In the ever-expanding universe of literature, where each word is a vessel for ideas and emotions, there exist individuals who not only craft stories but also illuminate the path for aspiring wordsmiths. Among these luminaries is Katya Fishman, a seasoned Writer and Publishing Consultant whose journey through the realms of ink and imagination has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. In this exploration of words and wisdom, we delve into the creative mind of Katya Fishman, discovering the intricacies of her writing process, unraveling the tales she weaves, and gaining insights into the nuanced world of publishing. Join Mystic Mag on a literary journey where pen meets purpose, and the art of storytelling converges with the expertise of a publishing sage.
As a self-publishing coach, what inspired you to partner with entrepreneurs to help them self-publish and market their books effectively?
I am a ghostwriter, which means I write other people’s books for them. At the end of the writing process, I used to simply hand the manuscript over to my clients and wish them good luck—my part of the work was completed. Then I had a few special clients who needed help in making sure they got their books out into the world. That led me to start researching publishing solutions. As a result, I decided to delve deeper into the entire publishing process to fully understand it. I found that I enjoyed it just as much, if not more than the writing process.
The process of writing a book has two phases: creation and production. For a long time, I exclusively focused on the creation phase, but transitioning to the production phase was an entirely different ball game. This is the phase where you get your message out there, place it in the hands of your ideal readers, and truly make an impact. It’s here that you begin to see things happen. My decision to move into this field was born out of my desire to offer a comprehensive solution for my clients.
Being a ghostwriter must involve diving into various topics and writing styles. Can you share a memorable experience where you had to adapt to a unique project, and how did it influence your approach to writing?
I feel the same way about my clients as mothers do about their children—I love each one of them uniquely. Working extensively with immigrants has been a significant part of my experience. When working with immigrants, it’s crucial to honor their stories and ensure that the writing preserves their voices. I’ve collaborated with people from various places, such as India, Ukraine, and Germany and every culture brings its distinct flavor to the language. My goal is to ensure that whether it’s the clients themselves, their readers, or future generations like children or grandchildren, the writing sounds authentic to them. It is challenging to maintain that authenticity while adhering to proper English standards.
I had two clients who immigrated from India which presented a unique challenge since they were a couple telling their story together. I narrated the stories of each individual before they met, their family histories, their journey of coming together, and then their life together in the United States. Despite these challenges, I was able to preserve their individual voices.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer three main services: ghostwriting, book coaching, and publishing consulting.
Ghostwriting is a substantial undertaking, and I limit the number of projects I take on each year due to the significant time and energy investment required.
Book coaching involves working closely with individuals who want to write their own book. This process typically spans 6 to 8 months, during which we develop an outline and a writing plan. I assist in keeping clients accountable. Many people have the desire to write a book but the percentage of those who successfully do so is very small. It’s not solely about talent; the process, accountability, and unwavering commitment all play crucial roles. In book coaching, my role is to provide accountability, guidance, and structure. Although I read the written content and provide feedback, I do not provide any editing.
Publishing consulting is for authors who have completed a first draft and need help transforming it into a beautiful book that does not look self-published.
I pride myself in being a book-writing and publishing professional who helps authors at any stage of the book-writing process—anywhere from book idea all the way through publishing.
Self-healing advocacy is a distinctive aspect of your profile. How do you integrate principles of self-healing into your coaching and writing processes for entrepreneurs?
In ancient times, humans made sense of life and connected through storytelling. Stories are the foundation of our shared experiences. When I work with clients to help them tell their stories, whether I’m assisting them in writing or doing the writing for them, I often encounter underlying issues that could benefit from a healing and nourishing approach. Even if clients haven’t explicitly expressed a desire to heal, the work I do always has a healing impact. I have watched my clients experience a sense of relief or peace on the other side of telling difficult stories. We process the difficult experience together and the mere act of being witnessed helps them explore it and understand it in a way they never have before. While we all have the ability to hear stories and derive value and meaning from them, it becomes challenging to see our own stories and recognize the power within them. This is why working with someone becomes incredibly helpful.
I am particularly fulfilled by working with individuals who are actively working through and striving to metabolize challenges, traumas, or significant experiences in their past and aim to utilize those experiences to assist others, which keeps us in touch with a fundamental aspect of our species: storytelling.
I didn’t intend to take this work into a healing and transformation direction but it took me there. Every ghostwriting client I’ve had cried at some point during our work together as a result of experiencing profound healing. I saw that it is inherently therapeutic to feel seen—to have aspects of your life reflected to you in a new and meaningful way by a third party who has no bias or reason to be anything other than authentically engaged with your story.
I tend to delve into the depths of psychology. In Greek, “psyche” means soul and I consider my work with clients as soul work that assists them in elevating their understanding of who they are, their purpose, and the reasons behind the challenges and struggles that have shaped their lives—ultimately helping them move forward and upward in their life journey.
In the end, everything we do as humans becomes stories—whether you’re a yoga teacher writing a book or someone teaching others how to sell products on Amazon, you are going to need to use stories to write a compelling book.
Self-publishing can be a daunting journey for many entrepreneurs. What key piece of advice do you find yourself consistently offering to your clients to help them navigate the challenges?
I always want to be very clear about what a person’s goals are. If someone’s goal is for people to work with them, they must write and publish a book that does not look self-published. That is my main goal—I want to create quality. I want to contribute to an excellent product. That means it’s crucial not to rush the process. Once you start rushing, the quality starts to diminish. This as a big deal; it takes a lot of time, so let’s do it right. My ideal client is the person who wants it done right versus just wanting to get it done.
I think for entrepreneurs, in particular, that can be a bit of a challenge because they’re often very much in a ‘fail forward’ mindset—just move, move, move, get it done. However, a book reflects your brand and who you are. My philosophy is always to make the best quality book that you can. There are so many terrible, self-published books out there, and I don’t want to contribute to that. I want to do justice to people’s stories and the information they’re sharing. So patience is the main advice I give.
I also think people need to assess their different purposes in publishing a book. Is it more for building your business or is it more about telling your story, getting that off your chest, and sharing with your loved ones? The answer determines what is the best way to move forward. That’s the first thing I help my clients figure out.
As a coach, ghostwriter, and self-healing advocate, you wear multiple hats. How do you balance these diverse roles, and do you find that they complement each other in unexpected ways?
I think for me, it starts with self-care; it begins with regular movement and practicing yoga. I’ve delved into many alternative healing modalities. My journey into this healing work originated from experiencing my own health issues as the result of being a burnt-out, highly sensitive, overly productive person. For me, the top priority is taking care of myself, especially the body. This enables me to authentically show up for my clients. Additionally, self-growth and continuous learning are essential aspects for me. I study Carl Jung, delve into astrology, and explore various modalities that inform the wisdom and knowledge I can impart. This knowledge shapes my perspective and what I observe and reflect to people through their stories.
I find that taking care of myself physically, along with ongoing learning and growth, helps me expand my understanding of this field.
I also have a practice of trusting the process. We all acknowledge this, and it sounds great, but it is easier said than done. Being an entrepreneur involves trusting the directions your life is taking you. Years ago, I would have never envisioned this as my profession. I’ve learned that the best thing about being an entrepreneur is that my business serves both my financial growth and my growth as a whole being. This transcends mere work; it’s living your purpose, impacting people, and positively influencing culture and society. This, to me, is where entrepreneurship becomes truly magical. It serves you, and in turn, you serve others.
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