Book Coach in Butler, Get to Know Shawndra Holmberg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawndra Holmberg, a book coach, here in Butler, PA. Co-working spaces, no matter where they’re located in the world, are only as good as their members. We know how important it is to bring people together and share their awesomeness. That’s why we like to do these Get to Know Our Members posts. We get to know each of our members and appreciate the awesomeness they bring to the table. And you get to know them too!

Get to know Shawndra

We had a chance to sit down with Shawndra, Book Coach and owner of HYH Book Coach, and ask the classic get-to-know-you questions. Members are the backbone of a coworking community and we love the opportunity to spotlight them. ConnectWork on Main has a variety of occupations and specialties among its members. You can check out her answers below.

What is your occupation? Book coach

Book Coach – helping writers write, authors publish, and introverts market.

What made you want to get involved in this line of work?

I had self-published two books so a friend connected me with a well-known individual in the organizing and productivity world who had questions about self-publishing. I spent an hour or so verbally vomiting (it’s what I call sharing a lot of details) EVERYTHING I knew about publishing on Amazon. The next year when her book was published, she called to talk about marketing the book. Again, I shared everything I knew.

It was then that she told me: 1) I should start a business helping other authors, 2) I should call it Hold Your Hand since I had held her hand through the process, and 3) I should submit a proposal to speak at the NAPO (napo.net) conference the next year. I did all three things she told me to and here I am with HYH Book Coach offering author services. Helping writers write, authors publish, and introverts market.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work as a book coach?

Writers holding their published book in their hands. They had the dream of having their book idea published. I helped them make it a reality.

What is the biggest challenge that you have faced in business and how did you overcome it?

Marketing! Marketing my business and helping authors to market their books. I'm an introvert and marketing was a four-letter word to me. Which is why I started calling the process CONNECTING rather than marketing. You need to connect with the readers who need your message. They need what you've written. Now, let's figure out how to connect with your readers in a way that aligns with your preferences (with a nudge out of your comfort zone now and then).

What business tips would you like to share with others?

Time: ensure you take time to practice your craft and your passion

Space: create a better space and environment for your creativity

Information: handle the information that comes into your life

External Support: ask for what you need so you can write

Internal Support: develop a mindset that keeps you moving forward

What has been your favorite part about working at ConnectWork on Main?

The ideas that have come from talking with others who are passionate about what they do. Working alone limits my vision of what could be. But sharing ideas and possibilities with the others here has expanded the opportunities I'm willing to grab.

What inspires you?

New things. Or you could call it curiosity. I want to know and learn and experience things, places, people, and ideas that I haven't before — new things! 😉

What do you do in your spare/free/extra time?

Right now my free time is filled with home remodeling projects (2 bathrooms and a kitchen done!! One last bedroom & flooring to go). But come 2024 – we will be traveling (and writing my own books). The wonder of working remotely with authors is that I can do it from anywhere and I plan to do it in interesting locales.