I tried to fit him into a “book box” and it completely backfired


Reading time: 2.25

​Read this email in your browser.

​

Hey Reader,

When he came to me for book coaching, I was really excited — he was full of energy and had a message and a GREAT story.

(This guy is really well known in his industry now, you might recognise his name if I mentioned it)

I lined up all my pens and pencils and rulers and rules about “how a book should be written” and “what a book coach should do” and we got started and…

…it did NOT go well.

He wasn’t following my plan.

He wasn’t getting his writing done.

And I still believed the Kool Story the gurus spin about how if their programme or coaching isn’t working, it’s your fault because you’re not trying hard enough.

jUst FolLoW tHe pRoCEsS

(can’t tell you how much shame I’ve carried over the years when these high-profile courses and programmes I’d taken didn’t deliver the results they’d promised)

I had a proper OH SHIT moment when he hopped onto one of our calls and said, “Mate, this isn’t working. We’re not a good fit.”

My feelings were 50% hot, prickling shame and embarrassment, and 50% horror that I had inadvertently been perpetuating harm by trying to force people to do things in a particular way.

The way I’d been pushed to do things.

And the most ridiculous thing?

THAT PROCESS DIDN’T EVEN WORK FOR ME.

I’d just assumed there was something wrong with me, and this rigid way of working would be good for Other People.

Oh how wrong I was.

And how grateful I am that he took the time and care to explain to me exactly why my approach wasn’t working for him.

Doubly grateful that he was one of my earliest clients, so I got this necessary and brilliant lesson in time to change my process.

I spent a LOT of time figuring out how I write and create best.

And watching how other writers and creators do it.

And actually asking people what they want and need…

Now, I have a lot of tools, techniques, and processes and if none of those work for a client, I’ll find what does — or introduce them to another book coach who might be a better fit.

If you’re writing a nonfiction book and you’ve ground to a halt, or you can’t seem to get started, I wonder —

are you trying to fit yourself into a book box that won’t contain you?

Are you following “rules” that weren’t made for you?

I’ll help you figure out a process that works for YOU.

And the way I’m doing that over the next 2 months is MicroBook Magic: an 8-week small group coaching program that helps you get that book idea out of your head and into the real world.

It’s for creative entrepreneurs, misfits, coaches, writers, and CEOs who are OVER feeling guilty about that unstarted masterpiece and ready for authordom…

Because you can write your book without feeling pulled in 10 different directions at once, burning out, and drowning in the shame of avoidance and procrastination.

One space has already gone, so if you want in — let’s do this.

Sign up right here — we start on April 28:

If you do have questions about whether this is right for you, drop me a line and ask or book a quick chat here.

TTFN,

Vicky

How to work with The MicroBook Magician

​MicroBook Magic: Write your MicroBook in just 8 weeks — book for April 2025

​Creative Playground: Write every day + get advice, support, and bonus access to my workshops! (1 week trial for £1)

​Book Coach In Your Pocket: Let’s see how much you can get done in just 30 days

​VIP Book Breakthrough Day: Make a quantum leap in book progress in just one day (or two half-days)

​Nonfiction Book Ghostwriting: Idea to book in just 20 weeks

​Buy My Book: How the hell do you write a book?

​

Learn to Write Like You Mean It

Join 500+ writers, creatives, misfits, and weirdos and learn to write like you mean it in 10 minutes a week. Get ONE practical tip, story, or shenanigan every Tuesday + a creative goodie bag on Friday 🖖🏼

Read more from Learn to Write Like You Mean It

Reading time: 4.34 Read this email in your browser. Hey Reader, I beg you not to use AI to outline your book. This isn’t another “I HATE AI IT’S EVIL BLAH BLAH BAN IT” email, I promise. I use AI most days, it’s very useful. But I never, ever, EVEREVEREVER use it to kickstart my creative process. I don’t use it to outline my books or articles. I understand why people do: the blank page is a tough thing to face. It’s hard work to create something from nothing. But here’s a little secret: We’re...

Photo of a small hard-back book titled “Fucking Apostrophes” on sage green cloth with black lettering and scrollwork.

Reading time: 4.28 Read this email in your browser. Hey Reader, Someone — I can’t remember who — gifted me a splendid little book. (thank you if it was you) It’s a 62-page, cloth-bound hard-back, beautifully designed, and just 105 x 158 mm. Pocket sized. It’s the content, though, that makes it a true MicroBook. It’s a book on grammar… but that’s far too broad a description. There are many, many books on grammar out there. Many, many of them are deeply boring. And out of date. (because grammar...

Reading time: 2.52 Read this email in your browser. Hey Reader, “I didn’t have time to work on my book, I had a huge pile of ironing to do.” I’ve just made up this quote to illustrate the ridiculousness of societal norms and expectations and to bring you this life hack: stop ironing. Seriously. Stop it. (Unless you like ironing, in which case, crack on. My brother, the little weirdo, likes ironing. If it’s a leisure activity, by all means do not let me yuk your yum.) My cat peed on my ironing...