An Ode to Fiona

On courage, trust and a business leader writing the book she was meant to write - with the right people beside her.

Let me tell you about a woman I met less than a year ago who I now consider to be a good friend. She's interesting, exciting and spending time with her is exhilarating.

It was a sunny evening last May when she walked into my writing group in Trizio Coffee House, Ayrshire. She said she was out of her comfort zone but that she would go for it anyway. This is who she is. I later found out that she had lost her husband less than a month earlier but was pushing herself to live life with joy when crumbling with such awful grief would have been so much easier.

Where the book began

She asked if we could arrange a book strategy session as she had written a business book. The day before our meeting, she sent me the 'final draft' of her manuscript. I was blunt, I told her it was a workbook rather than a book and there our relationship started based on honesty, trust and, frankly, no bullshit.

She has lived all over the world, has taught thousands of business leaders using her signature frameworks and my job, as I saw it, was to bring that vast experience to the page in the same way that she brought it to every live workshop she taught.

Her book is called Working with Trust and that was how we worked together. She trusted me to help her and I trusted her to take on board my advice and write a truly exceptional book.

She did.

Our sessions were filled with laughter, her stories were hilarious. We were interviewed by The Ayrshire Magazine (see the article here) and the photo they chose to use of us has us doubled over with laughter - very fitting for our time together.

Life after loss - and a lesson for all of us

Since losing her husband, Fiona has written a business book, launched a podcast and built a website all while running her global membership and nipping off, overseas and down south, to deliver her workshops and trainings.

She is 72 and has absolutely no intention of slowing down. She is not different from the rest of us, she simply - and I know that this is never simple - makes a conscious decision every morning to live, to grab opportunities, to push herself out of her comfort zone. She is truly one of the most inspirational people I have ever met.

The Curious Wolf Collective: a trusted publishing pathway

While working with her, I had been building The Curious Wolf Collective - a trusted ecosystem of all of the experts needed in the book writing, publishing and promotion journey. Trust had been built between Fiona and I and so she trusted that the people I introduced her to would be ideal for the next stages of her book.

She worked with Cicely Oliver for a copy edit of her book, then moved onto Jo Wildsmith Publishing for cover design, formatting, proof reading, publishing and upload onto multiple platforms. Whilst this was happening, she worked with Heather Offord on her book launch roadmap and then Lindsay Reid on PR.

This is what the collective is about - a trusted pathway. Membership is by invite only and so the expertise of all members has been pre-verified. We're shaking things up, and loving doing so! With clients like Fiona to work with, doing so is a dream come true.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Curious Wolf Collective?

The Curious Wolf Collective is a trusted ecosystem of experts covering every stage of the book writing, publishing and promotion journey - from manuscript development and copy editing through to cover design, formatting, launch strategy and PR. Membership is by invitation only, meaning every expert has been personally vetted. It exists to give business authors a clear, trusted pathway from first draft to published book, without the overwhelm of finding and vetting a team alone.

What does a book coach actually do?

A book coach works with you to shape your idea into a book that is genuinely publishable - not just a collection of your knowledge, but a structured, compelling read. That might mean challenging your structure, pushing you to go deeper on your stories, helping you find your voice on the page, or being honest when something isn't working. A good book coach brings both editorial expertise and accountability. They are not a ghostwriter; the words remain yours. They are the person who sees what your book can be and helps you get it there.

How do I know if I need a book coach or a ghostwriter?

If you have the stories, the expertise and the desire to write - but need structure, direction and someone to keep you focussed - you need a book coach. If you have the ideas but genuinely do not have the time or inclination to write the words yourself, a ghostwriter may be the right fit. Many business authors start thinking they need a ghostwriter and discover, with the right coaching, that they are more than capable of writing a powerful book themselves. The difference often comes down to confidence as much as capacity.

What is the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing?

Traditional publishing means submitting your manuscript to an established publisher - usually via a literary agent - who then funds the editing, design, printing and distribution in exchange for a percentage of royalties. It offers prestige and reach but can take years and is highly competitive, particularly for first-time business authors. Self-publishing means you retain full creative control and a far greater share of royalties, but you fund and manage the process yourself - or, as with The Curious Wolf Collective, you work with a trusted team who handle it for you. For most business authors building a personal brand or supporting a speaking and training career, self-publishing is not the compromise it once was; it is often the smarter, faster choice.

How long does it take to write a business book?

It depends enormously on where you are starting from and how much support you have. With a clear structure, regular writing sessions and a good book coach, most business authors can produce a solid first draft in six months. The editing, design, formatting and publishing process typically adds another two to four months on top of that. So realistically, from first conversation to published book, you are looking at nine to twelve months. What most people underestimate is not the writing - it is the clarity of thinking required before the writing begins. Get that right at the start and everything else moves faster.

To chat with Suzanne - email her here.

Topics: business book writing · book coaching Scotland · book launch strategy · Working with Trust · The Curious Wolf Collective · Ayrshire · business leadership · women over 70 · grief and resilience