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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 Space That Makes a Book Happen with Sheryl Andrews [S5 E14]

    The Space That Makes a Book Happen with Sheryl Andrews [S5 E14]
    Feb 19 2026
    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 Writing04:27 Creating Space for Writing06:31 Rest, Space, and Fresh Perspectives11:46 The Power of Peer Support13:32 Finding Voice Through Shared Space16:44 Isolation Triggers Brain Survival State20:41 Creating Focused Writing Spaces24:12 The Author's Journey of Growth27:27 The Journey to Writing Again30:04 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
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    28 mins
  • The Moment When a Book Becomes a Spark with Christine Barnes [S5 E13]

    The Moment When a Book Becomes a Spark with Christine Barnes [S5 E13]
    Feb 12 2026
    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
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    26 mins
  • Creating a Movement with a Book with Saar Ben-Attar [S5 E12]

    Creating a Movement with a Book with Saar Ben-Attar [S5 E12]
    Feb 5 2026
    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 Creation06:10 Motivation, Challenges, and Learning09:39 Insights on Collaboration and AI11:45 Generative AI for Creative Impact16:16 Testing Practices for Real Life22:02 AI's Human Journey and Limits25:32 Effective AI Use Requires Clarity29:16 Generative AI Bridges Global Collaboration32:13 Collaborative AI-Powered Book Innovation34:34 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
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    34 mins
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