Business Book Bites

Welcome to this episode of Business Book Bites! Today, Karen Williams sits down with Julia Wood. With over 30 years’ experience working with or for the NHS, Julia is on a mission to help NHS professionals feel less frazzled, and she’s the author of the insightful new book, De-frazzle Your NHS Job. 

In this conversation, Julia Wood opens up about her personal journey—balancing a high-pressure role, caring for family, and ultimately finding a way to support her own well-being.   

She shares how her lived experience, combined with in-depth interviews with NHS staff, formed the backbone of her book. They discuss the importance of niching down, the power of gathering real stories, and how these lessons translate into practical support for anyone working within, or alongside, the NHS.  

Whether you’re curious about writing your own book, struggling with workplace overwhelm, or simply want to hear how honest, actionable advice can make a real difference, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at turning experience into impact.   

** Upcoming Events **  

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly online networking events, the Coffee and Connect Café, held on the first Tuesday of each month.  You’ll get learning, ideas, and the chance to connect with other authors.  

We also run an annual writing retreat, and our next retreat in Spain is from 25 April to 2 May 2026. Join us for a week in the sun writing your book!  

You can find out more about all our upcoming events at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents. Or contact Karen Williams to find out how she can help you with your book via www.librotas.com.   

Key Takeaways  

Real stories create real impact: Interviewing a diverse group of NHS staff added depth, relevance, and broad appeal to my book—don’t underestimate the power of community voices when sharing your message.  

Practical tools beat theory: Readers don’t just want to know ‘what’ to do, but ‘how.’ Short chapters, reflective exercises, and actionable templates make change actually stick.  

Niche down to level up: Focusing specifically on the NHS meant directly addressing specific challenges, leading to genuine engagement, opportunities, and a growing community of “cheerleaders.”  

Bio   Julia Wood is on a mission to help NHS staff feel less frazzled. She’s the author of De-frazzle Your NHS Job and regularly speaks at conferences, as well as delivering workshops and masterclasses on the topic. Julia has over 30 years’ experience working in or for the NHS.   Website: www.de-frazzle.co.uk   

Book link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/frazzle-Your-NHS-Job-minutes/dp/1919423702/   

Socials:     https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliawoodqi https://x.com/JuliaWoodQI https://www.facebook.com/Defrazzle   

Time stamped overview:  
00:00 Struggles of Overwork and Caregiving
03:12 NHS Lived Experience Strategies
06:31 Impact and Collaboration Under Pressure
10:44 Broad Questions, Honest Insights
16:17 Reframing Marketing as Serving
18:15 Book Gaining Enthusiastic Support
20:48 Motivation for Writing Books  

Keywords:    NHS staff well-being, stress management, burnout prevention, NHS staff shortages, high pressure work environments, time management, organization skills, work-life balance, quality improvement tools, change management techniques, team dynamics, working with challenging relationships, nhs staff resources, interviews with NHS staff, book testimonials, book beta readers, marketing for books, conference speaking, workshops for NHS staff, book launch strategies, business credibility, niche publishing, resources for NHS professionals

Ready to make real progress on your book? In this episode of Business Book Bites, Karen Williams and Sheryl Andrews dive deep into the concept of creating space to write – beyond just physically sitting down at your desk. They share insights from years of running writing retreats and coaching authors, exploring why just carving out time isn’t enough.  

From managing life’s distractions (like bathroom renovations!) and breaking away from daily triggers, to finding the environments and support systems that truly nurture creativity, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.   

Karen and Sheryl talk about the transformative power of writing with others, processing emotions that surface through storytelling, and the vital importance of peer support, accountability, and kindness on your author journey.  

Whether you’re squeezing in writing before breakfast or dreaming of a week in sunny Spain, this episode will help you redefine how you think about making space for your book—and inspire you to commit, connect, and create your best work.  

** Upcoming Events **  

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly online networking event, the Coffee and Connect Café, held on the first Tuesday of each month except May when we take a break. You’ll get learning, ideas, and the chance to connect with other authors.  

You can find out more about all our upcoming events and programmes (including our writing retreats and Smart Author Momentum) at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents. Or contact Karen Williams to find out how she can help you via www.librotas.com.   

Key insights  

Space isn’t just physical—it’s mental and emotional. It's not just about finding a quiet room or retreat (though those help!), but also about giving your brain permission to transition into writing mode and being mindful of the emotional journey that comes with authorship.  

Peer support is invaluable. Talking your ideas through with others (as in their Author Circle and Smart Author Momentum groups) helps clarify thoughts, unlock memories, and normalize the ups and downs. “Having another human being there...reduces the stress in the system because you feel less alone.”  

Growth happens in the messy middle. Writing a book isn't just a creative project; it’s a personal transformation. You’ll process emotions, revisit tough moments, and become more visible as you commit to your book – and peer support and retreats accelerate this growth.  

Bio – Karen Williams  

Karen Williams is The Book Mentor at Librotas®, a leading authority in helping experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders write and market non-fiction books. Having started out in business in 2006, and writing her first book in 2009, she knows the difference that writing a book can make to your business when done well.   

With a focus on sharing significant stories and memorable messages, Karen guides her clients through the entire process of planning, writing, marketing, and launching a book that boosts credibility, attracts new clients, and creates exciting opportunities. Karen is the bestselling author of 10 books and a TEDx speaker.  

Website: https://librotas.com   

Socials:    https://www.facebook.com/librotas https://twitter.com/librotas https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenwilliamslibrotas/  https://www.instagram.com/karenwilliamslibrotas  https://www.youtube.com/@librotas   

Bio – Sheryl Andrews  

Sheryl Andrews is The Listening Detective and is known for helping you do more of what you love and ditch the critic that says you can’t. Sheryl spends her time supporting individuals to work, learn and live at their best, both independently and in groups, and her first book, Manage Your Critic, was published in 2016 and she is currently writing her second.  

Website: https://stepbysteplistening.com   

Time-stamped overview:  
00:00 Challenges of Transitioning to Writing
04:27 Creating Space for Writing
06:31 Rest, Space, and Fresh Perspectives
11:46 The Power of Peer Support
13:32 Finding Voice Through Shared Space
16:44 Isolation Triggers Brain Survival State
20:41 Creating Focused Writing Spaces
24:12 The Author's Journey of Growth
27:27 The Journey to Writing Again
30:04 Finding Support to Write  

Keywords:    writing a book, writing retreats, author retreats, writing mode, peer support, writing groups, overcoming inner critic, book growth, author identity, clean space, clean language, body doubling, neurodiversity and writing, survival brain, safe space, writing tone of voice, feedback, group book coaching, author circle, publishing a book, safe space to write, writing support, author support, writing retreats Spain, smart author momentum

Welcome to another episode of Business Book Bites! Today, Karen Williams is joined by Christine Barnes, a global thought leader in organizational design and systems thinking, who has just launched her new book, Inclusionable.   

Christine shares her inspiring journey of returning to academia at 63 to pursue doctoral research on inclusive leadership, and how she transformed her rigorous dissertation into a practical, story-driven business book.    From overcoming the challenges of narrative writing to creating a global community around inclusion, Christine’s insights reveal how leaders can spark lasting change and engagement in the workplace.   

In this episode, you'll hear candid stories, key aha moments, and actionable tips for anyone thinking about writing their own business book—or leading with greater inclusion. Inclusionable isn’t just a book, but the beginning of a movement for more connected, effective teams worldwide.  

 ** Upcoming Events **  

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly online networking events, the Coffee and Connect Café, held on the first Tuesday of each month. You’ll get learning, ideas, and the chance to connect with other authors.  

We also run an annual writing retreat, and our next retreat in Spain is from 25 April to 2 May 2026. Join us for a week in the sun writing your book!  

You can find out more about all our upcoming events at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents. Or contact Karen Williams to find out how she can help you via www.librotas.com.   

Key Takeaways  

Stories Create Connection: Real-life leadership stories from Christine’s research bring inclusion to life, making it relatable and actionable for readers. People learn best from peers – not just experts.  

From Dissertation to Narrative: Academic rigor is valuable, but translating it into a practical, engaging book means distilling evidence and embracing storytelling. Christine’s shift from tables and stats to narrative changed everything.

Inclusion Is Not Just DEI: "Inclusionable" focuses on inclusion as a tool for leaders to create better engagement and performance – not as part of a DEI checklist. It’s about practical strategies leaders can use every day.  

Bio  

Christine Barnes, EdD is a global thought leader on organization design, development and systems thinking. Her work of inspiring leaders and teams to solve complex business challenges effectively is at the intersection of her doctoral research on inclusionary practices of leaders, her years of executive coaching, and her passion for continuous improvement.  

Website: www.inclusionable.com   

Book link: www.inclusionable.com   

Socials: www.LinkedIn.com/in/christinebarnes   

Time stamped overview:  
00:00 From Dissertation to Impactful Book
05:05 Leadership Insights: Stories Over Data
09:13 Creating Community Through Connection
10:52 Impact of Shared Reflections
14:13 Inclusion as Leadership Strategy
18:29 Collaborative Publishing Process Insights
23:25 Start Small, Keep It Simple
26:17 Write, Edit, Move Forward  

Keywords:    organizational design, systems thinking, executive coaching, inclusive leadership, STEM organizations, inclusionary practices, inclusion biases, academic research, leadership development, narrative writing, qualitative research, quantitative research, evidence-based book, storytelling, business impact, book launch, creating a movement, community building, online connections, hybrid publishing, london book fair, girl Friday productions, manuscript editing, thought leadership, employee engagement, leadership strategy, practicing inclusion, writing a business book

Today, Karen Williams sits down with Saar Ben-Attar, founder of Ascent Growth Partners and acclaimed author of Challengers – How a New Breed of Leaders Collaborates and Wins in a Hyper Competitive World. 

Saar shares the story behind his first book, revealing how his journey – filled with collaboration, frustration, and innovation – shaped both its content and its impact. They dive into the evolution of leadership and ecosystem growth, from the challenges of writing and publishing, to the real-world impact his book has had for organisations worldwide.   

The episode explores the exciting frontier where business books meet generative AI, discussing how AI is helping readers bridge the gap between knowing and doing, driving creativity, and enabling more practical application of the book’s practices.  

Whether you’re an aspiring author, an innovation leader, or simply curious about the intersection of business and technology, this episode dives into behind-the-scenes writing insights and a glimpse of the future where books become dynamic tools for change.   

** Upcoming Events **  

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly online networking events, the Coffee and Connect Café, held on the first Tuesday of each month. 

You’ll get learning, ideas, and the chance to connect with other authors.   We also run an annual writing retreat, and our next retreat in Spain is from 25 April to 2 May 2026. Join us for a week in the sun writing your book!  

You can find out more about all our upcoming events at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents.

Or contact Karen Williams to find out how she can help you via www.librotas.com.   

Key Takeaways  

From Words to Action: Writing and publishing a business book is just the beginning. The real transformation happens when readers move beyond passive consumption and start actively applying practices in their organizations.  

Amplifying Creativity with AI: Saar shared how generative AI isn’t just a marketing tool – it’s a bridge to new collaborative possibilities, allowing readers to creatively engage with concepts and accelerate scenario planning from weeks to mere hours.  

Collaboration Drives Innovation: The secret sauce? Consistent collaboration – both in crafting the book and developing tools that empower leaders to bring ecosystem thinking into their everyday work.  

Bio  

Saar Ben-Attar is the founder of Ascent Growth Partners, an award-winning firm that focuses on innovation and ecosystem-driven growth, supporting clients in fast-growing economies in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, with offices in Johannesburg and Singapore. He has been working with Fortune Global 500 as well as mid-sized, high growth organisations for over 20 years, helping them to realise their growth aspirations.   

As a national expert in Business Ecosystems, under the auspices of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), he has helped to develop a new global guidance standard for Innovation Ecosystem Management (ISO 56012).  

His highly collaborative approach has given rise to partnerships formed with leading organisations that augment Ascent’s work, including business schools and industry think tanks.   

Apart from his role at Ascent Growth Partners, he serves as an Advisory Board member and is an Executive Fellow at the Center for the Future of Organization, at the Peter F. Drucker School of Management. His book, Challengers: How a New Breed of Leaders Collaborates and Wins in a Hyper-Competitive World, has won acclaim and is available on Amazon.com.   

Website: www.ascent-growth.com   

Book link: https://www.amazon.com/Challengers-Breed-Leaders-Collaborates-Competitive/dp/B0CYWG78FQ  

Book a 15 minute call with Saar here  

Socials:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/saarbenattar   

Time stamped overview:  
00:00 Journey of Collaborative Creation
06:10 Motivation, Challenges, and Learning
09:39 Insights on Collaboration and AI
11:45 Generative AI for Creative Impact
16:16 Testing Practices for Real Life
22:02 AI's Human Journey and Limits
25:32 Effective AI Use Requires Clarity
29:16 Generative AI Bridges Global Collaboration
32:13 Collaborative AI-Powered Book Innovation
34:34 Creating Value and Visibility  

Keywords:    ecosystem-driven growth, Ascent Growth Partners, book writing journey, leadership, hyper-competitive world, , AI innovation, generative AI, collaborative learning, bestselling author, Amazon books, podcast appearances, collaborative ecosystems, organizational impact, value creation, business practices, digital tools, card deck, AI digital assistant, cultural collaboration, future of AI ethics, book publishing

Welcome to another insightful episode of Business Book Bites! Today, we’re joined by Katie Chambers, developmental editor, copy editor, and owner of Beacon Point, LLC. Passionate about helping authors shape compelling fiction and nonfiction, Katie brings a unique perspective—not only as an experienced editor, but now as an author herself.  

Karen Williams dives into Katie’s journey on both sides of the publishing fence: from supporting nearly 300 books behind the scenes to navigating the vulnerable experience of publishing her own self-editing guides for fiction and nonfiction writers. Together, they explore the emotional rollercoaster of imposter syndrome, the challenge of knowing when to stop editing, and the importance of getting honest feedback from beta readers—as well as engaging professional editors, even if you’re one yourself.  

You’ll gain practical insights into the stages and types of editing, learn why investing in covers and blurbs might be more crucial than you think, and hear candid opinions about the powerful—but sometimes controversial—role of AI in writing and editing. Whether you’re just starting your manuscript, deep in revisions, or strategizing your book launch, Katie’s hard-won advice and actionable takeaways will help you level up your writing and publishing process.  

 ** Upcoming Events **  

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly online networking events, the Coffee and Connect Café, held on the first Tuesday of each month. You’ll get learning, ideas, and the chance to connect with other authors. 

We also run an annual writing retreat and our next event in Spain is from 25 April to 2 May 2026. Join us for a week in the sun writing your book!  

You can find out more about all our upcoming events at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents. Or contact Karen Williams to find out how she can help you via www.librotas.com.   

Key Takeaways  

Editing is a Multistage Process: Katie stressed that self-editing isn't a one-and-done deal. It often takes as much (or more!) time than writing your draft. Breaking your editing into focused rounds (story, scene/content, then actual writing improvements) is far more effective than trying to tackle everything at once.  

The Value of Outside Support (Even for Editors!): Even as a professional editor, Katie invested in external editing, beta readers, and honest feedback to gain a fresh perspective. She emphasized that authors are always “blind to their own errors,” and an outside eye is essential—even for seasoned editors.  

AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement: Katie and Karen discussed using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude for feedback and example generation. The consensus? AI can speed up certain parts of the process and offer new angles, but it’s never a substitute for thoughtful self-editing and professional review. Always make ethical, transparent choices about how and when to use these technologies.  

Bio  

Katie Chambers, a developmental editor, copy editor, and owner of Beacon Point LLC, helps authors shape powerful fiction and nonfiction. With a background in teaching middle and high school English and formal public speaking training, Katie brings clarity, enthusiasm, and a teacher’s heart to every presentation. She loves editing and running her business. Still, teaching is at her core, so give her a mic and a room of writers, and she's right at home. She’s passionate about helping authors strengthen their writing and better understand the editing process.  

Website: https://beaconpointservices.org   

Book link: https://beaconpointservices.org/self-editing-guides   

Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-chambers-62b16bb3   

Time stamped overview:  
00:00 Perils of Perpetual Editing
06:15 Investing in Writing & Feedback
08:11 Write Fearlessly, Edit Mercilessly
11:42 Write Fearlessly, Edit Honestly
14:47 Big Picture Editing Overview
20:08 AI: Nuance Over Black and White
21:07 AI-Assisted Editing and Examples
26:52 Editing: AI vs. Human Touch
27:55 Embracing and Learning ChatGPT
34:20 Author Management Tracker Development
35:49 Book Launch Strategy Tips  

Keywords:    editing process, self-editing, copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, imposter syndrome, beta readers, AI in writing, ChatGPT, Claude AI, professional editor, book publishing, author journey, book writing tips, feedback for authors, book marketing, cover design, book description, author bio, manuscript evaluation, editing levels, fiction writing, nonfiction writing, editing tools, writing drafts, publishing journey, editing costs, marketing strategies, advance review copies, arc readers