In today's episode, Karen Williams (The Book Mentor) sits down with Claire Brumby, motivational speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author. Claire shares her journey from launching her first book, The Winning Mix, back in 2018 – a guide inspired by her own entrepreneurial experience in the food industry – to mapping out her upcoming title, Forget Normal, I Want Magic, which introduces her progressive leadership framework and is set to be published in April 2026.  

Together, they dive into the differences between self-publishing and securing a publishing deal, the evolution of Claire Brumby's business and message, and the ambitious goal of making her next book a Sunday Times bestseller.   

You'll hear practical advice for aspiring authors, candid reflections on book writing challenges, and unique marketing tactics like 'lumpy mail' and leveraging your network. Plus, Claire Brumby reveals the origins of her signature MAGIC acronym and how it's shaping leaders and organizations for the future.

** Upcoming Events **  

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly online networking events, the Coffee and Connect Café, held on the first Tuesday of each month.  You’ll get learning, ideas, and the chance to connect with other authors.  

Our Smart Author Momentum programme starts on Monday 19 January 2026, and we also run an annual writing retreat and our next event in Spain is from 25 April to 2 May 2026. Join us for a week in the sun writing your book!  

You can find out more about all our upcoming events at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents. Or contact Karen Williams to find out how she can help you via www.librotas.com.   

Key Takeaways  

Find Your Why Before You Start Writing: Claire stressed the importance of sitting with yourself, understanding your motivations, the audience you want to serve, and what you want your book to achieve. Knowing your why gives you the staying power you’ll need for the writing process.  

The Power of Networks & Bold Marketing: When preparing for her second book launch, Claire is going all in on connection—leveraging her network, reaching out directly, and even bringing back old-school lumpy mail marketing! Don’t be afraid to ask for help or experiment to spread your message.  

Frameworks Make Ideas Stick: The MAGIC framework (Mindset, Awakening, Gumption, Intuition, Charisma) isn’t just memorable—it's actionable. Whether you’re leading a team or presenting on stage, frameworks like this make complex ideas tangible and practical, helping both you and your audience grow.  

Bio  

Claire Brumby is a motivational speaker, leadership coach and best-selling author helping leaders and organisations unlock intuitive, emotionally intelligent and future-ready leadership. As a former FMCG founder and Dragons’ Den alumna, Claire brings real-world commercial experience together with deep insight into resilience, mindset and transformation.   

Her new book, Forget Normal – I Want Magic! introduces her pioneering MAGIC framework—Mindset, Awakening, Gumption, Intuition, and Charisma, offering a progressive approach to self-leadership in a world reshaping fast. Claire challenges outdated, overly masculine leadership norms and invites every leader, regardless of gender, to embrace balanced energetics, intuition and personal power.   

Claire works internationally with organisations, boards and executive leaders to develop cultures that are authentic, human-centred and high performing - without burnout. She speaks powerfully on intuitive leadership, emotional intelligence, authenticity in modern leadership, and how to lead with courage in times of uncertainty and change. Her mission is to inspire individuals and organisations to lead with heart, clarity and confidence, and to create impact that feels meaningful, aligned and sustainable.  

Website: www.clairebrumby.com   

Book link: https://tinyurl.com/ForgetNormalIWantMagic   

Socials:  https://www.instagram.com/theclairebrumby  

Time stamped overview:  
00:00 Entrepreneurial Lessons from Food Industry
06:27 Pandemic Pivot: Expanding Business Horizons
10:11 Overcoming Self-Doubt for Success
14:01 Shooting for the Bestseller Goal
17:27 Chasing Sunday Times Bestseller
18:33 Leveraging Networks and Celebrations
21:32 Overcoming Fear for Leadership
25:50 Memorable Impact Through Magic
28:35 Quick Mindset Boost Guide
32:14 Business Culture Fuels Burnout
37:59 Blending Memoir and Advice  

Keywords:    book writing, self-publishing, publishing deal, Sunday Times bestseller, keynote speaking, leadership, coaching, business growth, food mentor, entrepreneurial journey, women leaders, positive disruption, marketing tactics, lumpy mail, personal development, pivoting in business, author journey, goal setting, book proposal, magic framework, Kogan Page, organizational change, storytelling, writing process