Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Marsh.
Hi Kim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always considered myself a writer. I’ve kept a journal since third grade, and as my ambitions grew I began dreaming of full-time writer status. I pictured myself living in a small, sparse New York City apartment, banging away on a keyboard at the window. In my mind’s eye, I’d taken up smoking and also, inexplicably, wore a beret. Whether due to imposter syndrome, external messaging or something else, I tossed the writing dream aside in my later teenage years and settled on a more serious and lucrative area of study: sociology with a concentration in gender studies…HA.
My background is in the education and non-profit sector. After spending some time teaching and working in non-profit organizations, I transitioned to the corporate world and worked for eight years on various diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In this capacity, I spent many hours crafting communications, key messages and more. My love of writing and words were never far from my heart.
About six years ago, I hit a turning point in my career. I was ready for a promotion or ready for my next gig. I spent over two years applying and interviewing for various jobs. On December 23rd, 2020, I opened up an email informing me that the team had gone with an external candidate for a role that everyone assumed I was a “shoe-in” for.
After months of resumes falling into black-holes, final interview rounds and many, many “beautiful nos” (shout out to Sheri Salata for this term), this final rejection was the gift I didn’t know I needed.
With some words of positivity from my partner, I wiped the tears from my eyes and began my internet search: “starting your own business,” “freelance writing business,” and “how to make money writing/working from home” were where I started.
Within a few days I had created a website, listened to hours of podcasts about running a writing business and signed up for (and taken) multiple courses on freelance writing. My templates were in order, my portfolio was built; I was ready to begin cold pitching!
But, then, an interesting thing happened. I went back to work after the holiday week. I disclosed my side hustle. I began to let people know I was starting a freelance writing business. All of a sudden, I was getting outreach from folks within my network. “Hey, I heard you’re doing this writing thing…can you help me with my resume?” and “That’s cool about you freelance writing…can you help me with a speech? My Linked In profile? My bio? A blog post?”
Amidst all this, I took on some contract work doing social media and other marketing content. This gave me the confidence to make the official decision and six months after the side hustle began, I submitted my resignation.
And, then, the email that would change everything from a (now) dear friend. “Congratulations on your writing gig! I’m working on a book right now. Would you be interested in being my writing coach?”
My response? “Heck yeah!… What’s a writing coach?”
And, thus, my journey to writing and book coaching began. The Open Book Company was born soon after.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but the bumps haven’t been completely unwelcome. They have always provided me with opportunities to learn, to grow or to pivot (even if I can’t see that clearly in the moment).
On my worst days “in the office” I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else right now, and I am filled with so much gratitude to be able to say that.
We’ve been impressed with The Open Book Company, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In 2021, I founded The Open Book Company because I wanted other writers (and writing imposters, like me) to have a safe space to write and to find support. I am here to help support folks on their journey to plan, complete and publish their non-fiction book or memoir. I also partner with individuals to edit their full-length manuscript or shorter form content, such as blog posts, essays, articles, and speeches.
My clients have gone on to traditionally publish and self-publish books with meaning, purpose and impact.
In addition to one-on-one and group coaching, I run a global, virtual community to help provide structure, accountability and support for people who want to create more of a steady rhythm for writing in their lives. Our community has no expectations, no pressure and no toxic positivity. Writing can be a very solitary process, but no one has to go it alone.
My coaching practice is rooted in empathy, authenticity and self-compassion. Great writing starts with great listening, and together my clients and I explore their individual goals and amplify their voice. Essentially, I’m here to help people tell their story.
Inspired by my clients and community, my own personal writing has been reignited. I now post periodically to my Substack newsletter and have returned to my intended roots: freelance writing. I’m also in the process of editing and co-authoring a personal essay collection, due out in spring 2025.
What matters most to you? Why?
Wow. This question! So many things come up for me when I think about what matters, starting with my family, my loved ones and my broader community. If I go a step beyond that inner circle, I’ll share a bit about what I have recently identified as my life’s purpose (not to be too hyperbolic) because that matters deeply to me. It is to help others to feel seen, heard, accepted and loved as they are. I have anecdotes around this “mission” from the time I was in elementary school. It has followed me through countless job titles, industries, and decades; it is my through-line.
Two main values allow me to fulfill my purpose in my business and creative life: freedom and alignment. Freedom includes freedom to…decide what to do and with whom, make my own decisions, speak freely, explore my personal growth, and spend my energy and time how I choose. It involves the ability to live authentically and to change my mind or behavior once I learn something new. Alignment for me is about connecting with my values, prioritizing my mental and physical health and speaking what I believe, even if it will cost something.
These values manifest themselves within the philosophy behind The Open Book Company. There is a huge grey area between becoming a NYTimes Bestselling author and never picking up a pen to write one word. I love to play with people in that grey area, sometimes exploring what freedom and alignment might look like for them through the written word.
It’s important to me that people know that you don’t need a major book deal, a spot on a global stage or a PhD in English Lit to have a story worth telling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.openbookco.com/
- Instagram: @theopenbookcompany
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theopenbookcompany/
- Other: https://openbookco.substack.com/
