A meeting with the devil in a NDE
SARAH BULLEN
Author. Speaker. Literary Agent. NDE Experiencer. Cancer Survivor.
Sarah Bullen is a multi-published author and writing coach and literary agent, leading international writing retreats and adventures in Europe and Africa. She is the author of Write your Book in 100 Days and is a former financial and magazine journalist writing for titles such as Marie Claire, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan and Psychologies UK.
Sarah had a life-altering near-death experience in her 30s where she was in a coma for three weeks. Her story has become a book Love & Above: A journey into shamanism, coma and joy. Her latest book The Other Side: Journeys into Mysticism, Magic and Near Death follows on from that and gathers riveting and radical stories of people from Africa, who have crossed to the ‘other side’ or those who can contact it.
In 2012, Sarah Bullen's life underwent a profound transformation. At the time, she was a vibrant group editor of a publishing company, a dedicated mother to two young children, and an enthusiastic runner. Her world was turned upside down when her husband of ten years was diagnosed with brain cancer. Amidst the challenges of balancing a demanding career and family life, Sarah's own health deteriorated dramatically. She fell gravely ill with acute viral pneumonia, slipped into a coma, and faced a critical battle for survival.
Emerging from the coma and grappling with the loss of her husband, Sarah experienced a tumultuous period of grief and recovery. Her journey was marked by intense personal struggle and emotional upheaval, but her resilience and determination led her to rebuild her life. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, she returned to running and physical activity, gradually reclaiming her strength and vitality.
Sarah's remarkable story is captured in her books Love and Above and The Other Side, which delve into her journey through near-death experiences, cancer survival, and personal transformation. These works reflect the wisdom and insight gained from her extraordinary life experiences.
Today, Sarah Bullen is a remarkable author, speaker, and literary agent whose work is deeply informed by her personal journey. As a speaker and mentor, she uses her voice to inspire and support others, offering guidance and hope based on her experiences of loss and recovery. Her unique perspective, shaped by her life and professional expertise, allows her to connect with and empower others as they navigate their own challenges and seek healing.
Sarah is herself a cancer survivor. In 2016, four years after her husband died of brain cancer, she found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Cancer. The word she had run from.
Sarah Bullen is a prolific author whose books explore profound and transformative experiences. Her writing often delves into themes of life, death, and the mystical realms in between. Readers can expect captivating narratives, deep insights, and a journey through the human spirit.
When she is not talking about soul travels and NDEs, Sarah works with authors as a book coach and agent. She has had over 180 books published by writers she has mentored over the last two decades. She has held editorial roles across both books, magazines, and literary agencies. Her expertise in writing and publishing provides invaluable guidance to aspiring authors, helping them develop their craft, structure their stories, and navigate the complexities of the publishing world.
What Readers can Expect
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Riveting Stories: Sarah’s books are filled with engaging tales that draw readers into the worlds she creates.
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Profound Themes: Her work often explores deep, existential questions and mystical experiences.
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Inspiring Journeys: Sarah’s personal experiences and storytelling prowess offer readers a unique perspective on life's greatest mysteries.
In addition to her extensive writing career, Sarah Bullen offers personalized coaching and mentorship to aspiring authors. With a wealth of experience and expertise, she has guided numerous writers to success, resulting in the publication of over 180 books. Sarah provides practical tools and insights to help authors bring their stories to life and achieve their publishing goals, making her mentorship a valuable asset for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of writing and publishing.
Sarah Bullen - The Writing Coach and Agent
Sarah's journey into the world of writing began with a successful 10-year career as a journalist. Her work appeared in prestigious publications such as Men's Health, Woman's Health, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, The Guardian, and The New York Times. Her engaging and humorous style led to her first book commission in 2005. Hey Baby! The Hip New Mom's Guide That's All About You (Penguin, 2005) became an unexpected bestseller, cementing her place as a sought-after speaker and writer for new mom’s groups and baby expos.
Following the success of her debut, Sarah released Romance 101! Can Your Relationship Survive Your Kids and Other Passion Killers? (Penguin, 2007), which expanded on themes from her magazine columns. Her career evolved as she transitioned from magazine editing to consulting with publishers as a structural editor. In 2007, Sarah acquired a franchise for a writing school focused on novel writing, teaching romance writing courses backed by Avon Publishing.
In 2009, she founded The Writing Room in Cape Town, South Africa, which has since become a premier destination for aspiring writers. Under her guidance, The Writing Room has expanded its offerings to include courses in novel writing, memoir, and non-fiction, mentoring over 1,000 authors globally.
Sarah’s influence extends beyond her books and courses. She has been featured in a wide range of media, including Elle Decoration, Women's Health, Men's Health, Marie Claire, House and Leisure, The Guardian, and Cape Talk. Her extensive experience as a magazine publisher and editor, combined with her role as a personal finance editor and radio news editor, has shaped her multifaceted approach to writing and mentorship.
Sarah Bullen is a seasoned MC and event host, known for her captivating author talks and engaging interviews with other authors. She is a professional keynote speaker at business events, conferences, and workshops.
As a multi-published author, international writing coach, and literary agent, Sarah Bullen is a prominent figure in the literary world. She founded The Writing Room and Kent Literary, successfully mentoring writers to publish over 180 books. Sarah is a frequent guest on talk shows, podcasts, and writers’ circles and has been leading international writing retreats and adventures since 2007.
Sarah Bullen has been telling traditional oral stories professionally since 2014. She continues the tradition of old storytellers and bards, sharing tales at retreats, women’s gatherings, sharing circles, and ritual events. Her repertoire includes Norwegian wonder tales, African creation myths, and old Celtic poems. Stories of Beowulf, The Lindworm Prince, and Tatterhood are among those she shares, bringing ancient stories to modern audiences.
Stories That Transcend Time and Borders
These stories delve into dark forests and dangerous missions, life and death, and transitions. They are tales that connect to the soul and offer answers to life’s deeper challenges. Whether it’s a Norwegian wonder tale or an African creation myth, Sarah’s storytelling captivates and inspires.
Living the Storyteller’s Life
Sarah Bullen lives in Cape Town and spends part of the year in Greece and Botswana. She is a qualified African Constellations facilitator and works with Writing with the Ancestors. She engages in traditional rites of passage storytelling, curates storytelling retreats, and facilitates women's rites of passage. Her unique approach and international lifestyle enrich her storytelling, making her a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary life.
SERVICES
At The Writing Room, Sarah Bullen offers a range of services to support writers at every stage of their journey. If you have a book in you but prefer not to write it yourself, her professional ghostwriting services will bring your vision to life. Her manuscript appraisals provide detailed feedback to refine your work, and her personalized mentorship programs offer ongoing guidance and support. Sarah and her expert team are here to help you bring your stories to life and guide you through the writing process and beyond.
NEED HELP BRINING YOUR BOOK TO LIFE?
AUTHOR, SPEAKER AND NDE SURVIVOR
SARAH BULLEN - THE WRITING COACH AND AGENT
Sarah's own story is inspirational has taken her to stages all over the world. In hwe mid 30s and with two young children, Sarah fell ill with pneumonia and ended up fighting for her life, in a coma and on life support. During that time she had an extended three-week long Near Death Experience. This journey is the story in her book Love and Above: A journey through shamanism, coma and joy. (2022 Tafelberg) and The Other Side (release date 2024).
How did this crazy fight for life happen? A three-week long coma and a NDE that lasted as long?
She was just 34 with a young family when her husband discovered he had a brain tumour. As he pursued a shamanic path to fight the cancer, they were both catapulted into a strange and magical world of ritual and ceremony. Then the impossible happened. As he entered his last weeks of life - Sarah too ended up fighting for her own life, in a coma on life support. She was to remain in the coma for four weeks and travelled through near-death and into other realms and worlds. Her three week journey was recorded in magazines and has become a NDE story that captivates audiences from USA to UK and in magazines from Marie Claire to Men’s Health and on talk shows and stages.
After her husband died of brain cancer in 2012 she moved to a Greece island to heal, write and run writers retreats. and has consistently supported authors for the last decade. She is the founder of Black Ink Books, and works with publishers around the globe in English-speaking territories.
Sarah is herself a cancer survivor. She had cancer four years after her husband died of brain cancer. That was in 2016. Sarah Bullen lives in Cape Town and spends part of the year in Greece and Botswana. She is a qualified African Constellations facilitator and works with Writing with the Ancestors. She does traditional rites of passage storytelling and curating storytelling retreats, and facilitating women's rites of passage.