Author
Writers’ Coach
Publishing Consultant
‘Invaluable ally’
‘You provide an excellent, highly professional and personal service in advising and supporting the writing path... I only wish you were my agent, editor and publisher all in one!
Nevertheless, you continue to be an absolutely invaluable ally. I also appreciate your professionalism and high standard of excellence in what you do both in terms of the skills you have and also in your interfacing with clients.’ Amoda Maa Jeevan, author of How to Find God in Everything
‘Intuitive approach’
‘Your experience and skill is invaluable but more rare is your intuitive approach and obvious ability to read people. So are sound judgement and the ability to criticise and challenge to incite highly positive results.
Also, other sources of information on writing and getting published are not like you, equally concerned with the emotions and thoughts within as the words on the page. You offer the complete experience – just like my book – from the inside out!
I would just like to add that working with you is so very enjoyable and uplifting. You provide a fantastic service that offers absolute value for money and that too is a rare thing, these days.
You make me feel like I am working at a professional level, even though I am only really a beginner...’ Lesley Stratton Hughes, author and life coach
‘Genuine talent’
‘Julia has a highly professional approach providing balanced, objective advice and her exceptionally personable attitude made the experience more than just very useful... she was a breath of fresh air!
‘What makes her approach different is the personal touch and attention to detail that Julia brings to the table!
She has a genuine talent for listening to individuals … really “hearing” their issues, shedding light on them and developing practical action plans.’ Jo Gambi, author of Holding On: A Story of Love and Survival (Portrait, September 2006) www.joandrobgambi.com
About Julia
I am passionate about opening the way for writers to experience
InsideOut Success …
Just before I left my last in-house position as a Publishing Consultant for Random House, I was invited to speak at a seminar for writers on how to find a publisher. The event was so popular that the organisers had to allow people to stand at the back of the room.
The huge success of this evening led me to realise that many writers feel isolated and unsure of how to bridge the gap between their writing and the marketplace.
At that moment, I knew I had discovered a new way to share the wealth of knowledge and experience I had gained from my 20 years in publishing to help the creative people I have always loved working with.
Today, I ...
- know that waking up to your true nature is the key to freeing your creative spirit, empowering your writing and achieving confidence on the path to publication
- continue to discover exciting new ways for writers to access authenticity with their writing and honour the commercial considerations of the publishing industry
- realise that by integrating head and heart and combining who you are with what you do you create the cornerstones of real and enduring success
- love helping writers to move forwards when they feel stuck, to achieve clarity when they feel confused, and to feel supported so they can achieve the highest standards of personal excellence with their creative expression
- believe deeply in enjoying the journey and reaching the destination!
Starting on the publisher’s side of the desk ...
I learnt the business of publishing from the ground up starting as a desk editor in 1987 for an independent, entrepreneurial publisher called Element Books Ltd.
Despite having no previous experience, I discovered an aptitude for combining intuition and creativity with communication skills and business acumen – essential qualities for publishers and authors alike.
Ten years later, I found myself running the UK company as Managing Director and Publisher, and responsible for a multi-million pound international publishing programme having clocked up a few UK no. 1 and international bestsellers along the way. Phew!
Further corporate experience of working with Penguin and subsequently Random House dramatically broadened my perspective on the publishing business.
Progressing to the writer’s side of the desk ...
In 1999 an accident which left me unable to work for over a year changed the course of my life. I realised that life is too short not to realise the truth of who you are and to live - and take action on - your dreams.
How many people plan to write a book ‘one day’
only to discover that day never comes?
The 7 year healing journey back to my true self combined with my publishing expertise and life coach training has enabled me to create a structured system for people who want to realise their writing dreams.
I realised one of my own by writing my book The Writer’s Journey: From Inspiration to Publication, so I totally understand the writer’s perspective as well as the publisher's point of view.
I now work with passionate individuals who are highly motivated to prioritise authenticity, excellence and action!
Together, using the information, feedback and professional guidance I offer, we explore the right way forwards for each person’s individual writing journey. For some this results in successful commercial publication. For others, self publishing or other contemporary options for reaching readers prove to be the answer to creative fulfilment.
Whatever the details of the outcome, the process itself is a fascinating and rewarding voyage of discovery for all concerned.
Credentials, Track Record
and Professional Training
- Professional Publisher
With over 20 years’ experience of the industry, I have worked with literally hundreds of authors and successfully published hundreds of books for markets around the world. My track record includes UK no. 1 and international bestsellers. Revenue from books that I was personally responsible for publishing between 1997 and 2000 totalled £18.5m (about $37m). During my tenure as MD and Publisher at Element Books Ltd, in 1999 the company won the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.
- Publishing Training
I have completed the following Courses run by The Publishing Training Centre: The Desk Editor’s Role; Editorial Project Management; Commissioning & List Management; Publishing Finance – An Introduction; Negotiating Skills.
- Certificate in Life Coaching
I was trained and certified by Newcastle College in 2004, although since 2001 I have been coaching professionally and successfully drawing on my personal skills base plus my experience of working for so many years with authors individually.
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Member of The Society of Authors, The Writers' Guild of Great Britain and The National Association of Women Writers (US)
Personal Priorities ...
Alongside creating a lifestyle business that supports my core value of conscious and creative living, I choose to prioritise and enrich my life with:
Stillness, space and time just to ‘be’ as well as ‘do’ ... living close to nature and connecting with the turn of the seasons ... advanced yoga practice meditation ... ashtanga yoga ... contemporary spirituality, advaita and quantum understanding of consciousness ... music ... my own version of 5 rhythms dance ... swimming … walking ... healthy and scrumptious organic food … colourful cooking, especially outside on a summer’s evening ... African drumming and percussion ... silence ... fresh flowers from the garden ... the colours deep red and purple ... sunset skies and reflections in water … reading authentic books ... freedom, beauty and harmony ... travelling and discovering new levels of inner and outer truth ...