With the right coaching, an experienced writing tutor, targeted content editing mentorship and the proper tools and systems in place, you can write a book that makes you proud, enhances your business and personal brand, and that people want to read and tell their friends about.
"I now have an understanding of how to structure and book and pitch an agent”
Sandy McDonald
Hello & Welcome!
That means...
I'm your confidant and champion as you put your ideas into the written form
I'm your project manager and accountability partner
I'm your writing tutor and prose partner
I'm your systems-thinker, big-picture structural editor
I'm your question-wielding, thought inspirer
I'm your active listener, confidence builder
I'm your attention-to-detail copy editor
I'm your book publishing guide
After completing a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology/Sociology) and Coaching Qualification in 2010, I built a successful coaching business.
I coached leaders in multinational companies, was Project Manager and Lead Coach of a wait-listed control trial (researching the benefits of coaching on people with chronic illness), and I taught coaching skills to hundreds of student coaches at University and across Australia.
In 2015, I was recognised by the International Coach Federation as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) for more than 750+ certified coaching hours.
I had always loved books. Reading books had literally changed the way I think and made my life better. I hoped one day I could have the same impact on others.
Eventually, I started my own book. It took me a long while (i.e. years!) to write that first book - if I knew then what I know now about book writing, I'd have written that first book a lot faster!
After I published the first book, I wanted to write another. And after publishing the second, I wanted to write a third...
I got better and faster, and had fallen in love with the process of book writing and publishing.
I was also fascinated by the science of story telling.
In 2020, I discovered 'Book Coaching'. It was a revelation that at the intersection of two of my favourite things (coaching and books) was my ideal career.
My research into Book Coaching led me to discover there was one training organisation in the entire world that trained Book Coaches.
I became a Certified Book Coach in both non-fiction and fiction, and have not looked back.
So, now I get to spend my days immersed in my two favourite things :)
In 2020, I discovered 'Book Coaching'. It was a revelation that at the intersection of two of my favourite things (coaching and books) was my ideal career.
My research into Book Coaching led me to discover there was one training organisation in the entire world that trained Book Coaches.
I became a Certified Book Coach in both non-fiction and fiction, and have not looked back.
So, now I get to spend my days immersed in my two favourite things :)
Thanks to technology, I can do my work from anywhere.
So, in 2018, I put almost everything I own into storage and started travelling full-time.
More than six years later, and I'm still travelling. I even got all my stuff out of storage a couple of years ago and sold or gave it all away.
I love to explore the world, but quite often I'm just as happy in a quiet, sunny spot with a book.
Paris 2024
Tamborine Mountain
Sunshine Beach
Oxfordshire, UK
Leon Purton
🔥Author of The Ignited Leader - Kindling Your Inner Flame and Sparking Brilliance in Your Team. Leader | Writer | Engineer Available for Keynote Presentations, Leadership Consulting and Leadership Coaching
"Writing a book is hard. Developing the clarity you need on what you want to say is difficult, organising it into a coherent and impactful book is even harder. I was fortunate enough to connect with Kylie to help me shape and define the structure of my book, as well as refine my writing voice. Her knowledge and developed process helps close the gap from idea to executable plan. It turned my leadership book from a collection of ideas to a purposeful exploration of the key themes, ideas, and thesis that distinguishes me from the crowd.
Working with Kylie is challenging - like working with all coaches should be. Her efforts, curiosity and insights consistently refined the book and elevated the content and impact.
However with Kylie was also fun, and she worked hard to understand, connect and help with improving the output. I recommend Kylie for authors struggling to connect the ideas, stories and narratives within the book. As a published author herself, and having worked with clients all over the world, Kylie can help you make your book better."
Helen Thomas
Career & Business Coach | 🎙️ Host of How to Get Unstuck podcast
"I engaged Kylie to help me sort through my catalogue of written pieces and bring it together cohesively as a book. Working with her my book coach has been a game-changer. Her blend of experience, insights, creative encouragement, and practical accountability turned a daunting project into something clear and achievable.
Kylie has the ability to meet you where you are—whether you're stuck getting started or wrestling with self-doubt through the messy middle. She provides the right prompts, challenges you to think deeply, and keeps you moving forward with a calm, steady presence that makes the whole experience enjoyable.
If you're dreaming of writing a book but not sure where to begin (or how to keep going), I recommend working with Kylie. She’s thoughtful and supportive and will help you bring your idea to life."
Associate Professor David Rosenbaum PhD SFHEA
Novelist; Academic Author; Governance and Strategic Planning Consultant in the Nonprofit Sector
"As is quite common, retiring from full-time academia I had decided to turn my hand to writing a novel. A daunting task based on my own research and reading. My interest lay in fiction and I have headed down the path of family fiction. One thing I knew was that it would be very different from the extensive academic writing that I had undertaken over the years.
I came across the services of Book Coaches and as I investigated these further, I knew that this would be a great help in my new journey. It was when I met and started working with Kylie that I realised how beneficial this process would be.
Kylie's approach was thoughtful, thorough and positive. Rather than tell me what I needed to consider, she allowed me to develop my thoughts around the wide-ranging issues, and over the course of our sessions, I became more and more confident in what I was doing. But the real benefit was Kylie's expert guidance and assistance in helping me develop my own writing style. This has proven pivotal.
I am now at the stage of having mapped out my entire novel, clarified my approach, developed and continuing to develop my own writing style and moving forward in the journey. And the one other very big benefit of interacting with Kylie as my Book Coach, has been that I am thoroughly enjoying the journey. I can say without hesitation, that I am absolutely loving writing a novel. Its a level of enjoyment of a task/project that I have not felt for some time.
I cannot recommend Kylie highly enough. She is very good at what she does and I look forward to her ongoing involvement in my first novel."
Salli Cohen
Policy expert | Author | Speaker
"I have just completed my last session of book coaching with Kylie Zeal. As always it was a great session. So much so that I've signed up for another block of sessions. Kylie is my perfect partner as I write my beginners guide to policy. She picks up things I don't see. She calls stuff out when it doesn't make sense. She applauds work when it hits the mark. She pulls up my rebellious self when I start a sentence with and, but or because! So much fun trying! She keeps me on track. Goodness only knows what it my book would look like without her!"
Jacqui Rochester
Career Counsellor | Psychologist | Career Coach
"Having completed Kylie's introductory 3 month writing coaching program, I can't imagine where I would be in my writing journey if I hadn't. I knew that I needed guidance, but I didn't want to undertake a formal academic writing qualification with all that accompanies the academic process. So, Kylie's program was the answer for me.
Like all novices the statement "we don't know what we don't know" was certainly true for me. The program helped me to create a tangible structured framework for creative ideas in order to bring them to life with greater clarity, and to build the confidence to take them further. It is challenging. Oh yes, most definitely. But the majority worthwhile activities in life are.
Kylie's seemingly inexhaustible patience, insight, experience and willingness to dig down into the nitty gritty of my story plan meant that, at the end, I had something I could believe in. Regardless of where that takes me in the longer term, the program was a worthwhile experience."
Miles Protter
Executive Mentor, Public Speaker
"Kylie, I’ve valued your coaching for the past 6 months, helping me get the first draft done for my book project. You have taught me so much about writing, the most important being to be clear about what I want to say and then saying it! That sounds obvious but it’s been a steep learning curve for me. Your patient, calm manner has helped me develop this most basic but essential skill. You show great interest and breadth of knowledge in my subject area, leading to many spirited debates between us. And you go above and beyond in your investment of time to get the job done. I would recommend you to any author to get their book project off the ground and into the hands of readers."
Dr Michelle Sharpe
Barrister
"I engaged Kylie for one-on-one writing coaching, and the experience has been transformative. She significantly improved my written communication skills and excelled at helping me structure my written pieces more effectively, with greater clarity of thought. As a professional who understands written communication is essential for persuasion, I found Kylie’s guidance invaluable. Her coaching enhanced my ability to convey ideas convincingly and professionally. I highly recommend Kylie Zeal to anyone looking to elevate their writing skills. Her expertise and supportive approach make her an exceptional writing coach. As an unexpected bonus, Kylie also revived by passion for reading."
Bailey Lenart
Co-founder at Collective Flow
"Kylie is a wonderful person to engage if you have a book in you and want to get it out. I had a three month coaching engagement with Kylie to help me begin the process of structuring and writing my first book. Looking back, there is no way I would have made the progress that I have without her support. In that short engagement Kylie helped me put together a cohesive book plan, a clear chapter outline and drafts of two chapters with feedback. What I really appreciated, beyond her skills at crafting a book plan, was how she balanced being encouraging and straight up. Thanks Kylie for helping me turn hand waving into words on a page! "
"Kylie is a consummate professional, with a highly engaging and relational style when dealing with clients. Kylie has gone way beyond the call in supporting me and creating a motivational atmosphere, which has inspired me to shake a leg and write that book which I have been dreaming about!!
Kylie knows her craft; displaying wisdom, knowledge and value added tips and resources....always with warmth, pragmatism and humility. She is an excellent Book Coach and Mentor if ever you are contemplating writing your first ....or second book!"
Project Management, Career Transition Coach for Mature Age Career Changers
"CLEAR PURPOSE
I'm an avid reader and it always astounds me how a writer can turn out multiple books in a lifetime, whereas my efforts have felt more like squeezing from an empty tube of toothpaste. One of the things I really struggle with is concretising the steps I need to take to write each chapter.
Along comes Kylie with a warm, generous spirit, and a detailed yet clear process to follow that enabled me first to map out the overall structure of my book. This process meant that I had to add in some important points that I would have otherwise missed because I was not looking at the flow of the book.
Next came the chapter-by-chapter part of the process. We used dot points for each topic to be included, so that when I sit down to write, I know exactly where to begin and what I need to say.
There is built in accountability in Kylie's process that means that even someone like me, with a busy life (and somewhat lacking in focus) can actually get the job done.
I can't wait to see my book in the airport bookshop!"
Credibility matters, especially when you work in the B2B realm. It’s the reason why survey data from BrightLocal found that 86 percent of all customers check reviews for online businesses before they make a purchase. It’s why countless marketing articles tout the value of highlighting third-party awards, industry certifications and customer testimonials on your website.
Customers want to see proof that you are actually an expert in your niche, and writing a book is a surefire way to establish yourself as a genuine thought leader. Showing that you are published on Amazon or another reputable site gives potential clients greater confidence that you know what you’re talking about — even if they don’t read the book themselves.
Publishing a book can serve as a valuable public relations opportunity for your business. News media are always on the lookout for new, interesting content. A book launch is a point of interest, especially if the content of the book is relevant to a particular reporter’s ‘beat.’
Pitch the publication of your book as a story to news media to land interviews, reviews and other coverage, rather than trying to pitch yourself or your business. Coverage of your book will naturally lead to a mention of you (the author) and your business.
Even coverage on a local level (newspapers, TV or radio) will provide valuable press attention. When targeting media outlets, be sure to look for journalists who cover your niche, and write a compelling, personalized pitch that demonstrates the value you could provide to their target audience. Using your book as a platform to establish yourself as an expert now could also result in your becoming an interview resource for future stories, helping you achieve even more press coverage.
Many businesses rely on mailing lists and special offers to get customers to sign up for their services — and for good reason. Research data from DMA’s National Client Email Report found that email delivers an average ROI of $38 for each dollar spent on marketing. The larger your list, the greater your potential revenue.
However, customers are far more likely to sign up for your email list when they have an added incentive to do so. Offering your book for free to people who sign up for your email list is a great way to encourage sign-ups. By clearly explaining how your book is relevant and will provide value, potential customers become far more likely to pass on their contact information.
Rory Carruthers is one of the world’s most sought-after book marketing experts and the author of seven no.1 international best-selling books. In an email conversation, he explained, “People love getting something for free when that free ‘something’ provides real value. I actually give away physical copies of one of my books to help fuel email list signups. By giving them something of value up front, they’re far more likely to engage with my emails later on, because they come to expect that my future content will offer similar value.”
Publishing a book can easily serve as an additional revenue source in and of itself, but you can also use it as a way of introducing other revenue streams for your business. The same content that you used to write your book can (with a little work) be transformed into a series of online webinars or other forms of lucrative content.
A book can also provide the perfect platform for landing guest speaking opportunities or adding consulting services to your existing business. When you have already established your credibility with your book, these additional revenue streams are far more likely to be successful. Diversifying your sources of revenue will offer more opportunities for expansion, while also ensuring greater financial security for your business as the market changes.
When you write an authoritative book, you can greatly increase your visibility and credibility in your industry. With this comes a natural increase in the number of people who are interested in doing business with you.
Author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss is a great example of this. Ferriss first achieved notoriety with his 2007 book The 4-Hour Workweek, based on his earlier entrepreneurial experiences. The book became a New York Times best-seller, earning Ferriss significant coverage in national publications.
As Business Insider reported, Ferriss was able to use his fame to become an angel investor and launch a successful podcast, which has achieved hundreds of millions of downloads. Through a book, Ferriss was able to become one of today’s biggest names in the industry. Not every business author will become a New York Times bestseller. But with more demand, you can greatly increase your profitability as you find more lucrative clients.
Though writing and editing a book requires a fair amount of time and research, it can have truly transformative results for your business. As you use your book to bolster your credibility and expand your market reach, you will be able to grow at a much faster rate than ever before.
A book coach is a professional who guides and supports authors through the entire book writing process, from initial idea generation to publication. They help authors refine ideas, structure their book, and overcome challenges during writing, offering encouragement and objective feedback.
See below for a more detailed look at what a book coach does:
Book coaches can help authors clarify their book's concept, target audience, and overall message.
They assist with creating a compelling outline, ensuring proper pacing, tension, and character development.
Book coaches provide feedback on drafts, offer encouragement, and help authors navigate challenges during the writing process.
They can help authors refine their writing style, improve clarity, and identify areas for improvement.
Some book coaches also offer support with the publishing process, including preparing a query letter, finding an agent, or even ghostwriting services.
Essentially, a book coach acts as a mentor, guide, and supportive reader throughout the author's journey, helping them complete their book project.
There are many similarities between to the two types of coaching, however, the main difference is that a book coach generally looks at an entire book process, while a writing coach may only focus on the actual writing of the book. They may not concern themselves with the bigger purpose of the book.
Online tutorials to prepare you for success before we even begin (you can complete these at your own pace prior to first coaching session.
5 one-on-one coaching sessions where we work through your specific challenges and create clear next-steps for progressing your book
Homework assignments reviewed prior to each coaching session so you have direct, personalised feedback on the work you have completed
Ongoing accountability to keep you moving forward
Ask questions of your book coach anytime via instant message (e.g. Whatsapp)
Clear guidance on crafting compelling, well-structured content
This program will have you complete a Detailed Book Plan and commence writing chapters of your book.
In this program:
You will complete a Detailed Book Plan and commence writing chapters of your book
You'll have a clear pathway forward. No more staring at blank pages or wondering if your ideas are "good enough." You'll have clarity about what need to be included in your book.
You'll overcome the barriers (both conscious and unconscious) that have kept you stuck. We'll sort the knowledge gaps from the excuses.
You'll develop the skills to craft compelling, well-structured content that showcases your expertise in the best possible light.
You'll have accountability and support throughout the entire process, so you actually finish what you start.
Most importantly, you'll write a book you're proud of – one that establishes your authority, grows your business, and genuinely helps people.
For authors pursuing traditional publishers, I help craft compelling book proposals that get agents and publishers excited about your project.
Craft a compelling Book Proposal designed to get the attention of Agents and Traditional Book Publishers
Agent Research
Design and execute a Pitching Plan
Developmental/Structural Editing
Line Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
To explore which program is right for you:
"Writing a book is hard. Developing the clarity you need on what you want to say is difficult, organising it into a coherent and impactful book is even harder. I was fortunate enough to connect with Kylie to help me shape and define the structure of my book, as well as refine my writing voice. Her knowledge and developed process helps close the gap from idea to executable plan. It turned my leadership book from a collection of ideas to a purposeful exploration of the key themes, ideas, and thesis that distinguishes me from the crowd.
Working with Kylie is challenging - like working with all coaches should be. Her efforts, curiosity and insights consistently refined the book and elevated the content and impact.
However with Kylie was also fun, and she worked hard to understand, connect and help with improving the output. I recommend Kylie for authors struggling to connect the ideas, stories and narratives within the book. As a published author herself, and having worked with clients all over the world, Kylie can help you make your book better." - Leon Purton
“Kylie came at the perfect point in my book journey – I was already a couple of drafts in and was ready to start querying, but wanted to get an outside perspective on my book. We decided to work together on a manuscript critique package, where she asked me to complete a one-page summary and a Q&A document before we got started, and over the next three weeks Kylie reviewed my manuscript and then delivered a comprehensive editorial letter (24 pages!)
When the feedback came through, I appreciated how Kylie took the time to list all the strengths of my novel, and then broke down her concerns into wider story concerns, and smaller in-scene concerns. This breakdown made it so easy for me as an author to address everything – the in-scene concerns I was able to address in a single run through of the book, while I could sit with the larger story issues and think about the best way to better tell my story. All of her feedback was insightful and thought-provoking, and my book is definitely stronger as a result.
I think it’s also worth highlighting Kylie’s level of professionalism. As someone who regularly works with freelancers, I’ve had experiences where expectations haven’t been met and timelines have blown out. This wasn’t the case with Kylie – the expectations were so clear. I knew exactly what I was getting, what was required from me, and when everything would be delivered, which meant I felt supported throughout the process.
I’d highly recommend Kylie’s book coaching services to anyone who is ready to write a better book!” - Jacqueline Pretty
"I have just completed my last session of book coaching with Kylie Zeal. As always it was a great session. So much so that I've signed up for another block of sessions. Kylie is my perfect partner as I write my beginners guide to policy. She picks up things I don't see. She calls stuff out when it doesn't make sense. She applauds work when it hits the mark. She pulls up my rebellious self when I start a sentence with and, but or because! So much fun trying! She keeps me on track. Goodness only knows what it my book would look like without her!" - Salli Cohen