Some days are really big days, and I just had one of them. It was the day I signed a deal with Hay House, for them to publish my first book! It is a book about freedom, written for anyone who feels trapped, stuck, hemmed in—not in control of their own time, money, or destiny. It is for people who are afraid that life is passing them by, but feel powerless to do anything about it. It is a timely self-empowerment manifesto: an inspiring and practical manual that will enable people to recognise that freedom is a choice. I am busy writing it now and cannot wait for it to be released worldwide in Spring 2017!
Hang on a minute. Let’s just rewind. Did someone just say I’m going to be a Hay House author? Am I dreaming? It certainly feels that way right now, because this is not just something on my ‘Do Before I’m 40 Bucket List’, but something I have been dreaming of for many years.
In case you’re curious about how it came about, I’ll share the story here. I warn you, this is going to be a long post, because I want to share all the pieces of how this particular dream has unfolded. So get yourself a nice cup of tea and we’ll begin… (Note: I would love for you to help me bring this book to life. Right at the end of this post there’s some info on how to get involved!)
This particular book is based on an idea that has been visiting me for a long time, but it never felt like the right moment to bring it to life. However, that all changed this time last year when I was planning my maternity leave, and decided it would be the perfect time to put together a book proposal (because I’d clearly have so much time on my hands with a new baby and a toddler…)
I spent a few moments thinking about my dream publisher—Hay House—and then immediately told myself I was crazy for even entertaining the idea that they might publish MY book. I mean, they publish the books of authors I admire hugely, many of whom are New York Times Bestsellers. People like Gabrielle Bernstein, Julia Cameron, Kate Northrup, Dr Brian Weiss, John C Parkin, Pam Grout, Kris Carr, Rebecca Campbell, the list goes on. The thought of seeing my name alongside theirs seemed impossibly big. But at the same time it felt completely right, like it was going to happen anyway, and I just had to play my part in facilitating the process. (If you think this sounds weird, you should try being inside my head at this point!)
So I decide that I am going to spend my maternity leave writing a proposal specifically for Hay House. I have no idea how I am going to get it in front of the right person (or who the right person is), or how I am going to convince them to publish it, but those are just details. Anyway, you know how when you commit to something the Universe moves with you? Well as soon as I decided that, the VERY SAME DAY an email popped into my inbox announcing that Hay House’s ‘The Writer’s Workshop’ is coming to London in May. Just a few weeks away, and a short time before my maternity leave starts. Obviously I book my ticket right away and start wondering whether this could actually happen.
May rolls around and I head to London for the workshop, heavily pregnant and full of anticipation. As soon as I hear Hay House CEO Reid Tracy say, “We don’t buy books. We invest in authors.” I know that Hay House are the ones for me. The only challenge now is showing that I am one for them!
July arrives and Maia is born. I am enveloped in a cloud of happy hormones, my days overtaken by the chaos of young family life with a newborn and a toddler, and I am distracted by the lure of the sea on sunny days. July becomes August, August becomes September. We leave Brighton and move house, and my maternity leave is ticking away. My ‘book proposal’ is still just a bunch ideas in the back of my mind, and scribbled in the pages of my journal.
And then, just as I start to think I really need to do something about pulling this proposal together, I get an email from my friend Esme Wang, a talented writer and professional editor who has done a fantastic job editing projects for me in the past. Out of the blue, after nearly a year without contact, she says, “I’m just checking in about possible projects. Do you have anything you need editing?”
Well, funny you should ask… And so, with Esme’s help I put together an ambitious plan to write my entire book proposal in a matter of weeks, with regular Skype check-ins and frequent reviews. The pressure it puts on me is just what I need and the proposal starts to flow.
Once the proposal has taken shape, I send it to 15 people whose opinions and insights I value immensely. This is one of the hardest things I have ever done, because it’s just so personal.
On Mr K’s recommendation I also send it to Caroline Hardman, an old friend of his, who I have never met but who has kindly agreed to take a look. Caroline is an agent with plenty of top selling novels under her belt, so she has seen a lot of book proposals in her time. To my complete surprise and utter delight she offers to represent me, and within a week I have a literary agent in London. It’s all a bit surreal.
The Authors page of the Hardman Swainson website. Oh look, there’s me!
Caroline takes responsibility for pitching the book to publishers, I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to have a professional in your corner. Before I know it I’m in London meeting potential publishers, including Hay House UK’s Managing Director Michelle Pilley, and Commissioning Editor Amy Kiberd. Sat in Michelle’s office, jiggling baby Maia on my knee and outlining my book to these two brilliant women, with my agent by my side, I can feel my dream unfolding.
Amy discussing important business with Maia
Last week we signed the contract! My first book will be published by Hay House in Spring 2017, just a few weeks before my 40th birthday. I cannot wait to share it with you!
I’ll share more on what it’s actually about in the coming weeks, but for now I’ll just say it’s a book about personal freedom. It’s about escaping from the things that trap us in dull routines and patterns of fear and self-doubt, and unlocking potential, finding direction and, ultimately, happiness.
It’s a book deeply connected to my personal experiences, and full of stories of people I have met along the way. And I want to make sure it’s a book for you.
So dreams really do come true. Now I just have to write it!
My sentiments exactly – a display in the Kikki K Covent Garden shop the day I went to meet ‘My Editor’!
Will you help bring this book to life?
Between now and my July deadline I want to involve a handful of our amazing Do What You Love community in shaping the tools and exercises I include in the book. If you become part of my team in this way, you’ll be part of the behind-the-scenes journey, you’ll test the tools, get an early peek at the content, be encouraged to share your story, connect with others involved in the project and help bring this book to life. We’ll check in regularly and I hope that being part of this process will facilitate your own personal growth along the way. There will also be some sweet treats for those who contribute in the most meaningful ways. It will only take a few hours of your time, but I hope it will be a fascinating project to be part of. If you are interested in sharing this journey please fill in this short form here, and I’ll be in touch in the coming weeks with more info.
