In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, I share my haphazard journey of writing and publishing my first book, ‘The Freelance Lifestyle’. I’ve delved into the 15-year (!) process, detailing the struggles faced due to undiagnosed ADHD, the importance of a support system with a focus on their collaboration with an ADHD-specific book coach, and the practical steps taken to make freelancing accessible.
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!
.
Prefer to read it? Here are the main points!
Writing the Book I Once Thought I Couldn’t Finish
This week’s episode of The Freelancer’s Tea Break is a slightly different one. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at something I’ve been quietly working towards for a very long time: the book I’ve finally written.
In many ways, this book started years ago. Back in 2009, when I first went freelance, I was sharing thoughts and advice on Twitter, writing blog posts, recording podcast episodes, and later creating courses. I always knew there was a book in there somewhere. I just never believed I was capable of writing it.
A lot of that came down to undiagnosed ADHD and the limiting beliefs that came with it. I thought I couldn’t focus long enough, that I wasn’t “academic” enough, or that I simply wouldn’t finish. Over time, and especially over the last few years, that belief slowly shifted. With the right support, structure, and tools, I realised I could do this.
And so, The Freelance Lifestyle was written.
Who This Book Is Really For
I didn’t write this book for people chasing six-figure businesses or trying to dominate their industry. That might be a side effect for some, but it was never the goal.
This book is for people who are considering freelancing, or who have just started and feel a bit lost. It’s for people who care deeply about what they do, who want flexibility, and who are often balancing work with caring responsibilities, health challenges, neurodiversity, or simply a desire for a more sustainable way of living.
It’s also for people who never quite felt like they fitted into corporate life and want more control over their time, energy, and work.
I wanted to write something practical, calm, and human. A book that explains the scary stuff in plain language and doesn’t assume prior knowledge or confidence.
What’s Inside The Freelance Lifestyle
The book walks step by step through what freelancing actually involves, without overcomplicating things or pretending there’s one right way to do it.
It covers:
Thinking about going freelance and what to consider before you start
Simple planning without rigid business plans
Finding clients and managing income and outgoings
Tax, National Insurance, pensions, and financial support, including Universal Credit and Access to Work
Contracts, terms and conditions, and handling difficult situations
Looking after your mental and physical health as a freelancer
Future-proofing your work and adapting as things change
It’s UK-focused, particularly around systems and legislation, but much of it will still feel relevant wherever you’re based.
My hope is that it becomes a book you can return to. One you underline, add notes to, and dip back into when you need reassurance or clarity.
How I Actually Wrote the Book
The writing process itself surprised me. I loved it far more than I expected to.
Rather than pulling together old content, I wrote the book fresh. That felt simpler for my brain and allowed everything to flow properly. I worked weekly with Gail, a book coach who specialises in supporting people with ADHD, using body doubling sessions where I wrote while she was there. That accountability was essential.
Blocking the time in my diary made a huge difference. Once it was scheduled, I didn’t have to think about when I would write. Momentum did the rest.
Editing, however, was hard. Once I’ve finished something, my brain really resists going back over it. This is where having support mattered. Gail helped with editing, author friends gave thoughtful feedback, and I used tools sparingly to check structure and repetition.
This wasn’t about perfection. It was about finishing.
Tools, Costs, and Choices Along the Way
I kept things relatively simple. I wrote the book in Google Docs, which worked well until the document became very large. If I were doing it again, I might explore alternatives, but for getting words down, simplicity helped.
I chose to self-publish. I did pitch to publishers, but the feedback suggested self-publishing or hybrid would be the best fit. For this book, control and accessibility mattered more than chasing a traditional deal.
There were costs involved, including:
A professionally designed book cover
Working with a book coach
ISBNs for different formats
None of this is essential for everyone, but for me, those investments made finishing the book possible.
What Writing This Changed for Me
Writing The Freelance Lifestyle did something I didn’t expect. It challenged a long-held belief that I couldn’t complete big, sustained projects.
Between finishing the book and completing my ILM7 qualification, last year proved to me that I can do long-form work when it’s supported properly. That’s been incredibly grounding, both personally and professionally.
I’m proud of the book, but I’m also proud of the process. It was messy, imperfect, and very human. And that feels fitting.
If You’re Curious or Want to Go Further
If you’re thinking about freelancing, already freelance, or just want a practical, reassuring guide you can return to, I’d love you to take a look at The Freelance Lifestyle. So here is the pre-order link The Freelance Lifestyle.
If you have questions about the writing process, freelancing, or anything you’d like me to explore further, feel free to message me. I’ll be talking more about writing with ADHD with Gail Doggett in next week’s episode.
And if you know someone who would benefit from this book, sharing it would mean a great deal.
Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Bluesky
Email: hello@emmacossey.com
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community.
