Launching my second book
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, this month is National Book Month so it’s the perfect month for me to talk about the books I’ve written.
My first book – ‘The Hard Yards: Ten years of mistakes in building a micro business was published in October 2023. This book the story of how, after losing my dream job in television I had to pick myself up and reinvent myself. Now in my 50s, I share how, with little redundancy money, no business knowledge, training or expertise in running my own business – I started my own PR business.
I talk about the mistakes I made and the difficult situations I had to cope with, and how all of those experiences have helped me to build the six-figure turnover micro business that I now have.
By sharing my story and my mistakes, I hope I can help others’ who are thinking about following me down the self-employed business route to be able to navigate their journey without making some of those mistakes I made.
On November 11th I’m launching my second book – ‘Tales from a Backwater Journalist, which focuses on my years working in newspapers. This book is all about the different types of experiences I had while working as a journalist on local newspapers in the Southwest. I share some of the bizarre, funny, heartbreaking and serious stories that I came across in those years.
When writing both of my books I worked with a book mentor, Lis McDermott. You’ll probably find it very odd that someone who has spent most of their life telling stories would need a mentor to write a book.
There are two main reasons that I did. Firstly, I have so many stories, I need someone to help me whittle them down to a manageable number, but secondly and the most important – I need someone to keep me accountable. I’m so busy in my business that if I didn’t have dates in my diary to meet with Lis, I’d never have got around to starting, let alone, finishing my book.
The book launch for ‘Tales from a Backwater Journalist’ will be taking place in The View – Royal Wootton Bassett.
It isn’t just going to be a book launch – it will also be a night of celebration and fundraising for Ainslie’s Pavillion Project.
Alastair Greener is the MC for the evening. His own book, ‘Generationally Speaking: How to bridge the generation gap and communicate with confidence’ is also published in November.
A great friend of mine, Helena Eden is going to be performing an amazing song set including a mixture of her own original songs, rock, jazz and heartfelt ballads.
Lis, my book mentor, Asha Clearwater Thornton, my publishing partner from Turquoise Tiger and my cartoonist Morgan Gleave will also be joining me during the evening.
There will be a fun raffle for Ainslie’s Pavillion Project and £5 from each ticket price will also go directly to the charity.
I’m looking forward to sharing my latest book with everyone on the night!
Make sure you don’t miss out, book your seat here: https://scottmedia.uk/product/tales-from-a-backwater-journalist-book-launch/
If you are a client of mine, please email Hannah for a discounted ticket price: