Writing for fun and publication

My latest book is Write to Govern: How to write effective board papers, and you can buy it here for AUD 34.95 with AUD 10 postage for one book.

What readers are saying

Boardroom expert Julie Garland McLellan: ‘I reviewed the first edition of this book and loved it. Now it is back in a much improved new version with thoughtful additions such as an up to date focus on electronic papers and the use of board portals.

‘The book is practical, authoritative and (of course) well written. It is a ‘must read’ for senior executives who want to improve their standing with the board and a ‘must have’ for any board that wants to increase its satisfaction with the written reports and papers that plague its meetings.

This book will make the lives of directors easier and improve their governance by enabling reporting to add value to decision-making.’

Amazon review

A definitive guide to writing board papers

‘If like me you are required to write board papers and have never had formal training, then this is the book for you.

‘From the minutiae of when to capitalise or use colons, to the standard principles, format and structures required for good papers. This book has it all.

‘A lighthouse in the fog of confusion.

Thank you!’

Outline of the book

The first section covers the board’s role and looks at conventions for noting and decision papers. It also includes advice on templates.

The second section covers every aspect of the writing process – planning, writing and proofreading – and includes chapters on visuals (graphs and tables) and PowerPoint.

Part 1: Board paper conventions

Chapter 1: The board’s role
Chapter 2: Qualities of effective board papers
Chapter 3: Templates
Chapter 4: Using your template
Chapter 5: Noting papers
Chapter 6: Decision papers

Part 2: The writing process

Chapter 7: Think first
Chapter 8: Structure your paper
Chapter 9: Use paragraphs and lists
Chapter 10: Write clear sentences
Chapter 11: Using PowerPoint well
Chapter 12: Using visuals well
Chapter 13: Review and edit

Click here to buy.

Other writing

I’ve been writing on and off for years when time and energy permits.

I’ve had two school readers published and two children’s stories on radio. Listen to The Recycler and The Tablecloth Dress.

When I moved from New Zealand to Australia, I needed to learn how to market myself, so I wrote two marketing books that were published by Allen & Unwin (Promote Your Business and Talk Up Your Business).