Gift Guide: Services Spotlight with Shelly Lee of Pen.Paper.Publish

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Shelly Lee again. We’re excited to feature one of their services in our gift guide – learn more below and we encourage you to use your gift budget to support small businesses & creatives whenever possible.

Shelly, we loved learning your story, but I think our audience is going to appreciate learning about the services you provide as well. So, maybe you can help bring everyone up to speed?
I’m so excited to share more about the services I offer as an author coach! My main goal is to help aspiring authors take their ideas from dreams to reality. One of the core services I provide is my 90-day coaching program, “Write Your Book in 90 Days or Less with No Stress.” This service is designed to guide authors through every stage of their writing journey—whether they’re just getting started, need help staying on track, or feel overwhelmed with the idea of writing and publishing a book.

What Inspired Me
The inspiration for this service comes from my own journey as an author and the struggles I’ve seen others face while trying to write their books. Many aspiring authors get stuck at the starting line, unsure of where to begin, while others start strong but find it hard to finish. I’ve been there, and I want to help others avoid those same obstacles. My approach blends structure and encouragement to ensure writers feel confident and capable throughout the process. I understand the fear and frustration that can come with writing, and my goal is to simplify it and make it feel achievable.

Key Components of the Service
Pray: Establishing a positive mindset is crucial. This phase involves reflecting on personal goals, identifying potential barriers, and creating a mindset of success.
Plan: This is where we break down the manuscript into manageable chunks. We outline the structure of the book, making it clear and achievable.
Pen: Together, we write! I help you create a consistent writing schedule, guide you through the drafting process, and provide feedback.
Proof: Once the first draft is done, we work on refining it. This includes editing for clarity, structure, and flow.
Publish: I walk you through the final steps of self-publishing, from preparing your manuscript to choosing the right publishing platform and launching your book to the world.
The Problem I Solve
The main challenge aspiring authors face is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the writing and publishing process. There’s often a gap between the desire to write a book and the practical steps it takes to get there. Many people also struggle with time management, self-doubt, or the fear of not being “good enough.” The market lacked a structured yet flexible approach that provides not only practical steps but also emotional support throughout the entire journey.

This is where my program fills the gap. It’s more than just a writing course; it’s a supportive, hands-on coaching experience designed to guide individuals step-by-step, no matter their level of experience. The program is designed to break down the big task of writing a book into smaller, manageable pieces, helping authors avoid feeling stuck and instead stay focused and motivated.

What Makes It Unique
What makes my service unique is the blend of spiritual support and practical writing guidance. As a Christian author, I integrate prayer, affirmations, and positive mindset work alongside actionable writing steps. This approach not only addresses the technical aspects of writing but also nurtures the heart and mind of the writer, ensuring they stay motivated and focused.

Additionally, my program is designed to be flexible yet structured, providing both freedom and support. It’s perfect for those who feel overwhelmed by the idea of writing a book but need a clear, actionable plan to turn their ideas into reality.

Who Is It For
This service is ideal for aspiring authors who:

Feel stuck or overwhelmed by the idea of writing a book.
Need guidance on how to plan, write, and publish a book in a manageable timeframe.
Want a supportive coach who understands the emotional and spiritual aspects of the writing journey.
Are looking for a simple, step-by-step process to help them achieve their writing goals without stress.
Ultimately, my service is designed for anyone who has a story to share but needs the right support, structure, and encouragement to make it happen.

Can you paint a picture for prospective clients of what they can expect if they work with you?
Typical Turnaround Time, Results, and What Clients Can Expect When someone works with me, the typical turnaround time to complete their book—from start to finish—is about 90 days. This timeline is based on my proven system that breaks the process down into manageable stages: Pray, Plan, Pen, Proof, and Publish. Each stage is designed to keep the author moving forward while providing flexibility based on their individual needs and pace.

Pray: This phase focuses on mindset and spiritual support, giving you the mental clarity and confidence to write your book. It typically takes 1-2 weeks to build a solid foundation.
Plan: The planning phase is where we map out your book outline and structure, taking about 2 weeks to complete. By the end of this phase, you’ll know exactly what each chapter will contain, making the writing process easier and more focused.
Pen: This is the writing phase, where you’ll draft your manuscript. I’ll provide feedback and motivation throughout. This usually takes 5-7 weeks, depending on the author’s pace.
Proof: Editing and refining the manuscript to prepare it for publication, which typically takes 2-3 weeks.
Publish: This final phase helps you launch your book, whether through self-publishing or traditional methods. We’ll work on finalizing the details, and this can take about 2 weeks.
What clients can expect during this journey is a highly personalized experience. From day one, you’ll feel supported, both practically and emotionally, as you work through challenges and celebrate small wins. Every phase has specific tasks, but we also keep the space open for creativity, flexibility, and growth.

The impact of working with me is profound. By the end of our time together, you won’t just have a finished manuscript—you’ll also have developed the confidence, clarity, and skills needed to share your message with the world. You’ll feel empowered as an author, ready to take the next steps in your publishing journey, and knowing exactly how to repeat this process for future projects.

Throughout the process, I stay with you every step of the way, offering encouragement, tools, and guidance to make sure you reach your goal. My clients often find that they not only finish their book but that they’ve grown in the process, gaining confidence in their voice and their ability to succeed as authors.

Is there a core message, value or ethos you are trying to communicate through your branding and marketing?
Core Message and Ethos Behind My Branding and Marketing At the heart of my branding and marketing efforts is the message: “No More Excuses.” As an author coach, my mission is to help aspiring authors break through the mental, emotional, and logistical barriers that prevent them from writing and publishing their books. Many of my clients come to me with a burning desire to write but are often held back by self-doubt, fear, or the feeling that they don’t have enough time or resources.

The “No More Excuses” ethos is about empowering people to stop waiting for the “perfect time” or “perfect conditions” and to start taking action toward their dreams. It’s about removing the internal and external barriers that hold them back. Whether it’s fear of failure or simply not knowing where to begin, I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and my job is to help them bring it to life.

In terms of marketing, this message is woven into everything I do—from the content I create to the services I offer. My courses, such as “Write Your Book in 90 Days or Less with No Stress”, are built on the belief that anyone can write and publish a book in a relatively short amount of time if they are committed and have the right support. The value I offer is not just in teaching people how to write a book, but in giving them the mindset and the tools to follow through—something I find most aspiring authors struggle with.

I also work with my clients to develop confidence in their voice and clarity in their purpose, helping them to see that writing is not just a task but a journey of growth. This message is consistently communicated in my newsletters, social media posts, and coaching sessions.

Through my marketing, I aim to demonstrate that writing is for everyone, and that success comes not from waiting for the “right” moment but from taking consistent action, no matter how small. It’s about turning that desire into a finished book, and ultimately into a career that allows them to express themselves fully.

This approach resonates with those who are ready to stop making excuses and finally take control of their writing journey. My goal is to provide them with a step-by-step roadmap that’s simple, actionable, and tailored to their unique voice and goals.

What has been the biggest surprise for you along this journey?
The biggest surprise has been the personal transformation I see in my clients alongside their writing progress. When I first started, I thought my role would primarily be about helping them complete their books—helping with structure, drafts, and publication. What I didn’t anticipate was how much their confidence and sense of self would grow in the process. Many of my clients start unsure, but as we work together, they grow more empowered, realizing their stories matter, and their voices are powerful.

On a personal level, I’ve also been surprised by the joy and fulfillment I feel seeing them take this journey. Every client teaches me something new about resilience, creativity, and perseverance. The most rewarding moment is when they hold their completed book and realize they’ve achieved something they once thought was impossible.