessons that could benefit countless others. But Madeleine isn’t a writer by trade, and she’s not sure how to translate a lifetime of experience into a cohesive book.
That’s where coaching comes in.
At Principal Publishing, we specialise in guiding clients like Madeleine through the book-writing process: getting words on the page and helping authors tell their stories with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Who Madeleine Greenwood represents
Madeleine’s story mirrors that of many professionals. She represents people who:
- Have a wealth of experience and insights to share.
- Want to leave a lasting legacy, whether for their industry, colleagues, or family.
- Feel unsure about how to structure or start writing a book, but want to write the book themselves.
- Don’t have the time to figure it all out on their own but want a book that truly reflects their voice and vision.
For professionals like Madeleine, a book is a way to cement their expertise and leave something meaningful behind. But without guidance, the process can feel overwhelming, leading to frustration or even abandonment of the project altogether.
Why coaching is transformative for authors
Writing a book is a rewarding but complex process. It requires focus, discipline, and the ability to translate abstract ideas into engaging prose. For many professionals, coaching provides the structure, accountability, and support needed to turn a book idea into reality by having someone by their side through the process. Here’s how coaching transforms the experience:
- Collaborative planning: A coach helps authors clarify their goals, define their audience, and map out the book’s structure. This upfront work ensures the project stays focused and aligned with their vision.
- Accountability and guidance: Coaches provide regular check-ins and feedback, keeping authors on track and motivated. They help tackle roadblocks and offer expert advice on everything from pacing to tone.
- Emotional support: Impostor syndrome and self-doubt are common challenges for authors. A coach offers encouragement and reassurance, reminding clients that their voice matters and their story deserves to be told.
- Professional input: Though authors might want to do their own writing, a good coach can provide (directly or indirectly) access to professional services — think editing, design, and publishing support — that will make the book fly.
The process of coaching at Principal Publishing
At Principal Publishing, our coaching programme is designed to adapt to the unique needs of each client. Here’s how it works:
Discovery: Laying the foundation: We begin with in-depth conversations to understand the client’s goals, audience, and key messages. These discussions help shape the vision for the book, ensuring it reflects the author’s voice and purpose.
Planning: Building the roadmap: Next, we create a detailed plan outlining the book’s structure, timeline, and key milestones. This roadmap provides clarity and direction, breaking the project into manageable steps so that we can help you remain accountable and on track for success.
Development: Turning ideas into chapters: As the author begins writing, we offer guidance and feedback at every stage. This includes refining ideas, strengthening the narrative, and ensuring the content aligns with the book goals we agreed at the outset.
Polishing and bringing it all together: Once the manuscript is complete, we help refine it through professional editing and proofreading. We also offer advice on design and production to ensure the final book is polished and professional, ready for publishing. We can even make sure your books are fully registered and delivered to your door.
What Madeleine’s journey could look like
Imagine Madeleine starts with an idea: she wants to write about her experiences in educational leadership, sharing lessons she’s learned along the way.
Through coaching, she clarifies her vision, identifying the key themes and stories that will shape her book. With a detailed outline and regular check-ins, she begins writing, turning her ideas into cohesive chapters.
When she hits roadblocks — perhaps struggling to find the right words or doubting the value of her perspective — her coach is there to guide and encourage her.
Months later, Madeleine holds a finished manuscript in her hands — a polished, professional book that reflects her expertise and voice.
Why coaching matters in today’s publishing landscape
The rise of self-publishing has made it easier than ever to publish a book, but it’s also created new challenges. Without guidance, many authors struggle to produce books that meet professional standards or fully realise their vision.
While you might look on in envy at that person with the book that’s opening doors, what you don’t see is the time and the team that went into the entire production.
This is where coaching stands out.
It provides the support, expertise, and structure that authors need to create impactful, high-quality books. Coaching ensures that the process is focused on writing well, with purpose and professionalism.
Leave your legacy with confidence
Madeleine’s story is a reminder that anyone with expertise and a vision can write a book — but the journey is much smoother with the right support. Coaching transforms the daunting task of writing into a collaborative, rewarding process, helping authors create books that make an impact.
If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but felt unsure where to start, coaching could be the solution you’ve been looking for. With guidance, structure, and encouragement, your book can become a reality.
Let’s turn your vision into a book that reflects your expertise and leaves a legacy you can be proud of.
