Since launching the Socially Shared Online Bookshop, we have added over one hundred and fifty books to the site. These books were written by local female authors within the network.
Seeing the steady increase of ladies within the community writing and publishing books, we knew we wanted to celebrate and support them.
Writing across a wide range of genres, there is something for everyone, and we wanted to share this fabulous collection of books with a wider audience. Although we don’t sell from the site, we provide a platform for authors to promote their work and tap into our extensive online visitors.
As part of our mission to continue supporting these female authors, we will highlight an author on the blog each month.
March’s author spotlight falls on author and poet, Sue Williams.
Meet Sue Williams
Sue Williams started writing poetry after taking early retirement from her career with the Civil Service. She has since published an award-winning poetry book I Am Unique and has collated and contributed to three anthologies in the Believe You Can series. These are true stories aimed to inspire women to have more self-belief and confidence when facing life changes.
Sue also created a set of inspirational Believe Oracle Cards to accompany the book series, which are available on the deckible app.
Her new anthology: Golden Threads Women’s Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life, was launched in November 2024. In 2025, an audio book and podcast will follow.
Sue is currently working on completing her first solo non-fiction book: The Midlife Detective – Solving the Mystery of Your Missing Sparkle.
As a co-director of Book Boost, a membership to help non-fiction authors, Sue supports other authors to publish, promote and profit from their non-fiction books.
The Socially Shared team asked Sue a few questions about her author journey so far:
Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?)
Sue was an avid reader until her early teens, when suddenly, she discovered it became difficult to find books she related to. There was no YA fiction back then! Although initially she spoke with the school careers adviser about training in journalism, she was deterred by a challenging question: “Would you have the confidence to work amongst the cut and thrust of the red tops on Fleet Street?” Answering a timid “no” took her down a different path.
Taking early retirement from the Civil Service, she found herself stuck, staring at a blank page when sitting down to write. A breakthrough came when an enthusiastic coach introduced her to morning pages—a simple yet powerful free flowing writing practice. To Sue’s surprise, this unlocked her creativity. One morning, inspiration struck as she wrote Believe—a poem about finding the courage to chase your dreams despite life’s obstacles. That moment changed everything. Inspired by her own poem, Sue went on to publish three collaborative books to inspire women around the theme Believe You Can, an award-winning poetry book: I Am Unique, and a deck of Believe Oracle Cards. She realised her mission: to help other women to overcome their doubts, bring their books to life and share their message with the world.
When she is not writing, Sue enjoys days out visiting National Trust properties, taking photographs, visiting the theatre and networking. She is also co-director of Book Boost, a membership to help non-fiction authors to publish, promote and profit from their books.
What or who inspired you to write your latest book?
Most recently, Sue has published her fourth collaboration: Golden Threads – Women’s Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life… The inspiration behind this came as she chatted in her airy conservatory with a friend. Sue felt a keen sense of being in the presence of a wise woman effortlessly sharing her wisdom from her armchair. This planted the seed for gathering stories from other women in midlife and beyond who had gained wisdom through their life journeys. Sue loves seeing how women grow in confidence and self-belief when they own their experiences and share their stories. Holding the book in their hands has already inspired contributors to progress their own writing projects.
What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Don’t be afraid to start small! A simple journaling practice can unlock your creativity. A chapter in a collaborative book can build your confidence. A pocket-sized book can pack a powerful punch! Small steps move you forward, sometimes in directions you never expected.
What do you enjoy most about the writing process and why?
I am more in tune with writing shorter pieces. I particularly enjoy it when a poem flows through me in response to an unexpected feeling. I also enjoy the feeling of collaboration when women connect to share short stories on a common theme.
What is your next project?
I am in the process of finally completing a non-fiction book project I started seven years ago! It is a book aimed at women in midlife, which was inspired by exploring the contents of my parents’ attic soon after my dad died. I am determined to complete it this year!
Also, it is the start of an exciting adventure to record the audio book version of Golden Threads with many contributing authors and start a Golden Threads podcast!
Find out more about Sue Williams and her books.
You can discover Sue’s books via her website: www.sue-williams.com/books
To find Sue on LinkedIn go to: (2) Sue Williams | LinkedIn
For Facebook: Author and Poet Sue Williams (4) Facebook or Sue Williams https://www.facebook.com/sue.williams59
You can also meet Sue at various author events including the Socially Shared Meet the Author on 18th October, and the Book Extravaganza events including Market Harborough at the Three Swans on March 22nd and at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on 19th April.
Socially Shared Author Event dates for your diary:
Friday 3rd May – Author Insights Book Convention in Kenilworth Warwickshire – an event exclusively for aspiring or published authors. This event includes guest speakers from the industry and a chance to network with fellow writers.
Saturday 18th October – 6th Meet the Author Event – a fabulous event showcasing the writing talent in our community. Come along to meet the authors in person and buy their books.
Within the Socially Shared Business Support Network, we have a growing number of women who have written books and either had them published or self-published their work. Writing across a wide range of genres, there really is something for everyone, and we wanted to share this fabulous collection of books with you.
Check out ALL the amazing books HERE.
Interested in learning more about our online bookshop, Meet the Author, and Author Insights events? Sign up for our newsletter or get in touch with our book host Shelley at books@sociallyshared.co.uk
