I can honestly say this has been the best, most enjoyable, educational and brilliant course ever. Thank you.

Alison’s patient, kind and experienced direction helped me enormously. Her experience as a publisher helped me grow into a an author that can believe in herself. She assisted me with ideas for layout, contents listing, structure and so much more. She is so professional and worth gold. 

I recently completed the 10 day book proposal challenge, and I can't say enough good things about the experience! 

The structure was spot on. Focusing on one section/day made the process enjoyable, approachable and easier to digest...

Alison made it crystal clear not only HOW to write a book proposal, but also WHY each section is important and WHAT publishers are looking for. This is gold.

Alison was our guest speaker for our Momentum client event. The ‘Sorting The Spaghetti’ session that she delivered was absolutely brilliant and I loved the mix of inspiration alongside the practicalities of giving the 6 minute timed exploratory writing a go there and then. Everyone was raving about it and it was certainly a highlight of the day.

I have had the pleasure of attending Alison’s book proposal challenge and more recently, spent two hours with her whilst she coached me to help me develop ideas for a book. I achieved more in those two hours than I have in the last two months on my own!
Alison’s combination of creativity, insightful questions, knowledge and enthusiasm are the best and I would highly recommend that anyone thinking of writing a book speaks to Alison before they put pen to paper.

Alison is a skilled moderator who puts thorough preparation into the sessions she is chairing, gaining a detailed understanding of her panellists’ core interests, yet still manages to ensure the conversation feels natural, fluid and effortless. An active listener, she has an engaging manner that puts speakers at ease and always gets the best out of them.

Alison's courses are a must for anyone looking to write a non-fiction book.  
I learned how to :
• overcome my fears and limiting beliefs
• use writing prompts to get unstuck
• think about my book strategically as an extension of my business
• build critical relationships and create groups for feedback
• market my book effectively
• pitch my book
• create a working schedule to write my book
In addition, I benefited from having 1-on-1 sessions with Alison to answer my specific questions and receive feedback. She is as funny as she is wise. The programs are a wise investment, and I can't recommend them and Alison enough!

I've worked with Alison over the past few month to prepare my Remote Nation Handbook proposal for submission to understandably skeptical commissioning editors. I wanted a knowledgeable industry insider who understood business book publishing from the publisher's perspective so I could build a credible proposal that I'd be proud to send. What I got was intelligence, wit and encouragement with plenty of direct, practical, no-nonsense feedback. Alison's advice and suggestions were helpful beyond measure. She kept me on track despite my very heavy work schedule. I was able to achieve my goal in just over a month! I'm so grateful to have her in my corner. She knows her stuff.

As a first-time business book author, I simply could not have asked for a better experience and outcome than working with Alison Jones and her team at Practical Inspiration Publishing. As an experienced business communicator, my expectations were high, and they were exceeded. From start to finish, Alison ensured there was a consistent commitment to quality and excellence from manuscript development to the book’s interior and exterior design to the delivery of books from the UK to Canada. I would not hesitate to recommend any author, at any level, to work with Alison and her team. A job well-done on Storytelling for Business: The Art and Science of Creating Connection in the Digital Age!

Working with Practical Inspiration elevated my whole approach to running my business. My first draft was a colossal spillage of flowery verbosity that would have entirely diminished my brand as a management consultant. Alison and team coached me to consider why I was writing the book and how doing so would help my business. I shudder to think how my business would have suffered had I released that initial draft prior to engaging Practical Inspiration. Thanks to our work together, I have a book that actually works for me to generate interest in my consulting and speaking.

A great introduction to the potential that exploratory writing has in the workplace: to help unlock problems; to find new ideas; to help teams communicate and collaborate; to find space to think.

(feedback from online workshop, Feb 2022)

Alison has designed a challenge that helped me take a vague idea of a book that has been floating around for a while, and turn it into a tangible proposal that moves me forward a massive leap in structure and confidence. Plus, it's some of the best value advice I've ever seen. Get in now before she realises and raises prices...

For anyone thinking of writing a business book, I cannot recommend Alison Jones and Practical Inspiration Publishing highly enough. For at least the past five years I have talked about writing a book, yet when it comes to writing I have a level of procrastination that regards eternity as too soon. I signed up to one of her writing book programmes. That helped me shape the structure for the book - which will be published in September 2022. Without the programme and follow up support, I still would still be 'talking' about the book as opposed to working on the final draft for publishing.

At the beginning of this year I had only the seeds of a book idea. Fast forward 3 months, and thanks to Alison’s wonderful coaching and the content of her 10 day book proposal challenge, I now have a concrete book proposal under my belt and feel confident to approach publishers.

Working with Alison and Practical Inspiration was an absolute pleasure. They help two virgin authors through each step of the process - from editing and proofing to printing and marketing. Alison and her team significantly added value at every step along the way. We were particularly drawn to Alison's business model, and also to her connection in the US as well as the UK, and we are certain that we made the right choice of publisher for our book.

- co-author of Active Operations Management: The playbook for service operations in the agile age (Practical Inspiration, 2021)

Having just completed Alison's 10 day Business Book Proposal Challenge, I highly recommend her course to anyone else contemplating writing a business book. I found the course hugely enjoyable and a rich creative and learning experience. I've made more progress in 2 weeks than I'd expected to make in 3 months - I now have a completed book proposal and business plan, and clarity on how I'm moving forward with these. Alison's expert guidance and personalised feedback has been invaluable and I now feel part of a community of fellow business book writers and writers-to-be.

- author of The Future of Time: How ‘re-working’ time can help you boost productivity, diversity and wellbeing (Practical Inspiration, 2022)

I’ve just completed Alison's business book challenge and what an inspiring, challenging and enjoyable 10 days. Expect to really dig into what this book you want to write is really about? Brain drain! You’ll get expert advice and positive feedback from Alison. She’s extraordinary. And you’ll finish with a fully formed proposal that’ll get you off to a cracking start - with or without a publisher.

- author of Lunchtime Learning for Leaders: 16 Ways to Grow Your Resilience and Influence (Kogan Page, 2021)

I cannot recommend [This Book Means Business] highly enough for anyone thinking of starting a business and developing an audience via long-form writing.

(TBMB is one of three set texts for the Brookes MA in Publishing Distance Learning course.)

Alison Jones packs what could otherwise be months and maybe years of soul-searching slog, sleepless nights and heartbreaking rejection into 10 days' worth of tasks, each broken down, carefully explained and properly assessed... I’d recommend the 10-day Business Book Proposal Challenge to anyone.

Alison's writing retreat has helped me to get super focused on the writing that needed to be done for a project I am currently working on. The pre-course and morning focus questions have really helped me to get crystal clear on what I am doing. There is always an encouraging response in the group and Alison's enthusiasm and interest jumps off the page... Highly recommended.

- author of Thriving Abroad: The definitive guide to professional and personal relocation success (Practical Inspiration, 2017)

Alison's mentorship has been key to taking my business to a new level. Her unique combination of encouragement and challenge, strong relational skills and super skills in writing, publishing and marketing have been exactly what I needed. When I contacted her, I was stuck with writing my book. If you'd told me three months ago that by now I would be on the verge of signing a publishing contract, I wouldn't have believed you. Alison has consistently understood where I'm at, and seen where I need to go next. Brilliant!

- author of Why Weren't We Taught This At School?: The surprisingly simple secret to transforming life’s challenges (Practical Inspiration, 2021)

Alison and her team are delightful to work with. They are experts in the art and business of publishing and writing business books inside out. Their knowledge of running a business provides outstanding added value and they are generous and professional with their advice.

- author of Leading Through Uncertainty: Emotional resilience and human connection in a performance-driven world (Practical Inspiration, 2018) and Opus: The hidden dynamics of team performance (Practical Inspiration, 2021)

I can't recommend this challenge highly enough. What better way to write a book proposal than with the advice of an incredibly experienced and knowledgeable publisher. Alison's honest and thorough feedback helped to clarify my thinking and has completely transformed my book proposal. If you are thinking of doing this challenge, I can only say that there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.

- author of Stresshacking: 50 simple strategies to get your life, your mind, and your mojo back (Practical Inspiration, 2020)

A incredible well-structured processes... It is rare to find an impromptu online community so positive, honest, and who has your best interest at heart. In my opinion this all down to Alison’s fantastic energy and leadership abilities...
Writing the proposal helped me understand why I want to write this book, where does it fit in the market, and what’s important to my reader. Had I not taken this challenge I would have written the wrong (unsellable) book. Thank you!

The Business Book Proposal Challenge is a valuable and rewarding experience. I have achieved and understood more about my book in 10 days working with Alison than I had done on my own in 18 months.

- author of The Forces of Collaborative Creativity: A Practical Guide to Creative Teamwork in the Healthcare Business (Practical Inspiration, 2020)

Alison chaired the morning of The London Book Fair's Quantum Conference 2019. She is the ultimate professional, delivering all that was asked and more, and in a friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable manner. Additionally, she led an in-person conversation on the day, around the rise of non-fiction in both books and TV, which was quality, informed and perfectly delivered.

I'm really happy I chose PIP as my publishing partner. The way you support your authors is outstanding; and I love the fact it doesn't stop when the book is published.... The book is a really professional product and your services have exceeded my expectations. I really could not have done it without you.

 - author of #Upcycle Your Job: The smart way to balance family life and career (Practical Inspiration, 2019)

If there are any doubts in anyone’s mind where to go with your publishing works, here is the place to be: they have been incredibly supportive and more than I could’ve hoped for when deciding to publish my book.

- author of Breakthrough Babies: An IVF pioneer's tale of creating life against all odds (Practical Inspiration, 2019)

I have really enjoyed the process of this programme [the 10-day Business Book Proposal Challenge]. It is wisely and intelligently structured. When someone REALLY knows their stuff, they cannot always share their knowledge effectively. This is not true of Alison Jones... Learning in this supportive community has really worked. I really feel like I can achieve my book goal. Alison has been my inspiration. Thank you.

‘Write book proposal‘ has been one of those goals that has moved with me year to year! Determined that this year it would be done, I was delighted to come across Alison’s book proposal challenge. Not only have I my book proposal just about complete but I have the confidence to keep going and get my book written. Alison guides you step by step during the challenge and makes the completion of the proposal manageable by assigning daily tasks. She provides clear direction and offers lots of support and guidance in helping you get the tasks done. She is very responsive in the group and answers all questions with the in-depth knowledge she has of the publishing industry. The information she has shared over the challenge has been invaluable and I would highly recommend this challenge to anyone considering it.

Alison's 10 Day Business Book Proposal Challenge is an exercise in going from "average" to "great". Before working with Alison, I knew that what I had just wasn't enough, but I didn't know why. But the last two weeks have blown my mind: now I have a book proposal that is built on a solid foundation. In addition, I've been able to position my arguments succinctly, target my audience with clarity, and provide the rigour, structure, and flow that I felt had been lacking before. It hasn't been easy, but it was thoroughly enjoyable and it has really stretched my mind... Alison is a maestro at pulling you back when you're drifting, getting you to say more with less, and giving you the courage to think on a higher plane, but with your feet firmly on the ground. It has been an absolute pleasure working with her.

Having read Alison Jones's book, I expected The 10-day Business Proposal Challenge to be pretty impressive, but I can honestly say I have been wowed. Alison has a special gift for balancing a personal, motivational approach with direct, expert challenge that cannot fail to support you in building a proposal document that you are proud of. This is one of the best development programmes I've completed, online or face-to-face... I can't recommend this programme highly enough though!

- author of People Not Paperclips: Putting the human back into Human Resources (Practical Inspiration, 2020)

Amazing what you can accomplish in 10 days, when you can be ‘thinking about writing a book’ for months or even years!

- author of Struggle: The surprising truth, beauty and opportunity hidden in life's sh*ttier moments (Practical Inspiration, 2021) 

My original goal in enrolling in Alison’s mentorship program was to stop procrastinating and get a book written this year, or else! I now also have the foundations of a new business, a better appreciation of its potential reach, and a means to deepen its content and offering and magnify its impact. 

Augmented by access to marketing and writing expertise, this is an ambitious,  “how to get it done” program for the business book-writing novice. It's a ‘think big’ approach executed, tutorial style, with you and your project at its core. Most importantly, it works.

After 6 months working with Alison, I’ve completed a manuscript and am looking forward to publication. I wouldn’t be here without her help, wisdom and support. Alison understands better than anyone how to write and position a book that fits into your business and helps it grow. Highly recommended.

- author of PR for Humans: How business leaders tell powerful stories (Practical Inspiration, 2019)

I’d been procrastinating on my book proposal for several months when I signed up for the 10-day challenge. I’ll be honest - I wasn’t hopeful. How could ten days of remote accountability via Facebook get me to the finish line? I could not have been more wrong. The Challenge is about so much more than accountability - although that helps too. Alison’s daily videos are packed with useful tips and prompts; her daily FB Live catch up is a great added bonus and her feedback as you go through the process is absolutely invaluable. I can’t believe that in just ten days I have finished my book proposal! This is a brilliantly structured, well paced and thoughtful challenge and if you’re intending to write a business book, I have only one question for you: why haven’t you signed up already?

I have recently completed Alison's 10-day business book proposal challenge and I cannot recommend it highly enough to others embarking on a book writing project. Alison takes her potential authors through a series of steps that are both testing and enlightening. My book now has shape and purpose and I am much clearer about how it will contribute to my business. On a personal note, Alison is a joy to work with. She is encouraging and shares her wisdom and experience generously. She doesn't shy away from giving tough feedback, but is always supportive, warm and encouraging. I am looking forward to continuing to work with her on my book.

Wow! What a powerful process!
I can't thank you enough for creating such a safe, supportive and incredibly valuable space within this challenge for us to grow and explore our precious creations.
You share your knowledge and expertise so openly and with such genuine love and care. No question is too much and I can't tell you how grateful I am for that.
I'm finding the challenge beyond valuable in so many ways - it's bringing deeper clarity and renewed passion not just for my book but for my vision for my business as a whole as well... Thanks to you my dream is taking shape and feeling very real and tangible... no words are enough really.

I've done plenty of professional writing, but creating a business book that works is a whole other challenge. I read this terrific book in one sitting, and it's sending me straight back to my own manuscript with ideas to move it forwards, improve it and get unstuck in difficult places. I'll be keeping it by my desk to return to again and again.
Alison Jones combines her decades of experience in bringing business books to life with compelling stories from writers and publishers. It's full of practical, usable advice as well as well-framed questions. She has a beautifully judged light yet knowledgeable style.
I'd highly recommend it for anyone who wants to frame and present their own specialist professional knowledge in book form. 

I have recently published a book with Alison's company, and cannot say enough about how good it has been to work with her and her team. Their professionalism and attention to detail are evident from the first points of contact right through to the delivery of the finished product. Every member of the team is highly skilled, cheerful, and prompt. They are absolutely top-notch.

- author of Advice That Sticks: How to give financial advice that people will follow (Practical Inspiration, 2018)

The 10-day business book proposal challenge was just the momentum I needed to turn "I'm thinking about writing a book" into "hell yes, I am passionate and committed to writing this particular book". With Alison's encouragement and publishing insights my loose ideas were sharpened, pruned and organised. I now have a proposal and a clear table of contents I can use to schedule my writing efforts. The camaraderie and feedback from others in the group was valuable. If you think you have a book brewing but are not sure if you can write one, or whether your effort will be repaid in business results, find out in just 10 days.

- author of The Resilience Club: Daily success habits of long-term high performers (ReThink Press, 2019)

Alison has discovered how to shift a would-be author’s desire to write a book from an idea to a multi-page proposal in ten easy days. Each day’s exercise fills in another piece of the puzzle until on day 10 you feel as though you have the book in your hands. It’s an honor to have had the support of someone so masterful in the business of book publishing.

If you have even the vaguest inkling that you have a book in you, one that will boost your business, do this challenge! It is SO much more than just writing a book proposal. It forces you to clarify your entire business model and reconsider how you can use all-important content to boost it. All in a supportive, highly collaborative environment. Alison is there, every step of the way, with constant encouragement and clear exercises guiding you through, with her unwavering warmth, generosity, good humour and brilliant expert insight and feedback. Thoroughly recommend!

All the stars aligned when I discovered the 10-day Business Book Proposal Challenge - January 2018 by accident just before it was due to start. Like so many people I had been thinking about writing a book but really had no idea what I was proposing. Yet here I am a mere 10 working days later and I have learnt so much. Alison is a delightful lead and knows so much. Her style is supportive but challenging and I'd recommend this to anyone. Ive really enjoyed myself but not worked so hard in ages.

Want to write a business book, but don’t know where to start? Want to develop an effective book proposal which creates impact and delivers results? Want to find a credible, informed and supportive publishing partner to guide you through the process and introduce you to a dynamic group like-minded authors? Then take the 10 Day Business Book Proposal Challenge with Alison Jones, who will help you to refine your thinking, develop a working plan and take positive action. Challenging and rewarding in equal measure. Thank you.

Alison and her colleagues have just completed the publication of my second book, The Team Coaching Toolkit. My first book was managed by a traditional publishing house, and I have to say this was a significant improvement. Not only was I kept informed and engaged throughout the process, but the book was delivered as promised in half the time! I am delighted with the look and feel of the finished product and have no hesitation in recommending Alison to other authors.

Alison gave an entertaining and inspiring talk to my Women in Business West Kent group recently. Everyone in the room really engaged with her talk and we all came away highly enthusiastic about writing a book and knowing that it can really help to build our businesses. She gave us lots of tips on what we need to do before we start and how to use a book strategically so it is part of our business and not merely an adjunct.  She brought several examples of the books she has published across a wide range of business topics. They were all very professionally printed and very impressive.
If you need a publisher or someone to speak about publishing then I highly recommend Alison.

I was so thrilled with what I achieved on Alison's 10-day proposal challenge, I just had to sign up for the bootcamp. And it absolutely delivered! My proposal sparked the interest of several agents, so I started working on sample chapters and talking to agents while on the bootcamp.... The group is amazing. I really felt I was part of a dynamic community of supportive professionals - they kept me inspired and helped me raise my game. If you're thinking about it - just do it - I promise you won't regret it.

[The 10-day Business Book Proposal Challenge] is more than a challenge. Sure it DOES challenge you, in a really positive and motivating way, but it does more than that. It offers new connections, new friends, new conversations, new ideas and renewed vision. I cannot say enough about how valuable this experience is, not only because Alison gives you thorough and expert feedback on every aspect of your proposal but also because you will come out the other side of this journey exhausted, happy, satisfied and with a major achievement that you hadn't even dreamed of ten days before.

Armed with a book proposal and with interest from a potential publisher, I had one question: how do I get this thing written? Alison’s This Book Means Business bootcamp is a very sane, practical answer to that. It has already been hugely valuable and I know I’m going to continue to use it.

Alison takes you step-by-step through the mental and practical processes between idea and getting your book written. A six-week spin through it will get you much, much further, but it has material to keep you going well beyond the main bootcamp period. It’s very practical and no-nonsense, but also recognises all the emotional demands of producing a book. The scope goes well beyond the short and easy-to-watch videos, from inner resistance to cover design to marketing text. It’s well worth it for anyone who’s serious about getting their book written and making a difference to their business.

Alison is a fantastic interviewer – she gets to what she knows people want to hear/read through brilliant questions, never aggressive ones, demonstrating the thoroughness of her research. I have been interviewed many times and by many people – Alison is the best.

If you want to get clarity, focus, inspiration, support, challenge, encouragement, experience, knowledge and tangible results with your writing, contact Alison! As a book coach she's head and shoulders above the rest, maintaining the perfect balance between being a terrific coach, a wise mentor and a skilled consultant. I've personally benefited so much from working with her.

Alison unravelled the mysteries of publishing for me and guided me through some of the trickier aspects, from dealing with potential foreword writers to finding publicists. No question was too small or too silly for her to answer! Partner publishing with Alison has resulted in an extremely professional-looking book. I am so pleased with the cover and the look and feel of the whole book. Alison had lots of advice on typesetting and copy-editing and was able to put me in touch with a specialist book PR agent to promote it. It was a thoroughly enjoyable process from first word to celebratory glass of champagne at the launch!t

All our concerns about the publishing process for EastLife were addressed with professional rigour and extensive knowledge. Alison led us through each step, offering clarity and making us aware of all our options and related costs during the early stages of our decision making. We found guidance and insight every time we were in touch with her, and her professional knowledge and range of publishing expertise meant that we had one-stop solutions to any issues that arose. Alison is rigorous and thorough in her editorial and production work, committed to deadlines, and has a personal touch that meant we felt at ease and in good hands throughout the whole process. I couldn't recommend her more highly.  

You've really made me think differently about how to align the actitivies that already take place in my business to my larger goals, which is revolutionary for me.

Writing a very personal book with a meaningful message is an important and large undertaking not to be taken lightly. Whilst the process can be rewarding, it can also be excruciating; there is a reason that people liken writing and publishing a book to birthing. Alison is a formidable book doula. I would not have been able to get this book out without her and more than that, she made the process fun. I look forward to birthing many more books in partnership with her. I cannot recommend working with Alison highly enough. She is professional and personable and more than that, she cares as much as you do about the message you have to share.

Taking the Expert Author Programme has made a huge difference to my ability to get my book off the ground. This work has been bubbling inside me for years but only with Alison's help has it become a reality. She has inspired, supported and challenged me alternately! I am really enjoying the process of writing and feeling much more confident in the result. I am profoundly grateful as this book has great personal meaning as well as being important to my business.

Alison helped me to clarify the purpose and positioning of my proposed book. The positioning had been problem for a number of years so it's time and money well spent. She knows her subject and has a laser brain. So, if you want to get started - or even write your book - she's a real find and great value.

The combination of deep publishing knowledge and expert coaching that Alison offers makes her a uniquely valuable partner. She has already been a tremendous help to our publishing organization. Her individual coaching sessions have empowered staff and helped them identify and implement priorities. Meanwhile, her insightful consultancy has been especially useful in honing our digital strategy.

I joined TEA as I thought it would be a fabulous opportunity to gain some professional direction. I had been wanting to write 'my story' for a little while and joining TEA has given me the confidence and assurance that even I have a story worth reading. This has been a huge leap of faith yet I have enjoyed every minute of it... The one to one sessions were the most valuable part of TEA for me, Alison is a natural coach, her questions were utterly challenging and the direction has really shaped my book so far.

I loved The Expert Author programme. It gave me the right amount of information to enable me to structure my book properly and to understand what is involved in publishing and promoting a new book. The daily emails were inspiring and kept me on track, and Alison was so supportive and encouraging throughout. I am so happy that my dream of publishing my first book is actually becoming a reality!

Alison’s style and coaching personality suits me perfectly.  Eighteen months down the self-employed road, I needed focus, direction and a little inspirational nudge to take my business forward.

We set clear goals and agreed some bite-sized chunks of activity and with renewed confidence and regular, thorough reviews during our sessions, I now plan, structure, assess and measure my own business strategy at a greater pace and with greater commitment.   I have gained clarity, perspective and belief in my role as a small business owner since our sessions began.

Alison’s coaching technique is relaxed yet persuasive and I felt completely at ease discussing those elements of my working life that needed the most fine-tuning. 

As a marketer who has worked with coaches previously, it was refreshing to gain tangible benefits from our sessions at the earliest opportunity.  Alison has a canny knack of steering the session towards the heart of the problem with sensitivity and aplomb and then driving me forward to some really impactful actions.

I now have a greater confidence in my own plans, a clearer vision of what they are, how I should achieve them and how I should continue to develop them.  Alison has given me some simple and effective tools to get me to where I want to be. 

Alison is a great coach. Full of positive energy, she really helps to lift my own energy levels and enthusiasm. She is fantastic at helping you to see the bigger picture, and really focus on the specifics of HOW are you going to achieve something. I found this really helpful because it released creativity and generated fresh ideas for me that I might not have come up with otherwise. I would highly recommend Alison. She really knows content marketing and I feel I have learned so much in a very short space of time.

Alison is an enormously driven, dynamic and meticulous professional. She recently designed and delivered an excellent workshop on content marketing for small businesses for me in Cornwall, as an associate at www.wearethread.com. 
As an enormously experienced publisher and digital marketeer, Alison brings highly relevant examples to her training, and is a pleasure to work with.