The Book Is Happening, Albeit Slowly

My book pitch is now sitting with my book coach, Andrew Griffiths.

Andrew is an entrepreneurial futurist, global speaker, business mentor and bestselling author. More importantly to me, he is someone I have known and trusted for more than 20 years.

I first met Andrew in Cairns and have attended many of his workshops since then (pictured graduating from his Building a Speaker's Business). I adore the man. He adores books, wombats, his partner, Tasmania and helping other people succeed.

What’s not to love about that?

Taking the pitch to publishers

After publishing 15 books, with his work reaching readers around the world, Andrew has developed strong relationships across the publishing industry.

He is now putting my pitch in front of the publishers he believes are most likely to be interested in a manuscript grounded in my PhD research into psychoeducation and bibliotherapy.

That sentence feels rather exciting to write.

Andrew has also warned me that traditional publishing is rarely quick. Securing a publishing agreement can take time, and the journey from acceptance to a book appearing on shelves may take two years.

The alternatives include self-publishing and hybrid publishing. Each pathway offers different benefits, responsibilities, costs and timeframes.

One of the possibilities I am exploring is launching the book in Rome as part of a proposed Churchill Fellowship journey. If that opportunity proceeds, the timing may help determine which publishing pathway is most compatible with the broader vision.

Andrew is the publishing expert, so I will be listening carefully to his guidance while remaining open to the pathway that best serves the book and its future readers.

When does Megan become Dr Bayliss?

Although my PhD has been completed and awarded, I will not use the title Dr Bayliss until the degree has been formally conferred.

That will happen at my graduation in Nhulunbuy on 26 November 2026.

The ceremony will be livestreamed at 5 pm ACST through the Charles Darwin University East Arnhem Facebook page. If you would like to share the occasion with me, please follow the page and tune in.

It has been a long journey, and it will mean a great deal to celebrate it in the community I call home.

Coach Bayliss is back on Facebook

While you are visiting Facebook, you might also like to follow my Coach Bayliss business page.

I neglected the page during the three years of my PhD. Something had to give, and social media was one of those things. I am now bringing it back to life with reflections on books, bibliotherapy, supervision, professional practice and the ordinary experiences that help us understand ourselves differently.

If those conversations interest you, the page would appreciate a little love.

And there is another book taking shape

While the first book makes its way through the publishing process, I have begun writing the next one.

This book will explore SHELF-Care supervision.

The idea has grown from conversations with social workers and allied health professionals who come to me for supervision. Many have asked for a practical way to use SHELF-Care within their own supervision practice.

Those requests have stayed with me.

So, yes, the first book is happening, albeit slowly. At the same time, another book is beginning to find its shape.

Writing, research and publishing all ask for patience. Fortunately, they also give us something worthwhile to anticipate.

What meaningful project is asking you to be patient at the moment?

👵🎓 Megan Bayliss
Social work supervisor | Bibliotherapy researcher | Creator of SHELF-Care

I provide online professional supervision to social workers and allied health professionals across Australia. Book a professional supervision session here.