Author Case Study

One school leader turned years of expertise into a book that continues to build credibility, reach new audiences, and serve her professional community.

Brooke Carroll didn't set out to become an author. She set out to solve a problem she’d encountered throughout her career: small independent schools needed better, more accessible guidance on governance.

After serving as the head of Seneca Academy, a school serving about 150 students, Brooke had launched Acies Strategies, a consulting and coaching practice focused on strengthening small-school leadership.

She began considering whether a book might be a better way to get her expertise into the hands of those who needed it.

From Course Content to a Book

Early in the planning process, Brooke learned about the Bold Story Press publishing webinar. She attended and got her first introduction to hybrid publishing.

With a better understanding of how a hybrid publisher could help her bring her book to market, Brooke had the push she needed to begin writing. Soon after, she joined a writing group.

“It was being in that group that really was the kick in the pants that I needed," said Brooke. She got to work using her existing course materials as the basis of an outline.

“The writing was organizing the content,” she said. Like many professionals who decide to write books in their fields, Brooke already had a wealth of material to draw from: course content, workshops, and presentations.

A Supportive Publishing Partnership

When her manuscript was complete, Brooke turned to Bold Story Press. She shared the manuscript with Emily Barrosse and was paired with a developmental editor who worked closely with her to shape and strengthen the book.

“Once I got into the process, it was really quite easy and supportive and helpful,” Brooke said. “I never looked back.”

Brooke worked closely with her developmental editor to fine-tune the manuscript and with the design team to develop the book’s cover. She appreciated both the professional guidance and the significant input she had throughout the process.

“I felt very supported.”

A Book That Continues to Work

✔ Expanded reach: Brooke accomplished her goal of putting the expertise that had once lived only in her online course into the hands of a much wider audience. The book has traveled from board to board and school to school through word of mouth. Today, Brooke sometimes meets people who have already read or heard of her book, something she never imagined when she first sat down to write it.

✔ Greater credibility: “I now know, looking back, it absolutely has provided credibility.”

✔ Ongoing impact: Governing the Small School: Strategies for Boards has become a resource for the schools Brooke serves. And because school trustees regularly turn over, schools continue purchasing copies for new board members.

Brooke's Advice to First-Time Authors

Her advice is simple: schedule the writing.

Brooke advises authors to understand their own working style, create accountability if needed, and put writing time on the calendar. Even on days when she didn’t feel like writing, she sat down at her desk at the scheduled time, even if she produced only a few short paragraphs.

Brooke also recommends that authors get clear about who they’re writing for and why their book matters. Bold Story Press encouraged her to answer those questions early in the process, and Brooke credits that exercise with giving her the clarity and focus she needed to complete the book.

“I recommend Bold Story Press to everyone that I talk to who's considering writing a book,” Brooke said. What began as a way to make her expertise more accessible became something more: a book that strengthens Brooke’s professional credibility, reaches people her course didn’t, and continues to serve the small-school community she wrote it for.

What Partnership Looks Like at Bold Story Press

Brooke’s experience reflects the way we approach every book: experienced guidance, close collaboration, and an author who remains an active part of the process. From editorial development and design through production and launch, our job is to bring publishing expertise to the table while helping each author create a book that is truly their own. To learn more, sign up for one of our webinars or schedule a publishing consultation.