Smart Conflict: Alice Driscoll and Louise Van Haarst on Co-Authoring with Purpose

Smart Conflict: Alice Driscoll and Louise Van Haarst on Co-Authoring with Purpose

Helen speaks to Alice Driscoll and Louise Van Haarst, co-founders of The Powerhouse and co-authors of the bestselling book Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work.   In This Episode You'll Discover: * How Alice and Louise moved from a chance meeting at Henley Business School to co-founding The Powerhouse and writing their bestselling book, Smart Conflict. * Why having a fully developed workshop methodology meant they never faced a blank page, and how writing a detailed book proposal shaped their entire structure before a word was written. * The practical reality of co-authoring while running a fast-scaling business, including how they divided the writing, managed tight deadlines, and kept a single voice across the manuscript. * How Smart Conflict has opened unexpected doors since publication, including a place on the Thinkers 50 Radar 30 list, a Business Book Award finalist spot, and organic gifting by readers to their own clients and teams. * Their honest reflections on using AI in the writing process, the challenges of cover design, and the lessons they would share with any coach considering writing a book.   Connect with Alice and Louise Website: https://thepowerhouse.company [https://thepowerhouse.company] Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work: https://amzn.to/4uO5lwk [https://amzn.to/4uO5lwk]   Connect with Helen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_write [https://www.instagram.com/coach_write] Sign up for Coach Write Reflections, the free weekly newsletter for coaches who write: https://coachwrite.co.uk/reflections/ [https://coachwrite.co.uk/reflections/] Get your free guide to publishing options and episode show notes at coachwrite.co.uk [https://coachwrite.co.uk]   People and Resources mentioned The Artists Way by Julia Cameron https://amzn.to/4dBVPq0 [https://amzn.to/4dBVPq0] Audible royalty model changes: https://www.acx.com/mp/blog/audible-new-royalty-model [https://www.acx.com/mp/blog/audible-new-royalty-model] Coaching at work magazine https://www.coaching-at-work.com/ [https://www.coaching-at-work.com/] Thinkers 50 radar: https://thinkers50.com/radar-2025/ [https://thinkers50.com/radar-2025/] Business book awards: https://www.businessbookawards.co.uk/   Subscribe to the Coach Write podcast wherever you’re listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Your words can make a difference a review can too.

Holger Nils Pohl on Creating Clarity and Why Books Deserve to Be Beautiful

In this episode, you'll discover: * Why treating your book as a key business resource rather than a sales tool is the strategy that builds long-term thought leadership * How Kickstarter crowdfunding works as a publishing tool * The case for selling your books direct through your own platform, and how owning your customer data creates relationships that convert readers into coaching clients * How painting the edges of books by hand became a unique collector's edition, and what it teaches us about the value of things that deliberately do not scale * How life reshaped Holger’s creative process, and the unexpected way AI became a tool for rebuilding the ability to write   People and Resources Mentioned To join this cohort of Coach Write90 go to https://coachwrite.co.uk/coachwrite90 [https://coachwrite.co.uk/coachwrite90] The murder at Kendrick Manor by Jody Derby https://amzn.to/429cXxa [https://amzn.to/429cXxa] People who Pivot by Helen ONeill https://amzn.to/429RcNI [https://amzn.to/429RcNI] Authors Guild statement about model AI clause https://authorsguild.org/news/use-of-ai-in-publishing-and-new-model-contract-clause/ [https://authorsguild.org/news/use-of-ai-in-publishing-and-new-model-contract-clause/] Prowriting Aid https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=15255 [https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=15255] Shopify https://www.shopify.com/ [https://www.shopify.com/] Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/ [https://www.kickstarter.com/] Brandon Sanderson https://www.brandonsanderson.com/ [https://www.brandonsanderson.com/] Kevin Kelly a Thousand True Fans https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/ [https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/]   Connect with Holger Website: www.holgernilspohl.com [http://www.holgernilspohl.com] Newsletter (with goodies attached!) www.holgernilspohl.com/email [http://www.holgernilspohl.com/email] Social media: everywhere under holgernilspohl   Connect with Helen Website: https://www.coachwrite.co.uk [https://www.coachwrite.co.uk]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_write [https://www.instagram.com/coach_write]

How to Get Your Book Into the Hands of Readers

This week's episode is a solo show on the question we always ask guests on the show. How do you get your book into the hands of readers? In this episode, you'll discover: * Why getting your metadata right is the unglamorous but essential foundation of book discoverability, including categories, keywords and your blurb * How to use social media and your existing community to build momentum, whether your book is freshly launched or already out in the world * The power of promotion stacking and the book promotion sites that can give your launch sales a real boost * How paid advertising on Amazon and Facebook works, and why Amazon is the best place to start if you're new to it * Why podcasts, in-person events and PR are still some of the most effective ways to raise your profile as an author and get your book noticed   Resources and people mentioned Join the next cohort of Coach Write 90: https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/coachwrite90 [https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/coachwrite90] Publisher Rocket: https://publisherrocket.com/ [https://publisherrocket.com/] Draft to Digital: https://draft2digital.com/ [https://draft2digital.com/] Barnes and Nobel: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/] David Gaughran: https://davidgaughran.com/best-promo-sites-books/ [https://davidgaughran.com/best-promo-sites-books/] People Who Pivot by Helen ONeill: https://amzn.to/42qrkwT [https://amzn.to/42qrkwT] Connect with Helen Website: https://www.coachwrite.co.uk [https://www.coachwrite.co.uk]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen]

From Antarctica to Author Iain McCormick on Frustration Inoculation and the Many Routes to Publication

Helen speaks to Iain McCormick, founder of the Executive Coaching Centre, coach supervisor, and trainer, and author of five books, the most recent being Frustration Inoculation: Eight Practical Steps from Struggle to Strength. In this episode, you'll learn: * What frustration inoculation actually means, how it differs from conventional stress management, and why a proactive approach of anticipating and preparing for difficult situations is something any coach can bring to their clients. * What it's really like to publish across every route — traditional multinational, small press, academic, hybrid, and independent — and the honest trade-offs of each, from prestige and reach to creative freedom and royalty percentages. * Why Iain's most lucrative book per month is a self-published PDF, and how independent publishing opens up possibilities. * Iain's writing philosophy: never sit down in front of a blank page, always compose in your mind first, and follow the energy of what genuinely excites you — because that spirit comes through on every page.   Connect with Iain Website: https://iainmccormick.net [https://iainmccormick.net] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainmccormick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainmccormick] Book: Frustration Inoculation: Eight Practical Steps from Struggle to Strength by Iain McCormick   Connect with Helen Free masterclass 1st May at midday: From coaching practitioner, to published author: https://coachwrite.co.uk/chapter [https://coachwrite.co.uk/chapter] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/] Coach Write Reflections (free weekly newsletter): https://coachwrite.co.uk/reflections [https://coachwrite.co.uk/reflections] People Who Pivot: https://amzn.to/4dfSqh0 [https://amzn.to/4dfSqh0]     People and Resources Mentioned ProWritingAid https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=15255 [https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=15255] Schema Coaching by Iain McCormick https://amzn.to/3QwUnw0 [https://amzn.to/3QwUnw0] Donald Meichenbaum / Stress Inoculation Therapy https://www.donaldmeichenbaum.com/ [https://www.donaldmeichenbaum.com/] Jeffrey Young / Schema Therapy Coaching Plain and Simple by Peter Szabo https://amzn.to/41YhgLq [https://amzn.to/41YhgLq] Cortex Journal https://www.scimagojr.com/journalsearch.php?q=14945&tip=sid [https://www.scimagojr.com/journalsearch.php?q=14945&tip=sid] On the Road by Jack Kerouac https://amzn.to/4t4BtLJ [https://amzn.to/4t4BtLJ] Fiverr https://www.fiverr.com/ [https://www.fiverr.com/] Wispr (dictation tool) https://wisprflow.ai/ [https://wisprflow.ai/] Coral Hart (AI author) https://coralhart.com/ [https://coralhart.com/] The Bookseller https://www.thebookseller.com/ [https://www.thebookseller.com/] Cambridge University Press https://www.cambridge.org/ [https://www.cambridge.org/] Society of Authors human authored certification https://humanauthored.co.uk/ [https://humanauthored.co.uk/] Hachette https://www.hachette.co.uk/ [https://www.hachette.co.uk/]

Welcome to the Museum of a Life: Sue Finch on Poetry, Coaching, and Finding Your Voice

Helen speaks to Sue Finch, EMCC accredited coach, poet, and host of the podcast Singing as the Darkness Lifts, and author of two poetry collections: Magnifying Glass and Welcome to the Museum of a Life. In this episode you’ll learn: * How a 30-year career in education led Sue to pursue an MA in Creative Writing and why building a structured commitment around her studies was the key to making time for her writing. * The rejection that sent Sue back to the drawing board, and how a single poem called Museum of a Life unlocked an entirely new way of thinking about what a poetry collection could be. * What the curation process for a poetry collection actually looks like, from organising poems into themed galleries, to working with an editor in a Zoom room reading poems aloud, to the moment a handmade blue apple became a book cover. * How Sue weaves poetry into her coaching practice, and why she believes that hearing your own thoughts out loud is at the heart of both disciplines. * Sue's advice for coaches and aspiring poets who want to start writing: splurge first, find your tribe, and choose wise people to help you edit. (Brilliant!)   Connect with Sue: Website: https://suefinch.co.uk/ [https://suefinch.co.uk/] LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/suefinchcoachpoet [http://www.linkedin.com/in/suefinchcoachpoet] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@poetsuefinch [https://www.youtube.com/@poetsuefinch] Blue Sky: @suefinch.bsky.social X: @soopoftheday Podcast: https://suefinch.co.uk/singing-as-the-darkness-lifts-podcast/ Book: Welcome to the Museum of a Life: https://amzn.eu/d/03gMpUqT [https://amzn.eu/d/03gMpUqT] Connect with Helen: Free newsletter: https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/reflections [https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/reflections]  Coach Write 90: https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/coachwrite90 [https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/coachwrite90]  People Who Pivot: https://amzn.to/4dfSqh0 [https://amzn.to/4dfSqh0]    People and Resources mentioned: Anna Saunders Cheltenham Poetry Festival https://cheltenhampoetryfestival.co.uk/meet-the-team/ [https://cheltenhampoetryfestival.co.uk/meet-the-team/] Arvon:  https://www.arvon.org/ [https://www.arvon.org/]  Queer writers for a brave new world https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/queer-writing-for-a-brave-new-world [https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/queer-writing-for-a-brave-new-world]  Black Eyes Publishing https://www.blackeyespublishinguk.co.uk/ [https://www.blackeyespublishinguk.co.uk/]  Jason Conway cover designer https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonleeconway/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonleeconway/] Josephine Lay – editor at Black Eyes Publishing In Good Company – Jo Hawkins and Zoe Hawkins https://www.igcompany.com/ [https://www.igcompany.com/]  The Table by Edip Cansever https://www.sharonsinger.ca/poem-of-the-week/table-by-edip-cansever [https://www.sharonsinger.ca/poem-of-the-week/table-by-edip-cansever]  52 Write a Poem a Week. Start Now. Keep Going by Jo Bell https://amzn.to/4bEqanb [https://amzn.to/4bEqanb]  Gloucester Poetry Society https://www.thegloucestershirepoetrysociety.co.uk/ [https://www.thegloucestershirepoetrysociety.co.uk/]  The Air Year by Caroline Bird https://amzn.eu/d/027OCLkj [https://amzn.eu/d/027OCLkj] Simplifying Coaching by Claire Pedrick https://amzn.to/48cHJIy [https://amzn.to/48cHJIy] The Human Behind the Coach by Claire Pedrick https://amzn.to/4uWmVPj [https://amzn.to/4uWmVPj]  The Coaches Inn Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3LLZFrIkNrtUDLdukZe8iX [https://open.spotify.com/show/3LLZFrIkNrtUDLdukZe8iX] Dream More by Dolly Parton https://amzn.to/4vf2sFV [https://amzn.to/4vf2sFV] Nebula Awards https://nebulas.sfwa.org/about-the-nebulas/how-to-participate-rules/ [https://nebulas.sfwa.org/about-the-nebulas/how-to-participate-rules/]