Testimonials

‘Prior to turning 70, I penned a 50,000-word manuscript reflecting my professional life as a psychologist, nurse and marriage celebrant. After tentatively googling editors and publishers, I was falling into rabbit holes and was ready to shelve the idea. By chance, a neighbour told me about Bev Ryan, and I made the call. From that first conversation, I felt safe and I felt heard.

Bev and her team expertly supported me to self-publish ‘Shelter from the Storm’. She calmly guided me through the process of editing, typesetting and publishing in print & digital formats. Bev’s authenticity, flexibility and attention to detail shone through. Despite offering me multiple cover designs, Bev eagerly encouraged using my son’s artwork for the book cover. She kept me on track even when my energy waned. With Bev Ryan, your life and your stories will find their voice.

Bev and team, I am deeply grateful.

Dianne Lee

Psychologist, nurse, marriage celebrant,

‘In writing my fifth book, The Middle Matters, Bev was instrumental in ensuring fantastic editing and layout. I’m incredibly grateful for Bev’s patience as the book (and Bev) had to fit around my very busy speaking schedule… but we got there and Bev made every step as easy as possible for me to step back into the authoring process and continue so we could produce this important guide for the C-Suite. Thanks Bev, I appreciate you.’

Sally Foley-Lewis

Middle Manager Leadership Expert, Sally Foley-Lewis

‘Before working with Bev I had secured a traditional publishing contract, and my book was underway, but I was not happy. It felt like my voice was lost and my message was diminished. I knew my book wouldn’t achieve its purpose if my voice was inauthentic, and I felt powerless under the contractual arrangement I was in.

After I withdrew from that arrangement and began working with Bev, who my own executive coach recommended, I was able to self-publish with her services and guidance, I gained control of my own work. I could ask questions and receive advice but ultimately, I owned my work and I retained my authentic voice — which is effectively the point I am making in the book, and what is most important to me.

Thanks, Bev, for your editing, design and publishing services; advice; wise counsel; and for putting up with my moments of self-doubt. I’m delighted with the result. To anyone thinking of working with Bev, I say: Do it. Just do it.’

Donna Groves

Managing Director, Comacon Pty Ltd

‘I needed help to actually get my book done, as I had been thinking about it and playing on the edges for a long time. When Bev offered me a place in her Book Success Group beginning in September 2022, I knew it was just what I needed. We met fortnightly, which gave me deadlines and the accountability I needed, and coaching which helped me firm up my book structure and get writing. Now, a year later, I am a published author. Bev tidied up sections as I wrote and travelled, so editing was not too arduous when it was written. She also organised the book cover design and page layout, and a new website, in preparation for my book release in 2023. My book is now available globally, and has hit #1 on Amazon a couple of times in ‘Women in Business’ and ‘Real Estate’ categories. When I return to Brisbane in early 2024, I will be establishing a new coaching business after 20+ years running my own successful RE business, and my book will be an important part of that.’

Hannah Schuhmann

Author / Coach in training , Coaching for Women

‘Once I engaged you, I was able to relax and trust you to make sure things happened in the order that they should, even if my health and ability to focus reduced my attention levels. I thought I knew what had to be done and I just wanted some help in doing it. But there was so much more that I didn’t know I needed to know, including choosing a title, designing the cover, writing the cover text, and designing and writing the Table of Contents.

I had hesitated to turn my work over to an editor for fear that they would change my writing style. I used to write academic articles, but over the years I have adopted my present style, which is what I am now known for, and so I didn’t want it to be ’tidied up’.  You didn’t.  You just made it better, and I was grateful for your attention to detail.

The final design and layout of the book, and your support dealing with the IngramSpark platform, have meant the most to me. You picked up errors that would have greatly embarrassed me had they remained, and overall made great improvements. I felt after just the first edit that I had spent my money wisely.

To other authors, I say this: You have taken a lot of time to write your book and you are the expert when it comes to its content. Now you deserve to show it off to the best advantage, so get an expert here too!’

Dr Penny Burns

Chair, Talking Infrastructure Association

'The Story of Asset Management' by Dr Penny Burns

‘I was lost before investing in Bev’s book coaching service. I had plenty of ideas for my book content, and hundreds of pages filled with notes, but I had not been able to find the voice I wanted to use in my book. I am a trainer, so I am confident with presentations and coaching, but was struggling with starting my book. I wanted to capture my natural communication style in my words as well – but I did not know how. Bev gave me a blueprint to take everything I had already done and turn it into the framework for something I will be proud of. She also helped me find the confidence to write with my natural style and voice, which removed a lot of mental roadblocks for me. Having regular accountability calls with a specialist coach is always a win as well.’

Robb Pike

President, PEAK Coaching & Training Services

‘We were so impressed with Dr Damien Barry’s manuscript when it was proposed to us that we accepted it straight away. Thank you Bev for all the work you did with Damian in the planning stage, as his book coach. Great result for everyone and we are so proud to be publishing this important piece of writing.’

Alicia Cohen

Publisher, Amba Press

‘Thank you so much Bev for your guidance, advice and mentoring. When I was about to embark on the journey of writing my first book I knew that I needed some major help. Despite Bev’s business name of ‘Smart Women Publish’, and me being a bloke, there was something that resonated with me about Bev so I reached out and I’m so glad that I did. Bev provided a very clear book planning framework which I used to first shape the contents of my book, and later to ensure that this content was relevant and on point. I’ll soon publish this book (after signing with the publishing company Amba Press) only nine months after initially speaking with Bev. I have no hesitation in recommending Bev to anyone who is thinking of writing and publishing. Thanks Bev!’

Dr Damien Barry

Principal, Wisdom College

‘I hired Bev as my Book Production Manager and the whole experience was simply sensational. Navigating all of the ins and outs of self-publishing, taking your manuscript from your hard drive to an actual printed book could be utterly overwhelming without the calm and experienced Bev by your side! Editing, cover design, page layout, author bio, printer introductions, ingram spark and amazon, everything I needed was provided and the end result is a beautiful book I am immensely proud of. I believe in investing in expertise, and I am so glad that Bev was available – hire her today!’

Angela Raspass

Business Mentor | Podcaster | Self-Leadership Advocate, Your Next Chapter

‘I was struggling with my second book, a memoir/self-help book, in 2022 as it wasn’t structured and the chapter content I was writing felt like a chaotic mess. I did not have a plan. Bev’s book blueprint coaching and workbooks allowed me to go back and review the point, purpose & readership of the book, and structure my thinking, then find the flow for the stories (memoir component) and messages (self-help component) through the book.’

Dolores Cummins

Executive Coach & Consultant: Business Transformation, Culture & Leadership Development, Dolores Cummins

‘I invested in the 30-day Begin Your Book program with Bev late in 2022. I needed help to structure my book and get clarity about what to include in it and what to exclude from it. I have never done this before, so I was quite lost. The best parts for me were Bev helping me to determine the book outline and plan the chapters before I started writing using her blueprint process. That helped me know where to start and what I am working towards. I now know exactly who my audience is, my book outline is flowing well, and I have clear direction and know exactly what I want to include in each chapter. I would most definitely recommend this 30-day program to all new authors! I would never have come this far on my own.’

Anonymous

Author-in progress , Community Services

‘Bev and her team have been outstanding in supporting me to publish my book ‘Lead the Future’. She made the process of editing, typesetting and publishing seamless which enabled me to focus on immersing myself in writing content for my readers. I would recommend Bev to anyone who is thinking of writing and publishing and book and is looking for holistic support.’

Jessica Schubert

Leadership Expert | Executive Coach, Intact Teams

‘Bev Ryan came along in person to help me complete my book, while I refocused on moving other parts of my business along in late 2022. I was floundering on the self-publishing journey and she rescued me. I handed my book project over to Bev with the calm assurance that it was in her extremely capable hands. As promised, my book was completed and I had a stock of print books in my hands in January, not an easy time of year to make anything happen! Although Bev only assisted me in the later stages of my book, with final edits, a new cover and new page layout, and online distribution, she is also well able to help budding writers through the concept stage as they decide on the purpose and point of their book, and develop the key outline of their proposed manuscript. Bev has also published an extremely detailed and helpful book for writers called ‘Smart Women Publish

Miriam Everett-Jones

Coach, Author, Empowered Choices Coaching

‘The book blueprint exercises Bev gave me were the game-changers. They allowed me to really understand the meaning of my book. I had been so neck-deep in this project I had lost sight of why I started it in the first place. The exercises teased out a lot of conversations with Bev, and her questions fuelled my writing and self-editing. There had been no real structure to my book, so to my shock, after only a couple of catch-ups and Bev’s expertise, this book emerged! Even in its draft stage, it made me teary because it was finally taking shape!’

Erin

Author-in progress

‘When I handed over my manuscript to Bev, I didn’t know how much work was involved behind the scenes, although I thought I understood the publishing process from my research. After I started working with Bev, I realised how beneficial it was to work with a professional and an experienced person like her to help me effectively navigate through the process. English is my third language, and I wouldn’t produce a quality book like this without her patient guidance and friendly, informed support. She is the person who turned my dream into reality! I am both grateful and respectful of her and her services, and highly recommend Bev to anyone serious about producing a high-quality book.’

Helen Nan

Principal Adviser & Co-Founder , Compound Freedom

‘Bev Ryan is a diplomatic dynamo. From the moment she courageously snared me at an event on the Gold Coast for an unscheduled interview for her magazine ‘Honestly Woman’ to inviting me to be a part of the multi-author book ‘Women on Top – against the Odds’ which she edited and project managed for Sally Healey & Terri Cooper, I have found Bev to be an unusual combination of delightful and driven. I was also thrilled to be their Guest Speaker at the Brisbane launch of ‘Women on Top’ – a wonderful night that Bev brought together for the authors of the book. I have enjoyed every interaction with her and look forward to more. She truly knows how to develop and maintain mutually rewarding and beneficial relationships.’ (Photo: Sally Healey, left, with Dr Lois Frankel)

Dr Lois Frankel

International Bestselling Author (The 'Nice Girls' series), Keynote Speaker, Executive Coach, Dr Lois Frankel

‘Over the past couple of years, I have entrusted Bev Ryan to produce two books for me. During my most recent book creation, Bev was not only involved in production, but also designed the cover of my book, and set up global distribution. Working with Bev is always a positive experience. She is highly responsive to my many emails, and always available to help answer my questions with her huge wealth of knowledge. I will most definitely be using Bev Ryan when I publish my third book, and highly recommend her services to anyone looking for a wonderful self publishing experience.’

Amanda Stokes

Parenting Advocate & Coach, Raising Strong Daughters

‘As a first time author I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself in for. Bev gave me the guidance and confidence to get to the finished product, a published book, helping me massage my original manuscript into the masterpiece it has become today.

Honestly, I could never have come up with this final product by myself. If you have ever considered writing your book, I would thoroughly recommend getting in touch with Bev to help you with taking your idea from your head to a printed book, with global distribution.’

Warren James

Career Performance Coach, CEO , Rapid Mentoring

‘Bev really helped to change my life! I initially approached Bev as I was struggling with how to finish my first book, ‘Leadership Attitude’, and consequently she has also worked on my second and third ones, ‘Just Rock It’ and ‘First Comes Courage’. Bev really helped to coach and manage the process for all three, and has since produced a hardcover version of each of them as well. From start to finish she went above and beyond, and really helped to take away the stress from the whole experience. I am thrilled with my books. They look perfect. The content is spot on which was down to Bev’s service, knowledge of the industry and insights. I highly recommend Bev to anyone looking for help. She really helped to bring my books to realisation and make my dreams come true!’

Sonia McDonald

Managing Director & Founder | Author of ‘Leadership Attitude’, 'Just Rock It' & 'First Comes Courage', LeadershipHQ & McDonald Inc

‘I have worked with Bev Ryan twice now, and I must say that both times have been hugely successful and very worthwhile.  My book would never have become the quality it is today if not for Bev’s patience and vast expertise. She also came up with the striking cover concept and the page layout is beautiful too.  Bev edited and produced my book initially in early 2020, then later that same year I realised I had left out a very important and pivotal part to the story. I re-wrote part, added a whole new chapter, and once again Bev edited and re-designed the pages, and we went to print again.

I absolutely recommend Bev Ryan of Smart Women Publish, because she is excellent at what she does. She guides, advises, corrects and offers re-writes where necessary. She is pure genius in the publishing sphere, and I will most definitely work with her again. Bev Ryan – love your work!’

Belinda Shaw

Resilience Trainer | Retail Recalibration | Author | Speaker, Belinda Shaw

Becoming of Wisdom

‘I had no real idea how to approach writing a non-fiction book but I knew it was something I wanted to achieve. It had all felt largely overwhelming but with Bev’s knowledge and process of breaking it down into bite size chunks, it was easy to stay focused on the end goal. Bev makes everything she does about you and your processes, not about her. Her knowledge shone through with the practical examples she shared so you could see and experience her wealth of information. I would definitely recommend Bev’s services because without them I would never have been able to write the book that I wanted to write.’

Denise Gibbons

Founder, Integrity Wealth | Executive Coach, Women's Leadership Specialist

‘I was about to embark on my first multi-author book, ‘Now We’re Talking’ and I didn’t really know where to start: I had a concept and a few roughly written chapters, that was all. Trusted friend and global networking and publishing expert, Robyn Henderson, recommended I contact book coach and publishing consultant, Bev Ryan, for assistance and guidance, as Robyn knew her to be someone who is professional, easy to work with and understanding of my target market – dynamic women over 50 years of age. Bev assisted me again when I published the second multi-author book in the series, about women’s health and vitality.’

Bev Brough

Author: 'Now We're Talking' series; National Business Development Manager at Le Reve, Bev Brough

‘Bev’s Book Blueprint coaching process helped me get unstuck in the writing process and move from a technical expert focus to a writer who puts the reader at the heart of the narrative. It was a great learning journey for me because I knew I needed to review what I had written so far but didn’t know how to do that. Bev’s style is supportive and encouraging. She is well-connected and happy to help you bring your ideas into reality in the book writing process. I can’t think of where I would be without her guidance.’

Kelly Maniatis

Organisational Psychologist & Managing Director, Left Field Co.

‘I have known Bev Ryan for a number of years now and she helped me publish my first book, ‘In the Moment’, back in 2013. Bev is such a master at what she does and really knows how to help you express your value and purpose and publish for professional success. The simple book I published with Bev sold out within the first six months and directly led to an invitation to speak in the Middle East. That also opened my eyes to my own potential. Everyone has got a book in them! I highly recommend sitting down with Bev and finding out how she can help you find your voice and share it with the world.’

Karen Brook

High Performance Mindset Coach, Regional Director (Aust, NZ, Singapore) at Proctor Gallagher Institute, Karen Brook

‘Bev Ryan stood out from the rest with her straightforward and no-nonsense approach. From the very first conversation with Bev I sensed I was talking with someone genuine, honest and professional, which made my decision to go with her very easy.

When discussing the publishing process I immediately felt at ease diving into an industry I knew nothing about, and Bev was readily available to answer the endless questions and queries of a first-time author.

With her expert advice and outstanding service I was able to achieve my goal of publishing Defy your Destiny, my first book. Bev has helped me launch the book internationally and it is now available through major online retailers including Amazon, Booktopia and Smashwords. I look forward to continuing this relationship with Bev Ryan for years to come.’

Fiori Giovanni

Executive Coach, Speaker and Author of ‘Defy Your Destiny’, Fiori Giovanni

‘Bev guided me through the publishing process from the start – the conception of my book idea – to the end. She answered all my questions in a considered manner and has always been extremely supportive. The editing process was seamless, and I have a professional book I am proud of. I am very happy with the cover design for my book – it reflects my book, me as an author and looks friendly and professional. As an author it is important to surround yourself with a great team, and Bev is an integral part of it.’

Dr Maria Boulton

Co-founder of Family Doctors Plus. Winner of the Telstra Queensland New Business of the Year 2017. Chairman of AMA Qld, Doctors Plus

‘Bev Ryan was a godsend when I published my first book, ‘Rules of Social Engagement’. I came to her with a draft manuscript and an undoubtedly frustrating combination of knowing exactly what I wanted but not knowing what was involved in making it all happen. Bev listened carefully to what I wanted, and then guided me effortlessly through the process; delivering both on budget and on schedule, a fabulous final product. I would highly recommend Bev Ryan, and won’t hesitate to use her services for my next book!’

Philippa Spork

Business Strategist. Author of ‘Rules of Social Engagement' and 2017 Global Book Excellence Award Winner - Business Category

‘I found Bev to be an excellent person to deal with: always very pleasant and good-natured. I found she was always very obliging and co-operative in responding to requests. She went out of her way to meet with me on various occasions to carry out tasks. Furthermore, Bev was also MC at my book launch at The Brisbane Club. I found her fees to be very reasonable. For anyone with the thought in mind to write a book and have it published, I would highly recommend Bev Ryan of Bev Ryan Publishing Services.’

Allan Krosch

Civil Engineer (retired). Memoir author: 'Little Things that Stick in the Mind'

‘I was delighted to participate in Bev’s Book Success program. It was valuable on so many levels and suitable for those at the beginning of their writer’s journey as well as those who were further along the path. There’s a great deal involved in getting a book from an idea to a product. Many of these steps were unknown to me at the beginning. Bev shared with us the benefits of hers and other authors’ successful book publication journey. We were given templates, resources, tips on things to do and avoid, and introductions to others in the trade. I really looked forward to the weekly webinar, which was a motivational shot in the arm on what can be a long, lonely at times and unknown journey. It is my pleasure to recommend the program to other authors.’

Dr Tracy Stanley

Social Scientist | Author | Intrapreneurship, Employee Engagement & Organisational Change, Tracy Stanley

‘Thank you from my whole heart Bev for you being you. You are a wonderful soul who has a beautiful calm and nurturing nature. Ever since meeting you at Jen’s launch so long ago, I knew you would be instrumental for me in my life and you have been. I’m so grateful to you Bev for all that you do. I’d love to see you at my launch on Wednesday so you get a chance to experience how I present my story and how the young ones interact with it. It’s sure to make you smile.’

Kym McCabe

Author of 'A Stitching Story'