Writing an Award-Winning and Bestselling Book

Karen Gruber author

by Tabby Biddle

Three years ago, in 2019, Karen had her eye on a business program she wanted to join to help grow her coaching & consulting business. But there was one hitch: The program required participants to attend a retreat in Hawaii to write a book.

Write a book? Karen had no interest in writing a book. I am not a writer. That’s ridiculous, she told herself. So, she put the idea off.

But then, a few weeks later, she felt a nudge from her soul: Maybe a book wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe you’d be good at it. Maybe you’d enjoy it.

But she still had doubts.

When Karen arrived at the retreat, she had no idea what she was going to write about. She thought to herself: Worst case scenario, I’m in a beautiful place, and I’ll just enjoy myself. Best case scenario, I’m open enough to receive whatever it is I am meant to receive.

So, at the appointed times, Karen started writing.

And guess what? A novel started to come through her. A novel! Everyone else on the retreat was writing a non-fiction book to support the growth of their business. But here was Karen writing a novel. She never even thought of herself as a writer!

Not long after this retreat, while Karen was deep in the process of writing her novel, she and I met.

As a women’s leadership coach dedicated to amplifying the voices of women changemakers like Karen, I had the honor of serving as an early reader of Karen’s manuscript and supporting the blossoming of her voice as a writer and novelist in the world.

I am so proud to say that when Karen’s novel released, it won #1 Bestselling Amazon Book in six (6!) different categories.

And … that’s not all …

This month she received the 2022 International Impact Book Award for Female Empowerment; 1st Place Winner of the 2022 Firebird Awards in three categories: Biographical Fiction, New Fiction, and Contemporary Novel; AND 1st Place Winner of the Maincrest Media Book Awards for Women’s Fiction.

Three books awards just this month! Congratulations Karen!!! ❤️ 🎉

It can happen. And it does happen!

Drumroll please …

Karen’s Award-Winning & Bestselling Book

When Lions Roar is a novel set in South Africa when the country is reeling from the aftershocks of apartheid. It is a woman’s story of reclamation, covering deep universal issues that women navigate daily: the ability to trust one's voice, finding empowerment in your struggle, relationships, motherhood, marriage, and connection to one’s internal power. Karen’s writing is rich, detailed, sensuous, breathtaking and beautiful. This novel is for women who seek to live stronger, more aligned, and love-filled lives.


“Writing a book was something I never in my wildest dreams thought I would do, Karen says.

In fact, even when she got to writing it, she wasn’t planning on publishing it. She thought, “no way—I’m not a writer—not a real one, at least.” She had a full case of imposter syndrome when it came to writing.

And do you know what the funny thing is?

Once she allowed herself to be open to the experience, it became one of the things that has brought true joy in her life!

I hope you enjoy Karen’s book as much as I did! It’s the kind of book you want to share with all your girlfriends – and frankly any woman you know who is struggling with the common challenge of owning her voice and fully stepping into who she came here to be.

Have you felt the nudge to write your own book? Applications are now open for the Fall 2022 Divine Feminine Writer’s Group. Learn more and apply here.


Tabby Biddle, M.S. Ed., is dedicated to elevating the voices of women changemakers. She helps women find their voice and amplify it as writers, public speakers, artists, activists and thought leaders. She also helps women reclaim their power and take their place as leaders — not tethered to the old ways of patriarchy, but in a new paradigm of feminine leadership. Contact Tabby.