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Business Book Bites

Business Book Bites

Written by: Karen Williams
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 In the Business Book Bites Podcast, we unlock the secrets behind game-changing business books, diving into the minds of influential authors and experts.

Whether you're writing your first book or looking to amplify your message, each episode provides insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you craft an authority-building book.
  • Series 5: Discover what it takes to write a book that changes everything - insights from authors and experts who want to make a difference.
  • Series 4: Explore publishing and marketing with conversations, inspiration, and top tips to maximise your book’s impact.
  • Series 3: Tackle hot topics in book writing with expert insights and actionable advice from published authors.
  • Series 2: Go behind the scenes with successful business authors and uncover the strategies that got them published.
  • Series 1: Meet the marketing experts from Book Marketing Made Simple and learn how to leverage your book for business growth.
You can find out more about our events at www.librotas.com/librotasevents including our monthly Coffee and Connect Café networking event and writing retreat in Spain.

Get your copy of Karen's latest book at www.bookmarketingmadesimple.com.

Connect with Karen

Website: http://www.librotas.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/librotas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenwilliamslibrotas
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/librotas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenwilliamslibrotas
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@librotasKaren Williams - Librotas Ltd Art Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The Mindset Shift Behind a Bigger, Bolder Book with Claire Brumby [S5, E8]

    The Mindset Shift Behind a Bigger, Bolder Book with Claire Brumby [S5, E8]
    Jan 8 2026
    In today's episode, Karen Williams (The Book Mentor) sits down with Claire Brumby, motivational speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author. Claire shares her journey from launching her first book, The Winning Mix, back in 2018 – a guide inspired by her own entrepreneurial experience in the food industry – to mapping out her upcoming title, Forget Normal, I Want Magic, which introduces her progressive leadership framework and is set to be published in April 2026. Together, they dive into the differences between self-publishing and securing a publishing deal, the evolution of Claire Brumby's business and message, and the ambitious goal of making her next book a Sunday Times bestseller. You'll hear practical advice for aspiring authors, candid reflections on book writing challenges, and unique marketing tactics like 'lumpy mail' and leveraging your network. Plus, Claire Brumby reveals the origins of her signature MAGIC acronym and how it's shaping leaders and organizations for the future.** 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. Our Smart Author Momentum programme starts on Monday 19 January 2026, and 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 Find Your Why Before You Start Writing: Claire stressed the importance of sitting with yourself, understanding your motivations, the audience you want to serve, and what you want your book to achieve. Knowing your why gives you the staying power you’ll need for the writing process. The Power of Networks & Bold Marketing: When preparing for her second book launch, Claire is going all in on connection—leveraging her network, reaching out directly, and even bringing back old-school lumpy mail marketing! Don’t be afraid to ask for help or experiment to spread your message. Frameworks Make Ideas Stick: The MAGIC framework (Mindset, Awakening, Gumption, Intuition, Charisma) isn’t just memorable—it's actionable. Whether you’re leading a team or presenting on stage, frameworks like this make complex ideas tangible and practical, helping both you and your audience grow. Bio Claire Brumby is a motivational speaker, leadership coach and best-selling author helping leaders and organisations unlock intuitive, emotionally intelligent and future-ready leadership. As a former FMCG founder and Dragons’ Den alumna, Claire brings real-world commercial experience together with deep insight into resilience, mindset and transformation. Her new book, Forget Normal – I Want Magic! introduces her pioneering MAGIC framework—Mindset, Awakening, Gumption, Intuition, and Charisma, offering a progressive approach to self-leadership in a world reshaping fast. Claire challenges outdated, overly masculine leadership norms and invites every leader, regardless of gender, to embrace balanced energetics, intuition and personal power. Claire works internationally with organisations, boards and executive leaders to develop cultures that are authentic, human-centred and high performing - without burnout. She speaks powerfully on intuitive leadership, emotional intelligence, authenticity in modern leadership, and how to lead with courage in times of uncertainty and change. Her mission is to inspire individuals and organisations to lead with heart, clarity and confidence, and to create impact that feels meaningful, aligned and sustainable. Website: www.clairebrumby.com Book link: https://tinyurl.com/ForgetNormalIWantMagic Socials: https://www.instagram.com/theclairebrumby Time stamped overview: 00:00 Entrepreneurial Lessons from Food Industry06:27 Pandemic Pivot: Expanding Business Horizons10:11 Overcoming Self-Doubt for Success14:01 Shooting for the Bestseller Goal17:27 Chasing Sunday Times Bestseller18:33 Leveraging Networks and Celebrations21:32 Overcoming Fear for Leadership25:50 Memorable Impact Through Magic28:35 Quick Mindset Boost Guide32:14 Business Culture Fuels Burnout37:59 Blending Memoir and Advice Keywords: book writing, self-publishing, publishing deal, Sunday Times bestseller, keynote speaking, leadership, coaching, business growth, food mentor, entrepreneurial journey, women leaders, positive disruption, marketing tactics, lumpy mail, personal development, pivoting in business, author journey, goal setting, book proposal, magic framework, Kogan Page, organizational change, storytelling, writing process
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    33 mins
  • Stepping Into the Spotlight - How to Raise your Visibility with Susan M. Barber [S5 E7]

    Stepping Into the Spotlight - How to Raise your Visibility with Susan M. Barber [S5 E7]
    Dec 18 2025
    Today, Karen Williams, The Book Mentor, sits down with Susan M. Barber, a leading visibility coach and former Kraft Heinz executive. With over 25 years of corporate leadership experience under her belt, Susan has turned her journey – from battling imposter syndrome to becoming an influential author and podcast host – into invaluable lessons for quiet, high-achieving professionals looking to step into the spotlight. In this conversation, Susan shares the story of how blogging about her own struggles and triumphs led to writing her influential books and building a business centered on helping others embrace their unique strengths. You’ll hear insights about her signature “Rise” framework for gaining visibility, why she wrote a workbook to accompany her main book, and practical tips for anyone struggling with self-promotion – especially those who identify as introverts. If you’ve ever wondered how to authentically share your achievements without feeling like you’re bragging, or what it takes to go from corporate life to author and entrepreneur, this episode is full of honest advice and inspiration. ** 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 TakeawaysVisibility Is a Skill, Not Just a Trait: Susan shared how her own struggles with imposter syndrome and being “too quiet” inspired her to develop authentic strategies for visibility that work—even for introverts and reluctant self-promoters.Your Story Resonates More Than You Think: By openly sharing her personal and professional stories through blogs, books, and her podcast, Susan found her vulnerability created connection—and clients saw themselves in her journey.Books (and Workbooks!) Create Ecosystems: Publishing her story unlocked new opportunities—including speaking gigs, workshops, and international connections. Her recent workbook goes beyond inspiration, providing practical prompts and resources to help readers implement real change.BioSusan M. Barber is a leading visibility coach who helps quiet, high-achieving corporate leaders step into the spotlight and become visible, valued, and influential. With over twenty-five years of leadership experience at Kraft Heinz, Susan understands the challenges of corporate life. She’s the author of Your Journey to Visibility Workbook, The Visibility Factor and the host of The Visibility Factor podcast. Through her coaching and work, Susan empowers professionals to embrace their unique strengths, grow their influence, and take their careers to the next level. Website: https://susanmbarber.com Book link: The Visibility Factor and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching Time stamped overview: 00:00 From Imposter Syndrome to Business05:45 Prioritizing My Role as Author09:06 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Visibility12:44 Career Clarity for Decision Making16:27 Share Impact, Not Ego18:54 Inspiring Others to Try Boldly20:29 Embracing a Voice to Help24:47 Guidance Unlocks Limitless Potential Keywords: visibility coach, imposter syndrome, authentic leadership, personal branding, career success, blog writing, storytelling, book writing, workbook creation, influence growth, author mindset, podcast hosting, visibility challenges, pandemic career impact, career transition, career clarity framework, introverts in business, book publishing, developmental editing, business ecosystem, public speaking, business networking, marketing books
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    26 mins
  • The Courage to Write a Book That Matters with Deborah Naish [S5 E6]

    The Courage to Write a Book That Matters with Deborah Naish [S5 E6]
    Dec 11 2025
    Welcome to another episode of Business Book Bites! Today, host and book mentor Karen Williams sits down with Deborah Naish, an award-winning executive coach and author of Level Up Your Leadership.

    With over 40 years of experience in both corporate and nonprofit leadership, Deborah brings a wealth of wisdom on how leaders can create positive change with intention and clarity. In this conversation, Deborah shares her journey from adamantly believing she’d never write a book to becoming a published author—thanks to some inspiration from other writers and a few pivotal mindset shifts.

    She opens up about imposter syndrome, the importance of curiosity and acceptance, and how writing her book not only helped her formalize her own leadership models but also gave her powerful new tools to help clients and elevate her business.

    If you’re an aspiring author, a coach, or simply someone seeking inspiration from a seasoned leader who’s walked the talk, this episode is packed with practical tips, authentic reflections, and plenty of encouragement to help you level up your own journey.

    ** 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

    • Embrace the Beginner Mindset: Stepping into something new—even if it’s messy or uncomfortable—is where meaningful growth happens.
    • Structure Creates Freedom: Turning instinctive ways of working into a framework not only clarifies your process, but also creates ongoing resources for both you and your clients.
    • Curiosity and Acceptance are Superpowers: Staying curious and learning to accept what is helps us transform roadblocks into possibilities, whether in writing or business.
    Bio

    Deborah Naish is an award-winning executive coach and author of Level Up Your Leadership. With 40+ years of experience in corporate and nonprofit leadership, she helps leaders grow their impact with clarity and intention. Based in Santa Barbara, she finds inspiration by the ocean and sees leadership as a force for positive change. 2025 winner of two Goody Business Book Awards: Leadership: Mentor/Coaching and Leadership: Motivation.

    Website: www.deborahnaish.com

    Book link: Level Up Your Leadership: Becoming More Conscious, Courageous & Resilient https://www.amazon.com/Level-Your-Leadership-Conscious-Courageous/dp/B0FKMM6KVD

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

    Time stamped overview:
    00:00 Writing a Book: The Start
    03:54 Creating Connection Through Writing
    07:14 Level Up Loop Framework
    11:04 Overcoming Doubt to Achieve Success
    16:25 Exploring What's Next
    19:15 Acceptance and Moving Forward
    21:06 Unlocking Personal Agency
    25:45 Flexible Approach to Writing Tasks
    29:56 Leadership Lessons for Everyone
    30:52 Deborah on Podcast

    Keywords: leadership, executive coaching, book writing journey, author mindset, imposter syndrome, business book, leadership development, self-publishing, book marketing, book launch, building a coaching business, personal growth, writing process, book structure and frameworks, publishing awards, business awards, social impact, women in business, book as a business card, LinkedIn marketing, developmental editing, overcoming self-doubt
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    29 mins
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