Words matter and my guest this week is an accomplished author and ghostwriter with over 100 books to her name - averaging around one book a month! Rhiannon D’Averc shares her writing process, her experience ghostwriting in various voices, and the importance of detailed outlines. Many leaders are charged with translating complex ideas into compelling narratives and Rhiannon’s insights into how she organises her research and removing roadblocks are not just applicable to writing but to any leadership role: it's all about efficiency and clarity. We also talk about how Rhiannon embodies a client's voice through interviews and written materials and discuss some of the challenges of editing and finally publishing a book. All of which is extremely top of mind for me as I prepare to launch Olympus Bound!
Do the work and unleash your inner leadership author
Why you should listen: a leadership process for getting the words down
Remove the roadblocks and make time to explore your leadership ideas
We explore getting creative with leadership communication
Research and revise to hone your leadership message
Reflect on your leadership journey and find the stories
Data plus lived experience is a powerful leadership combination
Take action
Find the stories that illustrate your idea
Remove the roadblocks to writing
Tip of the week
An excerpt from Olympus Bound that highlights deep focus, mastering new skills and continuous curiosity. Join Zoë for a virtual book launch celebration or come along in person - details and registration here
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About Rhiannon D'Averc
Rhiannon D'Averc is an author and ghostwriter working in fiction and non-fiction. She can help coaches get more clients and speaking gigs or record your legacy in a memoir. She is also available as a writing coach, for live readings, speaking engagements, and workshops on any and all topics to do with writing and publishing. As of January 2024, Rhiannon has had 100 books published under her own name and under others.
Rhiannon lives in East Sussex, UK, with her husband and son and is probably squirrelled away as you read this in her home office, hunched over a keyboard amidst crafting supplies and towering piles of books. Find out more: https://rhiannondaverc.co.uk/
Key moments
Planet Human: Discussion about the Australian Research Council's investment in space agriculture and its relevance to future space exploration.
Planet Zoë: Back from an epic adventure on the Australian Alpine walking trail and focused on the upcoming launch of Olympus Bound.
Getting Started as an Author and Ghostwriter (00:05:32) Rhiannon D’Averc’s journey into writing and ghostwriting, and her prolific output of over 100 published books.
Writing Process (00:07:08) Insights into Rhiannon's streamlined writing process and her approach to removing roadblocks.
Ghostwriting Process (00:08:34) Discussion of the process of getting into someone else's head and embodying their voice in ghostwriting.
Managing Ego as a Ghostwriter (00:10:01) Rhiannon's perspective on dialling down her ego as a ghostwriter and dealing with edits.
Capturing Ideas of Future Experts (00:11:32) Exploration of capturing future-oriented ideas, including using sci-fi as a medium to reach wider audiences.
Marketing Efforts and Impact (00:17:07) Rhiannon’s marketing efforts for her own books and the challenges of balancing writing and marketing.
The importance of innovative messaging (00:20:21) Discussion on using science fiction for broader audience reach and interesting ideas and perspectives worked with different clients.
Exploring future technology in finance (00:21:01) Working with a financial expert on future finance vision, linking it to technology, and discussing the future of social media.
Social media and blockchain technology (00:22:00) Exploring decentralised social media through blockchain technology and its implications.
Cherry-picking stories for nonfiction books (00:24:04) Helping authors select stories to bring their ideas to life and the significance of storytelling in nonfiction books.
Insights about people and leadership (00:26:17) Rhiannon's observations about human nature and leadership, emphasising shared experiences and fallibility.
The fast five with Rhiannon (00:27:30) A series of quick questions covering future technology, leadership tips, workplace issues, political leadership, and favourite leadership book.
Writing and editing process for books (00:33:16) Discussion on the phases and timeline of writing a book, including the research, interview, writing, and editing phases.
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About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.