The Mountain Academics Rarely Talk About 

For many academics, publishing a book isn’t optional — it’s part of the job. It builds research profile, supports promotion, and is often written into annual KPIs. But almost no one is taught how to actually get it done. There’s no shortage of ideas or expertise. What’s missing is a process, dedicated time, and someone holding them accountable to the page. 

Dr. Nurul Hanim Romainoor, who organized the workshop through USM’s School of the Arts, had been carrying a book idea for over a year — a guide built from her own research methods course modules. “I wanted to write it based on what I already teach,” she said. “But between running my department, teaching, supervising students, writing grants, and family commitments, it felt like a mountain I’d never get to climb.” 

During the workshop, she committed 48 hours to implementing the method with hands-on support from the facilitator — and finished. Her book, Creative Research Blueprint, is now live. 

“This workshop rewired how I think about writing,” she said. “Dr. Izdihar showed us a method that was simple, effective, and results-based — and in 48 hours, I had a finished book to show for it, something I couldn’t do in over a year on my own.” 

The Method Behind the Weekend 

The workshop was led by Dr. Izdihar Jamil, Ph.D., a 21x bestselling author and storyteller based in California, using her proprietary three-stage method — developed over years of helping more than 300 leaders and authors write and publish their books. 

She was assisted by Azzura Nordin, a lecturer at UiTM Shah Alam, who attended Dr. Izdihar’s workshop last year and has since published three books using the same method — including The Art of Going Alone. Azzura returned this time as part of the facilitation team, helping participants troubleshoot in real time. 

The method itself breaks down into three stages, known as S-C-E: Structure — mapping the book’s framework, reader experience, and central theme before a single chapter is drafted; Content — writing toward one clear question: how does this solve the reader’s problem; and Execution — preparing the manuscript for publication and getting it live. Each participant moved through all three stages inside the same 48 hours. 

“People don’t fail to write books because they lack ideas or expertise,” said Dr. Izdihar Jamil. “They fail because no one ever gave them a process built for how busy professionals actually think and work. This weekend, ten academics proved it works in real time, not in theory.” 

First Across the Finish Line 

Omar Nasrallah was the first participant to complete his book — finishing well ahead of the two-day mark. His book, The AI Classroom Guide, was written for teachers drowning in admin work who want their time back. 

“This is my first book,” Omar said. “I wrote and published it in 48 hours, and I found the workshop to be very beneficial.” 

Ten Books, Ten Different Reasons to Finally Write 

The AI Classroom Guide by Omar Nasrallah — for teachers drowning in admin work who want their time back 

Microsoft Office Made Easy by Fuad Fatafah — built so a child could finally follow along without a parent hovering 

Before They Splash by Syafiq Jamil — written by a parent who wants fewer families to know what a drowning scare feels like 

The Editorial Playbook by Shafinaz MDI — a practical guide for anyone tasked with writing, editing, and publishing university news without formal training in any of it 

Governing the AI Nation by Mohd Zulkarnain — a challenge to public leaders who are letting AI outrun policy 

From Broke to Vibe Coding by Soon Cheng Kam — a teenager’s proof that you don’t need permission to start over 

Finding Your Future by Atia Sharif — a career guide for teenagers who feel confused, pressured, or unsure of who they’re supposed to become 

Creative Research Blueprint™ by Dr. Nurul Hanim Romainoor — the book she carried for a year, finished in 48 hours 

The Art of Going Alone by Azzura Nordin — what solo travel taught her about courage, faith, and coming home 

Aku Sang Sutradara by Andika Aziz Hussin — a call to young Malaysians who want to see their creativity taken seriously 

Why This Matters Beyond One Weekend 

For universities, the math is hard to ignore. Publishing typically pulls faculty away from teaching, research, and family for a year or more. This model compresses that into two days — without asking academics to choose between their book and everything else on their plate. 

Dr. Izdihar Jamil has now helped over 300 leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics complete books using her Structure-Content-Execution method. Participants who want to start their own book using the same method can access her free author checklist at www.izdiharjamil.com. 

About the Facilitator: Dr. Izdihar Jamil, Ph.D. is a 21x bestselling author, TV host, and visibility expert who helps leaders and organizations use storytelling to build trust, amplify influence, and increase revenue — through books, media, stages, and effective business strategies. She is a TEDx Curator and has been featured on Forbes, TED.com, and FOX11 TV. She lives in California with her husband and children. In her free time, she loves baking and reading fiction. More info: www.izdiharjamil.com