Lucy McCarraher

LUCY McCARRAHER, is the Founder of Rethink Press, Founder of the Business Book Awards, the author of 13 books and host of the ABOO Facebook Group for women authors and aspiring authors.

Lucy founded Rethink Press with Joe Gregory in 2011: the company has published over 500 titles by expert authors who want to gain impact, influence and income by writing and publishing their business or self-help book. Rethink has an international team of 50+ book professionals, including coaches and writers who take authors through planning and writing their books, along with the publishing team who create top quality books inside and out. Lucy designed and mentors the Bookbuilder – write your book in 90 days – programme.

Lucy became the Publish Mentor for Dent Global and the Key Person of Influence programme in 2013, and has mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs through writing their books. She gives keynotes, workshops and masterclasses in all aspects of writing and publishing.

In 2017, Lucy founded the Business Book Awards to highlight the quality and variety of business books in the market. The BBAs offer industry-wide recognition to new and established authors writing on a multiplicity of subjects for a diverse readership, and who have taken different routes to publication. The Business Book Awards give every publisher, regardless of size or type, and author, regardless of experience or route to publishing, of a business book the opportunity to participate in a high quality, impartial judging process. www.businessbookawards.co.uk . When the first year’s winners were all white men, Lucy became an advocate for more women and diverse business people to publish their books and founded the ABOO (A Book of One’s Own) network and mentoring programme.

Lucy is the author of 13 published books, the most recent being Bookbuilder (with Joe Gregory) and A Book of One’s Own – a manifesto for women to share their experience and make a difference. Others include the best-selling How To Write Your Book Without The Fuss, also with her business partner Joe Gregory; and the acclaimed How To Write Fiction Without The Fuss. Her first novel, Blood and Water, was shortlisted in a major competition and published by Macmillan New Writing, followed by Kindred Spirits and Mr Mikey’s Ladies. Lucy’s self-help books include A Simpler Life and The Real Secret, both co-authored with social psychologist, Annabel Shaw.

Lucy started her first publishing company at university in Australia and has been publishing, editing and writing ever since. She has been a magazine and book editor and publisher, print and TV journalist in Australia, with her own programme on NBN3, and the UK; a writers’ agent, and editor for Methuen. As Director of Development at Lifetime Productions International, she developed, wrote and edited UK and international TV and video series, including three series of Runaway Bay, a children’s series shot in Martinique and starring Naomie Harris; Go Wild! with Chris Packham; and the Lovers Guide video series and books.

Lucy became a national expert in work-life balance, writing academic and business reports for clients and authoring The Work-Life Manual and The Book of Balanced Living. Her clients included multinational and blue chip companies, including Virgin, Microsoft and various banks, large public sector and voluntary organisations, and SMEs. She coached many individuals on their work-life balance and personal development.

She has a post-graduate diploma (DTLLS) in teaching Creative Writing and Literacy.