Case Study - Dr. Gertrude Nonterah, PH.D.
How Dr. Gertrude Nonterah Wrote Her Book in 4 Months—While Working Full-Time
The Challenge
Professional Writer,
Podcast Host and
Speaker, But No Book
Dr. Gertrude Nonterah (”Gee”) came to me with a familiar problem: years of professional writing experience, a growing platform with The Bold PhD, and regular speaking engagements, but no book. Despite her proven ability to create compelling content for social media and essays, the book remained stuck on the horizon, always intended but never realized.
After a decade of saying “I should,” Gee wrote her book in 4 months. Here's how.
“I wanted my book to
be quality. And when
I thought of quality,
I thought of Josh.”
-Gertrude Nonterah, Medical Communications Professional, Podcaster, and Author of “Navigating the P.I.V.O.T.”
A Dream Deferred
Years of intention without execution – After every interview, every video, every speaking invitation, Gee thought, “I should write a book.” But she never did.
Professional writing skills that didn't translate to book-length work – The unique demands of a book—sustained focus, structural symmetry, consistent voice—remained elusive despite Gee’s writing expertise.
The full-time work barrier – Managing career and family responsibilities left Gee with no bandwidth to maintain the focus and momentum a book requires.
Unclear pathway from concept to completion – Gee knew what needed to be said, but she had no framework to turn scattered ideas into a clear map to follow.
The gap wasn't talent or expertise. It was structure, accountability, and expert feedback.
Before committing
to our partnership,
we asked:
✓ Could a structured timeline transform years of intention into four months of execution?
✓ Would weekly accountability and expert feedback be enough to sustain momentum alongside full-time work?
✓ Could a book coach with elite publishing credentials provide the clarity that generic templates, workshops, and on-demand courses couldn't?
Our Strategic Approach
No Tricks, No Gimmicks,
Not One Word from AI
1. A Three-Ingredient Recipe
We focused on three essential elements:
Structure – Month 1 dedicated to comprehensive mapping before a single draft word was written.
Accountability – Weekly review cycles with clear deadlines that maintained momentum despite full-time work demands.
Craft – Expert feedback from a writer with 300+ publications in elite venues.
How We did it...
Rather than relying on generic templates or AI, we created a custom plan tailored to Gee's target audience: academics pivoting to industry. Our structure provided clarity on what to write and when. Our accountability ensured consistent progress. My craft expertise elevated good writing to publication-ready prose.
2. Phased Execution Model
Years of dreaming. Four months to publication.
-
Month 1: Mapping
✓ Complete book architecture developed before drafting began.
✓ Audience clarity established from the outset.
✓ Chapter-by-chapter roadmap eliminating the "what do I write next?" paralysis.
-
Months 2-4: Draft + Review Cycle
✓ Weekly installments with turnaround feedback.
✓ Clear revision guides maintaining focus and quality.
✓ Consistent voice development across the entire manuscript.
✓ Regular check-ins ensuring alignment with intended audience.
3. Expert Stand-In Reader System
We positioned the coaching relationship not as instruction but as representation:
Audience proxy: Weekly feedback from someone who could reliably stand in for the readers Gee most wanted to reach.
Commitment to excellence: Consistent push to "aim high" rather than settling for good enough.
Clarity and concision: Real-time assessment of whether the writing spoke clearly, concisely, and meaningfully to its intended audience.
The literary edge: Expertise that ensured the book met professional standards, not just self-publishing minimums.
From Idea to Manuscript, I Help
You Actually Finish the Book
You’ve Been Dreaming About
The Results
✓ Complete manuscript delivered in four months
✓ Book published and available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent retailers
✓ Professional-grade prose that matched elite editorial standards
Plus
+ Clear, audience-focused messaging for PhDs and academics
+ Structured P.I.V.O.T. framework ready for keynote talks and workshops
+ Strategic networking tool: a book to carry to every speaking engagement
+ Practical guide with tested strategies from 100+ PhD interviews integrated seamlessly
+ A decade of "I should write a book" transformed into "Here's my book" in just 16 weeks
Even experienced professional
writers benefit from external
accountability and expert feedback.
Gee’s book now serves as both a comprehensive resource for her audience and a powerful authority-building tool that amplifies her platform beyond podcasts and speaking engagements.
With this foundation, Gee can leverage her book for expanded speaking opportunities, develop complementary digital resources, establish herself as the definitive voice on PhD career transitions, and continue building The Bold PhD into a multi-platform resource—all while maintaining the authentic voice and practical focus that define her unique approach.
Stop Staring at
a Blank Page.
I Guide You
from First Idea
to Final Draft.
As a book coach, I can help you:
✓ Locate the core of the story you want to tell.
✓ Design a plan to guide you through your first draft.
✓ Define and reach your ideal audience more effectively.
✓ Sharpen your writing with advanced tools, such as defamiliarization, extended metaphor, and lyricism.
✓ Craft a persuasive query letter for agents or a proposal for small presses.