TJ’s success story
How to turn your knowledge or story into a book
TJ Halbertsma is an ‘ordinary’ guy, who does extraordinary things. In daily life, he is the CEO of a large financial firm in London. In his spare time he is an extreme adventurer; climbing the highest mountains, crossing the Arctic and Antarctic, swimming the ‘escape from Alcatraz’ and more.
To inspire other people to pursue their dreams and climb their own symbolic ‘mountains’, he decided to write a book. TJ had never written a book before, but he approached it as a challenge to conquer. He made a commitment, did some training, called in support, and above all, persevered.

After only one workshop with me, created the back cover for his book and started writing seriously. A year later ‘Many worlds to conquer’ was published and it has been a great success.
With the proceeds from the book, TJ sponsors a charity for research into juvenile diabetes. The book has also opened up opportunities for TJ to give presentations about his adventures, enabling him to inspire even more people.
I recorded an interview with TJ; it is fascinating to get an overview of his experience writing a book and the opportunities it has created for him. You can watch the interview below and read about TJ and his book ‘Many worlds to conquer’ on his website.
In this interview TJ shares:
-
- How his adventures led to a book
- Why would anyone want to write a book?
- How public speaking and being an author reinforce each other
- How to find out what your message is that your audience will appreciate
- Why everybody should ‘climb their own mountain’
- How to choose a charity to benefit from the proceeds of your book
- How to find purpose in your personal adventures
- How to write a book even if you are not a writer
- Two tips to suck your audience into your story
- Lots of inspiration that anything is possible!
I hope that this inspires you to use the time and inspiration that you have and share it with other people.
Are you serious about writing your book?
Don’t reinvent the wheel, like I did. As the author and co-author of more than 30 books, writing coach for hundreds of people and organizer of 30 writing retreats, I have finally found the best system for writing a good book: the ‘Reverse Writing’ method. If you begin at the end and create a good structure before you start writing, you will be able to follow your energy, instead of the page numbers.
Learn all tips & tricks in the ‘idea to book’ workshop
Everything you need to turn your idea into a bestseller: practical advice, examples, and inspiration about writing, publishing, and promoting your book. Check out the ‘from idea to book’ workshop.

Personal guidance
I have trained a GPT with all my book writing knowledge, to help you get started, answer your questions and give feedback on your writing. Try out EstherAI for free!
Prefer personal 1 on 1 coaching? Private writing coaching is a unique opportunity to work on your book with my personal guidance and support. Book a single strategy session or plan a series of 1-on-1 calls. Do you want the best for your book?
A writing retreat in an exotic location?
During the online writing retreat@home or an all-inclusive retreat in one of my favorite locations, you will work with like-minded people and get 1-on-1 guidance. The daily workshops help to get started, followed by focused writing time, delicious food, and personal guidance & feedback. Where will we go?
The book ‘Reverse Writing’
Learn my Reverse Writing method (start with the back cover) in my super-comprehensive book ‘Reverse Writing’ and the companion workbook. You will find a step-by-step explanation, lots of examples, inspiration, and practical tips about writing, promotion, and publishing your book.

Original ideas and proven formats for your next bestseller
A successful book starts with a good idea. Check out the 10 best ‘formulas’ I’ve found for successful non-fiction books. Each of these ten proven formats gives you a different perspective, inspiration, and examples you can adapt for your own book. Subscribe to my ‘interested in writing’ list for book inspiration & tips and immediately receive the PDF with 10 ideas for a successful non-fiction book.