The Business Author Advantage
A dedicated pathway for consultants, coaches and business leaders to secure a first-time, major-publisher business book that genuinely grows their business and shifts the conversation in their field.
Publish the book that moves your business — and your field.
Is this for you?
This is for you if:
You run an expert business — consultancy, coaching practice, training company or similar
You already have a body of work: a method, framework or point of view that clients value
You know a serious business book with the right publisher would accelerate your authority and opportunities
You’re unclear on which book to write, what publishers actually look for, or how to navigate agents, contracts and expectations
You don’t have the time or appetite to reverse-engineer the publishing industry on your own
It’s not for you if you’re mainly looking to “tick the author box” or write a personal passion project with no link to your commercial work.
What you’ll gain
By the end of our work together, you’ll have:
A sharp, commercially credible book concept
A clear idea that fits your business model, brand and long-term positioning — not just “a book about what I do”.
Distinct positioning in a crowded market
Clarity on who the book is really for, how it sits alongside existing titles and why a publisher should care now.
A realistic, targeted platform strategy
A focused plan to demonstrate demand using the channels you already have (clients, speaking, LinkedIn), without turning you into a full-time content machine.
A publisher-ready proposal
A professionally structured proposal that speaks the language of major business imprints and gives them what they need to make a decision.
Informed decisions on route and deals
A grounded understanding of traditional vs hybrid options, what a “good” deal looks like for you, and how to approach offers and timelines with your eyes open.
Access to a trusted ecosystem of specialists. When it’s helpful, you’ll be introduced to carefully chosen partners – structural editors, publicists and other specialists – so you don’t have to build a team from scratch or guess who to trust.
In short: a book project that makes business sense and a far stronger starting position with serious publishers.
How we work together
The Business Author Advantage is a hands-on, one-to-one partnership with a small number of authors each year — not a group course or author factory.
A typical engagement includes:
Strategy and positioning sessions
Deep-dive conversations to clarify your idea, your business model and the role of the book.
Co-development of your concept and proposal
Collaborative work on the core idea, hook, structure and proposal so it meets both your standards and the market’s.
Targeted platform and visibility guidance
Practical recommendations on where to focus for early proof of demand, tailored to your audience and bandwidth.
Behind-the-scenes advisory as you talk to publishers
Support in preparing for pre-contract meetings, understanding feedback, and weighing up any offers.
If, after an initial conversation, it’s clear that a major-publisher project isn’t yet well-timed, you’ll get an honest view of what would need to be true — and how to start moving in that direction.
What others say
“Ben was part of the team at Performance Consultants International during the development of the 6th edition of Coaching for Performance. In that role, I saw firsthand his deep understanding of publishing from multiple perspectives — author ambition, publisher priorities, and the strategic space between them.
Ben brings rare fluency in both the creative and commercial sides of book publishing. He understands what it takes to position ideas clearly, engage the right collaborators, and navigate the complexities of contracts, design, publicity, and international editions. His publishing industry contacts and insight into how ideas gain traction make him a valuable resource for business authors and aspiring thought leaders looking to bring their work to market effectively.”
Tiffany Gaskell
CEO, Performance Consultants International
Co-Author, Coaching for Performance 6th edition
“Ben is a world-class publisher who is always innovating and focused on finding solutions. It has been incredible to see the work he does with authors to develop business models and find creative ways to grow platforms.”
Iain Campbell
Publishing Director, Hachette UK“Whether coaching authors on how to put their books at the centre of their business, optimising traditional and developing new paths to market, or leveraging his extensive knowledge of the global book trade, Ben is someone who gets things done.”
Alison Hankey
Former Editorial Director, Nicholas Brealey Publishing
Why work with Ben
Ben Slight’s career spans bookselling, publishing, leadership development and high-performance coaching.
He has:
Worked in-house with leading commercial and smart-thinking imprints, helping to develop and launch business books and global coaching classics
Led commercial and programme teams in a leadership consultancy, working at the intersection of IP, brand and business development
Trained extensively in The Inner Game and business coaching, working with entrepreneurs and senior leaders on performance and presence
That mix means he can sit in the space between:
Your ambition as an author
The realities of your business
The commercial logic of major publishers
His role is to be on your side — clear-eyed, commercially minded and committed to a book that serves both your readers and your bigger game.
Ready to explore your book?
If you’re a consultant, coach, speaker or business leader with a serious body of work — and a sense that it’s time to turn that into a book with a major publisher — the next step is a conversation.
We’ll look at your idea, your business model and your timing. You’ll get a straightforward view on what’s realistic, what would need to be strengthened, and whether The Business Author Advantage is the right fit.
Prefer to start with an email? Contact ben@slightadvantage.co.uk