Your full name
Ilana Ridge. (LinkedIn.)
Your book title
The Bible of Spirit. (Buy here.)
If you had to pitch your book in a single sentence, what would you say?
The Bible of Spirit is part guide, part memoir, and part spiritual transmission—a powerful journey inward that invites readers to unravel pain, remember truth, and return to the sacred intelligence that guides all healing and living.
What makes your book different?
Unlike traditional self-help books that try to fix you or offer quick solutions, The Bible of Spirit doesn’t follow a linear path. It’s a soul-led, personal journey through trauma, healing, and transformation. Part memoir, part guide, and part spiritual invitation, this book calls us to return to presence, and to the sacred intelligence that lives within all of us. It shows that healing and becoming are not linear. They spiral. And the spiral is the natural shape of true transformation. This isn’t a book to race through. It’s one to return to, as your own journey unfolds. It will meet you wherever you are and gently guide you inward.
Who is your ideal reader, and what do you hope they get from reading your book?
My ideal reader is someone who feels a disconnect inside, still trying to become something they think they should be, or what others have expected of them. They may be navigating burnout, grief, or a life transition. They might not even know what’s wrong, only that something is missing. They’ve done the work, but still feel lost, stuck, or restless. This book is especially for those navigating midlife or moments of personal transformation. People questioning old roles, identities, or expectations, and longing to reconnect with what feels real.
What I hope they get from The Bible of Spirit is the deep knowing that they are not broken. That healing doesn’t have to be linear or perfect. That presence, compassion, and self-honesty are the way through. I hope it helps them turn inward. We’re often taught to look outside ourselves for answers, but the answers aren’t out there. They never have been.
At the core of The Bible of Spirit is a simple remembering:
Everything you seek is already within you.
Love, presence, your truth. They were never lost, only buried beneath pain, conditioning, and judgment. The work is not to strive or perform your way to wholeness, but to uncover, unburden, and remember.
What is your full-time profession?
I am Leadership coach, retreat facilitator, and personal transformation guide, and now unexpectedly, a published author (wannabe no more).
YOUR WRITING PROCESS
What inspired you to begin writing this book?
To be honest, I didn’t set out to write a book. I was nudged into it. The nudges became whispers, and eventually I knew it was time. Parts of this book felt like they came through me, rather than from me. It came through in the way some things do when you’re listening deeply, not from the thinking mind, but from a place beyond it. I don’t need to label it. I just followed my intuition.
I also believe we all have a story. And I believe many of us carry traumatic experiences that have been buried in silence or shame. I wanted to give shame a voice and not to stay in the pain, but to create a sense of safety, honesty, and hope. If my story helps someone feel less alone, and shows them a way toward healing, remembering who they are beneath their experiences, and returning to self-love, then the writing was worth it.
My work as a coach is all about supporting people to find their inner leader and compass. This book became an extension of that same commitment. To walk with people inward, toward presence, and what’s true beneath the roles, masks, and coping mechanisms.
How long did it take you to complete your book’s final draft?
It’s a hard question to answer simply. In one sense, it took me eight months this year to bring it all together on paper. But in another sense, it’s been 23 years in the making, a result of the inner spiral I’ve been walking through my own healing, journaling, and lived experiences. The writing process was about gathering those pieces, giving them language, and letting them find their shape. So while the pages came together this year, the journey behind them has been unfolding for over two decades.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in writing your book, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was allowing myself to be fully seen. The book is deeply personal. It touches on trauma, shame, and parts of my life I haven’t always shared openly. There were moments I questioned whether I had gone too far, or whether it was too much.
Another side to this was knowing that my family, especially my mother, brother and sons, might find parts of it difficult. Exposing myself in this way could be misunderstood or misinterpreted by those closest to me. I’ve had some long and honest conversations to make sure the sanctity, respect, and love in those relationships remain intact. That has been important to me.
Another challenge was trusting the structure. Because the book doesn’t follow a traditional format, I sometimes doubted whether it would make sense to anyone else. I had to let go of the need to explain everything and allow the writing to unfold as it needed to.
There was also the challenge of time. As a full-time coach, I had to reduce my working hours to make space for writing. That wasn’t always easy, but I overcame it by trusting myself and trusting that the timing and process were exactly right for now.
In the end, I kept coming back to my “why.” This book was never about being perfect. It was about being real. And if it helps even one person feel less alone or more connected to themselves, then every challenge was worth it.
How did you approach the editing and proofreading stages of your book?
I had no formal experience in writing a book, so I asked for support from the beginning. I reached out for guidance, and I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful people who have helped me through the process and are still supporting me now.
Because the book is so personal, the first draft came out very raw and unfiltered. I knew I needed professional help to shape it into something clear and accessible, without losing the heart of the message. I worked with a highly recommended editor, and I also used ChatGPT to help me refine the complex structure, language, and flow while staying true to my voice and tone.
Once the structural edits were complete, we moved into detailed proofreading to catch any language issues, repetition, or formatting inconsistencies. I also gave myself time to step away from the manuscript between rounds so I could return to it with fresh eyes.
MYeBook has been a wonderful part of this journey, guiding me through many of the technical and publishing decisions. The editing process didn’t take anything away. If anything, it helped the message become even more true.
What surprised you most about the writing or publishing process for this book?
What surprised me most is how complex and all-consuming it is. Writing a book is not just about putting words on paper. It requires emotional vulnerability, deep commitment, and an ability to stay with the process, even when it’s uncomfortable or confronting.
I didn’t expect how many decisions there would be, or how many stages it would take to shape the work into something ready for the world. From editing to layout, from pricing to distribution, it’s a world of its own.
I also had to learn when to ask for help, and how to receive it. I’ve had to let go of perfectionism and trust that the book is what it needs to be. I am surprised at how it’s stretched me, and how it’s also changed me.
YOUR SELF-PUBLISHING JOURNEY
What made you decide to opt for the self-publishing route for your book?
I chose to self-publish because I wanted to maintain creative control and honour the integrity of the message without needing to dilute or reshape it to fit a traditional model.
Time was also a big factor. As a first-time author, I realised how long it can take to hear back from publishing houses — if at all. I didn’t want the book to sit on someone’s desk for months or years while I waited for permission to share it.
Self-publishing gave me the freedom to work with my own timing, voice, and vision. It also gave me flexibility around pricing and distribution, which mattered to me because accessibility is important in this kind of work.
That said, the process has come with its own learning curve and challenges. I’m definitely open to working with a publisher in the future, especially now that I’ve been through the process and understand the landscape a bit better. But for this book, this path felt right.
Could you share a key learning experience from the self-publishing process?
One of the biggest things I learned is that self-publishing isn’t just about writing a book, it’s about managing a full project. There are so many moving parts: editing, layout, pricing, platforms, marketing, distribution. Each stage brings decisions and learning, and at times it can feel overwhelming.
If I could go back, I would definitely suggest creating a budget before you begin. Publishing can be a costly process, especially if you want to do it well. Knowing that upfront makes a big difference.
What helped me most was knowing when to ask for help and when to let go of doing it all perfectly. It’s also so important to have people in your corner, friends, family, or professionals who can offer support, encouragement, or just a sounding board when you need it.
In the end, I realised that publishing a book is not about control. It’s about clarity, collaboration, and trusting the process. It stretched me more than I expected, but it also showed me what’s possible when you stay connected to your “why.”
What resources or tools did you find most valuable during your self-publishing journey?
I leaned on quite a few resources and people during the process, and each one played a different but important role.
My editor was essential in helping shape the structure and emotional clarity of the book. I also used ChatGPT to help me weave together 23 years of work into a workable structure while still staying true to my voice.
The MyeBook team have been an incredible guide in helping me navigate the publishing landscape; from formatting to platform setup to pricing decisions. Their support made a complex process feel more manageable. Their typesetter brought the book to life visually with great care and attention to detail. The layout and design process felt collaborative, and the final result reflects the depth of the content beautifully.
I’m also working with social media and marketing professionals to shape the communication side of the launch and build visibility in a way that feels authentic and aligned.
The biggest lesson was this: you don’t have to do it all alone. The right support makes all the difference.
For your next book, what would you do differently when it comes to the writing / publishing process?
I would plan more intentionally from the beginning, especially around structure, time, and budget. This first book was such a personal unfolding that I had to discover the path as I walked it. Now that I’ve been through the full process, I have a clearer view of what’s involved and what kind of support is needed at each stage.
I’d also give myself more time for review and refinement between writing phases, rather than trying to do everything in long, intense stretches. Pacing really matters.
That said, I also learned how valuable isolated, uninterrupted time can be, especially during the body of the writing process, before editing begins. Having focused space for the creative flow made a big difference, and I’d love to carve out more of that next time.
I would also build my launch and marketing timeline much earlier, so everything flows more smoothly once the book is ready to meet the world.
And while self-publishing was the right choice for The Bible of Spirit, I may consider working with a publisher in the future, not just for reach, but also to experience a different part of the creative and publishing process.
That said, I wouldn’t change the heart of how this book came together. The spontaneity, the surrender, and the realness were part of what made it what it is.
MARKETING AND BOOK PROMOTION
Have you written any other books?
The Bible of Spirit is my first book, and it has been a life-changing experience. That said, it will not be my last.
Writing this one has opened something in me. I already feel the next book beginning to stir, and I’m giving it space to arrive in its own time. There’s more I want to explore around presence, healing, and the deeper structures of transformation, especially through the lens of the spiral.
So, while this is my debut, it’s not the end of the story.
How are you planning to connect with and find new readers?
I’m building connections through a mix of online and offline channels. My focus is on creating authentic engagement rather than just promotion.
I’ll be sharing the book through my personal and professional networks, both locally and internationally, including clients, coaches, and communities I’ve worked with over the years. I’ve also partnered with social media and marketing professionals to help build visibility through digital platforms and campaigns that feel aligned with the spirit of the book.
In addition to online sharing, I’m hosting a physical book launch, reaching out to bookshops, and exploring local media opportunities. I’m also reaching out directly to people I admire, authors I’ve learned from, and communities I resonate with.
My philosophy is simple: if you don’t ask, there’s nothing to receive, and the worst that can happen is a no. There are a lot of yeses out there too. I’d rather ask, stay open, and trust the book will find the readers it’s meant for.
What advice would you give to other self-published authors struggling to promote their book/s?
I’m not sure I’m fully qualified to answer this just yet, I’m still very much in the process myself. But what I can say is this:
Stay committed. Keep showing up for your book, even if the results aren’t immediate. Don’t underestimate the power of your own network — the people who know you, believe in you, and are willing to share your work.
And above all, trust yourself. If the message matters to you, it will matter to others too. Let your book speak, and trust that the right readers will find it.
LOOKING AHEAD
What does success mean to you as an author?
Success isn’t measured by numbers for me. It’s measured by depth.
If this book touches someone in a way that shifts how they see themselves or helps them return to a part of themselves they thought was lost, that is success.
I didn’t write The Bible of Spirit to be famous. I wrote it to be of service. But I’ve also come to honour the paradox: that being of service doesn’t mean self-sacrifice. Writing a book is meaningful work, and it’s okay to be paid for that work. Being remunerated is part of valuing the energy, time, and heart that went into creating it.
So yes, depth is success. Impact is success.
And being resourced to continue doing this work is success too.
Do you have any upcoming books or projects you can share with us?
Yes. I’m currently developing a new offering called The Inner Leader, which is designed to support people in reconnecting with their own wisdom, presence, and purpose, especially in leadership and life transitions. It will bring together many of the practices and principles I’ve worked with for years, now offered in a more structured and accessible way.
I’m also slowly beginning work on my next book, titled The Architecture of Becoming. It will build on the foundations of The Bible of Spirit, exploring deeper patterns of healing, inner transformation, and the spiral nature of personal growth.
Both projects have only just begun to unfold, and they’ll receive more focused attention once The Bible of Spirit has fully launched and is out in the world.
Where can our readers find out more about you and your book?
You can find more about me and The Bible of Spirit on my website and social media platforms. The book will be available through major online retailers and my website.
If you have an author or book website, please share the link.
