About Grey Mouse Publishing

Hi, I’m Karen Brown, mum, author of over 100 books that have been published via a range of websites, including Amazon, Lulu, IngramSpark and BookBook.com.

Grey Mouse Publishing is my baby!

How it all began

I published my first book in 2012, and it was called “How to Optimize your LinkedIn profile”.

I wrote it, formatted it and created the book cover myself.

Whilst I thought it was the dog whatsits, and 1500+ copies of it were downloaded one weekend. However, with 20/20 hindsight, it wasn’t as good as it could have been and as a result it actually damaged my reputation.

Today I would have done things so much differently and would probably have a much better outcome.

You see, I wanted to use the book as my calling card, a way to show off my expertise. However, it was so badly done that it said amateur, not professional and turned people off. Know you? Tick. Like you? Tick! Trust you with my LinkedIn profile? Not so much!

Fast forward a few years, and I’ve learned so much:

• not to do my own book covers
• how to structure and format my books
• how to publish them on range of platforms
• why you need to build an author platform
• why you need to take time with your book!

That’s how my PUBLISH Method developed.

I started helping others publish their book in the last couple of years. Initially, taking a manuscript and formatting it for publishing on Amazon. Then creating the structure and layout of books, based partly on books I’d already published.

I found that I actually got more pleasure helping others publish their books than I did my own!

My journey as a publisher

It was only at the beginning of 2020 when someone suggested that I’d self-published so many books, and helped a friend publish hers, that I was as much a publisher as an author.

Whilst it was blindingly obvious to him, it hadn’t been to me, but it did make sense. And so, in keeping with my values and life purpose, I now help others publish their books. My clients tell me I’m also part business coach, part sounding board, trainer and tech support!

So why Grey Mouse Publishing?

I loved the idea that whilst a mouse is small, it can have a big impact and much bigger animals are afraid of it.

In Native American mythology, there is even a warrior mouse who is brave and tenacious, and that’s what I wanted to embody.

My mission:

To empower coaches, consultants and entrepreneurs to publish their own suite of books that they can sell, cross-sell and leverage.

You should be able to publish a book that elevates your profile, builds your authority and makes you money!!!

My values:

Kindness is at the heart of my business, along with integrity, creativity and fun.

If you’re not having fun, then what’s the point?

My clients:

They are primarily coaches and consultants looking to build a business around a book, but I have a range of supports that can help those who have already published a book, and would like to add a journal or planner to the mix.