Lucie Wheeler is a women’s fiction and children’s writer and the author of The First Time Mums’ Club and Mums Just Wanna Have Fun with publishing heavyweight HarperCollins.

Lucie’s story and insights are absolutely fascinating and she was so lovely to chat to. She shared her writing journey with me, where she finds inspiration for her books and her top tips for aspiring authors.

Self-help book in progress? Here are some top tips and pitfalls to avoid when writing a self-help book.

The blurb is usually one of the first things a potential reader (or book buyer!) looks at, and yet it is often the last thing an author thinks about when writing their book. Like it or not, people do judge a book by its cover, and that includes the back! So how can you make sure your blurb is making the right first impression?⁠

Do you want your readers to feel like they’re walking in your shoes, experiencing a moment through your eyes? Using a little psychological sequencing in your memoir could be the answer.

Jess Sands is a successful graphic designer with over 15 years' experience and a a CV that is beyond impressive, designing books for Oxford University Press and Disney, including a Sunday Times best-seller (no biggie!). She shares her story and expert design tips, from choosing the right book designer to creating a successful brand.

Chloe Petrylak is an award-winning wildlife writer, editor and proofreader with 10 years' experience in the writing industry. After forging a successful career working on the likes of National Geographic Kids and The Week Junior magazines (impressive, much!?), she launched her freelance business, Chloe May Writes, in 2019 and hasn't looked back! She shares her journey to becoming a professional writer and editor, how she tackles the notorious imposter syndrome and her top advice for aspiring content writers.

Donna published her debut children’s picture book, Oh No, Bobo!, in 2019 with Quarto Publishing and has recently announced her second book, Farmer Llama, with Macmillan Publishers, which is due out next spring. I had the loveliest chat with Donna to find out about her journey to published author, from finding an agent to her top tips for aspiring children’s picture book writers.

My story: how I transitioned from a life in the military to a career in editing and proofreading.

Choosing to hire a proofreader or copyeditor is choosing to invest in yourself and your writing. But to get your desired return, it’s important you pick the right professional for the job. While the question of cost is a crucial deciding factor, it should by no means be the only one.

Navigating the editing process may feel like a minefield when you’re new to the editorial world, but it doesn’t have to be confusing.