I’m honoured to share that I’ve been nominated for the Women of Stature Awards 2026 in Coaching and Mentorship.

It got me thinking about what I witness every day as a book coach. About how leaders, mentors and visionaries build not just books, but legacies that ripple far beyond their own lives.

It’s one thing to talk about legacy in abstract terms, but have you ever really imagined it? Picture holding your finished book in your hands. The smooth cover beneath your fingers, the crisp edges of the pages and the subtle scent of fresh print.

You turn a page and feel a flutter in your chest because your story is now helping someone who so desperately needed it. That moment, when your words meet a reader’s life, is the heartbeat of the legacy you are creating. It is that feeling I had when I held my first book, The Last of the Silver Wings, in my hands. I am now writing the fifth book in that medieval fantasy series. The series is in honour of my middle daughter, Nadine. But I am writing Taming the Monster of Postpartum Depression for a very different audience.

Many of my clients come to me with vastly different topics and genres. They bring energy, ideas and vision to touch the lives of their audiences. For them, a book is more than words on paper. It is a way to amplify leadership, strengthen their personal brand as a person of authority, sell books at talks and create multiple streams of income. I have found that men and women in my programme have different needs.

My male clients often start strong, seeing the strategic value straight away. My role is to often steer them to bring their heart to the book, so that their readers feel seen and heard, even though they may never meet the author. These leaders understand that completing their books positions them as an authority and opens doors to new opportunities. But when rewrites arrive, hesitation can creep in and then they often tell me about the importance of their other current projects and how they can’t seem to finish because of their work. I have felt that way many times as I juggle my coaching and speaking with my writing.

Rewrites shift the energy for writers. Many writers feel they’ve done something wrong when they have to do rewrites. This reaction is often a throwback to school days, where edits were seen as correcting faults, rather than steps in a creative journey. Even as a book coach, I don’t love the rewrites.

In reality, rewrites are an evolutionary process, a step in refining your message. A way to make your book even stronger, sharper and more impactful for your readers.

My female clients experience a similar pause, yet theirs often intertwine with questions of worth and investment. And this does not just affect writers. Women typically underestimate their abilities in comparison to men. In addition, they often carry the bulk of the child-caring responsibilities and for them, finding a work-life balance is a challenge.

Many tell me, “I’ll invest in myself later. After the next promotion or after the kids are settled. When exams are over or when I have finished this project.” That delay can keep the book and their legacy locked inside, a gift not yet shared with the world. I spend more time in my coaching sessions with women discussing emotional and family challenges than with my male clients.

Understanding these dynamics isn’t just useful for women. Male leaders who want to support their female partners, colleagues, or friends in creative or leadership pursuits can benefit from knowing these emotional stumbling blocks.

When we recognise that self-doubt, juggling multiple roles, or hesitation to invest in oneself are real and common challenges, we can become more empathetic and supportive in our roles as coaches.

At the heart of the journey is self-efficacy, which is the belief in your own ability to achieve goals and succeed in a specific situation. People with high self-efficacy are three times more likely to complete long-term creative projects like books. It’s not about talent alone. It is about believing you can finish, trusting your voice, and committing to your legacy.

But we can’t kid ourselves. Writing can be a tiring and stressful endeavour. Which is why self-care is so important in the writing process. In my book “Escaping the Well of Silence,” a sizable portion of the book is dedicated to self-care.  Is the author getting enough sleep? Do they exercise? Do they eat nutritious meals? How many cups of coffee do they drink? What stories are they telling themselves about the work they do?

Here’s a scene I often share with my writers: You typed “Chapter One” months ago. The thrill of possibility coursed through you. Now the blinking cursor stares back. Your chest tightens. Doubts creep in: Do I have the voice? Am I worth this time? Can I finish? You pause, breathe deeply, feel the desk beneath your hands, the warmth of sunlight spilling across the page. You whisper to yourself, “I can finish this book. I WILL finish this book. My readers need me. My legacy demands it.” And then slowly, deliberately, you write the next paragraph.

Here are some mindset shifts for leader-authors writing a book and self-publishing:

1. Affirm your completion: Say it aloud, feel it in your bones, commit to finishing.
2. Anchor the book as your legacy asset: Your words are part of your leadership and mentorship footprint.
3. Reframe rewrites as deepening: Each edit strengthens your story, your voice, and your impact.
4. Invoke the reader’s need: Picture the person who will open your book and feel hope, clarity, or inspiration.
5. Elevate your self-efficacy: Recall past successes, leadership wins, and moments when you finished something meaningful. Let them remind you: I can do this again.

Every book completed is more than a manuscript. It’s a legacy, a strategic asset, and a statement of authority. My Women of Stature nomination has reminded me how powerful belief, mindset and perseverance can be. Not just for the author, but for everyone touched by their words.

Are you ready to turn your book into a reality? Reach out to me today, and let’s create your book strategy so your story, your voice, and your legacy reach the world.