I write books for founders, owners,
companies and family businesses

Turn your life’s work into a book worth reading 

Learn more about how we can work together to tell your story

A well-lived life deserves a well-written book

Company histories and founder stories

Topics to cover in your book might include:

  • The people who started the company.
  • The team that took it to the next level.
  • The deals that defined it.
  • The decisions that nearly broke it.
  • What it felt like to work there.
  • Why the company is still here and what’s next. 

Memoirs, autobiographies and life stories

An opportunity for you (or a loved one) to reflect on:

  • The people who shaped you.
  • The choices that changed everything.
  • The years that mattered most.
  • The lessons learned the hard way.
  • What you’d want your kids or grandkids to know.
  • The story only you can tell.
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Not sure how or where to start?

You’re not alone. The people who work with me have usually been thinking about it for years and have the same questions:

Is my story worth telling?

Who wants to hear my story?

How will I find the time to write a book?

I can help you answer these, and any other questions you might have.

Almost everyone who hires me has been told, more than once — “You should write a book” — and has resisted.
Partly because they don’t want a book about themselves.
Partly because they’re worried about the cringe factor.
Partly because they don’t trust someone else to do it properly.

Some have tried other writers and parted ways.
Others have started writing it themselves but got stuck.
Most are waiting for the right moment. 

If any of that sounds familiar, we should talk.
No pitch, no pressure, just a conversation about the book you think you could write, who it’s for, and whether I’m the right person to write it with you.

Let's talk

Finding the story

Don’t stress if you don’t know what kind of book you want. Part of my job is helping you find your story and then figuring out the best way to tell it.

Over a series of conversations, I translate your experiences, expertise and ideas into a book that helps you, and those closest to you, make sense of it all. A book that celebrates the journey you’ve been on.

If necessary, I’ll also talk to the people around you who played their part: family, long-serving team members and senior management, mentors and clients.

Together, we chat about:

  • The big decisions and major turning points.
  • The sacrifices. The successes. The scars.
  • The mistakes you’ve made and lessons learned.
  • The values that have guided you.
  • The legacy you want to leave behind.

A legacy that your team, your family and future generations will thank you for.

I don’t just write your story with you.
I help you discover it.  

What I bring to the table

Good things take time

A serious book takes time, anywhere from four to twelve months from the first conversation to the final page. Most of that time is mine, not yours. I do the research, listening and writing. You show up for the conversations. The result is a book worth reading.

20+ years of writing experience

I spent 15 years as an award-winning journalist before I wrote my first book in 2016. I’ve interviewed people like Graham Henry, Jonah Lomu, Valerie Adams and Lisa Carrington and written for ESPN.com, The Red Bulletin (Red Bull’s global magazine), and most of NZ’s leading newspapers and magazines.  

Written with you, not for you

It’s your story told in your voice. My job is to help you start and finish the book you’ve always wanted to write. I only take on four to five projects a year so you get my full attention and the book gets the time it deserves. 

Distance isn't a barrier

The work doesn’t change if you’re in Dublin, Dunedin or Darwin. I’ve written books for clients in New Zealand, Ireland and Australia. We can do most of the work via Zoom or Teams and if the work calls for it I can jump on a plane.

“I’ve always believed that it’s a good thing for people to record what’s happening in their lives, no matter what stage they’re at. It doesn’t matter what kind of life you lead, telling your story is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself and for future generations.”

– Tony Quinn

“When I go, the book will be left behind and my family can show it to other people and say, ‘That was my grandpa.’ So many people told me how much they enjoyed reading it and how it exceeded their expectations. They didn’t think I was capable of writing a book like this.”

– Ray Urlich

Some of the book projects I’ve collaborated with clients on include:

Ion Man: The Life & Adventures of Bill Buckley The incredible story of a New Zealand business and technology icon.

Zero to 60 and Beyond The rags to riches tale of Tony Quinn, a self-made businessman and motorsport legend. 

Highlands: If You Build It, They Will Come A coffee-table style book to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of a tourism and recreation business.

A company history for a purpose-led entrepreneur to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the security/technology company he built.

Current projects include a life story for a successful Irish entrepreneur and a company history to celebrate the 60th anniversary of an iconic New Zealand company and its founder.

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In Zero to 60 and Beyond, Tony Quinn shares some of the secrets to his success in business and his philosophy on what makes for a good life.
He also reflects on the horrific car crash that left him fighting for his life. Here’s an excerpt from the book I wrote with Tony:

“The accident highlighted the fact I’m getting old and Mother Nature is going to beat me. Mother Nature beats all of us. She always wins and we’re fighting a losing battle.

I still think I’m young until I look in the mirror. Despite the fact that my body is failing me and my hair is receding at a rate of knots, I still think that I can achieve things, go places and live a full and interesting life.

The reality is I can’t do what I used to do and it’s annoying. It’s frustrating for everybody my age. I might have the time and money to go and do things that I want to do, but I have to listen to my body. I have to watch what I eat and try to do some exercise while all the time I’m losing my balance and my eyesight is going and different parts of my body hurt at different times. Most of all, I’m annoyed that it’s all coming to an end.

I’ve no regrets, but then most people don’t. If you ask people what they would change if they could live their life all over again, most people — even if they’ve had a shite life and clearly haven’t played their cards well — will tell you they wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve heard people say that and thought to myself, ‘F**k me. I’d change a lot if I were you!’

I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing. For someone who started out with nothing, I’ve had a great life. It would be greedy of me to say it could have been better.

I’ve had my share of bad days. Everybody has, but it’s how you cope with the bad days that’s important.”