Turning an idea into a book isn’t just about having something to say. It’s about how you say it, how you shape it, and who helps you along the way.
Charlie Levin recently caught up with Sarah Escobar and Corinne Murray, co-authors of Work Then Place: Navigating Modern Work and Where It Happens. Their approach to writing and publishing offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to bring a dense, idea-rich book to life and to write with a partner. If you’re writing nonfiction or building a thought-leadership project of your own, their experience offers more than just advice. It’s a working model.
From Bullet Points to Blueprint
The first version of Work Then Place wasn’t a book at all. It was 30 pages of bullet points, created by Sarah during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, she was working at Netflix and witnessing massive shifts in workplace strategy. She knew her insights had long-term value, so she wrote them down. But the result, by her own admission, wasn’t “real readable.”
This is something many nonfiction writers face. Deep expertise doesn’t automatically translate into accessible content. Sarah had the material, but not yet the format. It wasn’t until she partnered with Corinne that the raw ideas began to evolve into something that could meet readers where they are.
Finding the Right Co-Pilot
Corinne came into the project with her own experience in global workplace transformation and an eye for story and clarity. Sarah had the substance. Corinne brought the shape. Together, they turned technical insights into a compelling narrative.
They treated co-authorship as a strategic move. Corinne didn’t just contribute to the book. She helped transform its rhythm, tone, and accessibility. This kind of partnership, built on complementary strengths, shifted the project from “informational” to “impactful.”
Design Comes Before Drafts
Instead of jumping into more writing, Sarah and Corinne stepped back to figure out what the book actually needed to be. They took a focused retreat to Joshua Tree: just the two of them, a house, and all their raw content, cut into strips of paper. They laid everything out, reshuffled the pieces, and physically mapped out the flow of the book.
That work resulted in the framework behind Work Then Place, including its core acronym and structure. Only after this design session did they return to the writing process with clarity and direction.
Taking the time to design early on helped them avoid getting lost later.
Knowing What You Don’t Know
Sarah and Corinne were workplace strategy experts, but publishing was new territory. They quickly realized how much they didn’t know. Formatting for Amazon, using IngramSpark, understanding the editing process, making the content readable to non-experts—none of it was obvious.
That’s when they brought in Holly Hudson, an experienced book coach. Holly helped them clarify their voice, simplify the structure, and keep the book grounded in a reader-first perspective. She also introduced them to their publisher, Munn Avenue Press. Corinne admitted the editing process was far more intense than expected, but also essential to the quality of the final product.
Professional support was not an optional add-on. It was part of the foundation.
Publishing Is the Middle, Not the End
After the book was released, Sarah and Corinne kept going. Because they had trimmed so much content to keep the book tight and readable, they’re now developing a companion workbook. It includes tools, exercises, and frameworks that help readers take action on what they’ve learned.
This follow-up isn’t just bonus content. It’s a pathway to deepen impact, sustain momentum, and reach more people over time.
Final Thoughts
What Sarah and Corinne built with Work Then Place wasn’t just a book. It was a strategic, structured process. And for any author, especially those writing about complex or technical subjects, that process matters just as much as the product.
Clear planning, thoughtful collaboration, early support, and a roadmap for what comes next. These elements are what make a book work not just in terms of publishing, but in terms of real impact.
At Munn Avenue Press, we support authors who think big and build wisely.
📘 Where to Find the Book
Available now at:
Bookshop.org (supports independent bookstores)
If you are ready to share your own story, whether it is fiction, nonfiction, or a blend of both, Munn Avenue Press is here to help you bring it to life. If you would like to publish your book or your audiobook (or are just dreaming about it), let the MunnAvenuePress.com team help make your dream a reality.
Happy Writing! Charlie Levin, Publisher & Founder
🎧 Listen to the episode now on Munn Avenue Muse.
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