Sarah ,Bullen Literary Agent & Author- TBCY

Sarah ,Bullen Literary Agent & Author: Unlocking the Secrets to Writing Your Book in 100 Days

Started as an investigative financial journalist and humor columnist
Commissioned for her first book by Penguin South Africa

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Overview

Welcome to our recap of an inspiring episode of TBCY featuring Sarah Bullen, a seasoned literary agent and author from Cape Town, South Africa, interviewed by Ashutosh Garg. This episode is packed with practical insights into the writing journey, the publishing landscape, and the real work behind finishing your book.

Here’s what you’ll discover, with key timestamps and topics in question format:

00:00:36- How did Sarah Bullen’s writing and mentoring journey begin?

Started as an investigative financial journalist and humor columnist
Commissioned for her first book by Penguin South Africa
Initial success and some setbacks in publishing
Transition from journalism to book mentoring and literary agent roles
Experience as a ghostwriter and author of 14 books

00:02:48- What makes a book commercially publishable in today’s market?

The difference between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing models
The importance of the author’s reach and platform
Publishers focus on whether authors can sell books
For nonfiction, the author’s influence matters more than the story
Commercial viability is about relevance and audience demand, not just literary quality

00:04:52- What’s changing in the world of self-publishing?

Shift from traditional submissions to platforms like Amazon
Pros: Easier for authors to publish and share their message
Cons: Quality standards are lower, leading to reader confusion
The importance of discernment for both readers and authors in the current landscape

00:07:32- How does Sarah balance tough coaching with creativity when mentoring writers?

Differentiation between personal and professional book goals
Moving clients from idea phase to actual writing
The rule: Thinking is not writing—writing requires action and discipline
Emphasis on word counts, deadlines, and sustained effort

00:10:23- What separates authors who finish their books from those who don’t?

Professional incentives like career boosts or publisher deals
A burning personal cause fuels persistence (example: Gabby Lowe)
Those stuck in overthinking and perfectionism often don’t finish

00:12:31- What is the 100-day book writing system, and how does it work?

Immersive process: “The Belly of the Whale”—getting consumed by the project
Intensive writing bursts: 3 full days per month, over 4 months
Goal is to reach a first draft of 80,000 words
Multiple drafts and revisions are standard (often 7+ for professionals)

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Sarah Bullen: LinkedIn

Enjoyed this podcast?

The hardest part of writing? Moving from thinking about your book to actually writing it. Sarah Bullen says: “Thinking is NOT writing. Writing is a verb. Get those words onto the page—including the bad first draft!” Share your thoughts in the comments and spread these insights with friends!

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