Episodes

  • S3 Ep25: Eileen Forrestal: The Courage to Shine

    S3 Ep25: Eileen Forrestal: The Courage to Shine
    Aug 11 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
     
    In this episode I meet Eileen Forrestal, a retired anaesthetist who worked as a doctor for 32 years, took over a publishing company, began publishing a series of award-winning diaries and journals and has now written her memoir, “The Courage to Shine”. As you’ll hear during our interview, as a child Eileen had a stammer that made her afraid to speak for years, but she now works as a speaker, mentor and coach, as well as writing and publishing. 
    During our conversation, we discuss the power of saying yes, overcoming fear, being open to opportunities and using coaches and mentors to help you write your memoir. Eileen’s positivity is infectious and it was a joy to chat with her. I hope you enjoy listening too!
    More About Eileen Forrestal
    Eileen Forrestal (MB BCh BaO FFARCSI), a retired doctor after 32 years, now engages full time in the business she co-founded in 2006, Get Up and Go Publications Ltd, creating and distributing her award-winning inspirational Get Up and Go diaries and journals, with almost 500,000 copies sold worldwide to date. 
    Having spent 20 years as an anaesthetist ‘putting people to sleep’, Eileen is now in the business of ‘waking people up’, committed to making a greater impact on personal health and wellbeing with inspiring and encouraging words, rather than with drugs and one pair of hands!!! 
    In her memoir “The Courage to Shine: Find Your Voice and Discover the Healing Power of Your Words”, Eileen shares her personal story of ‘waking up’ to the discovery of the source of her own wellbeing and vitality – her own authentic self-expression – her voice! Plagued by a childhood stammer, and afraid to speak for too many years, Eileen is now fully enjoying life as an author, speaker, mentor, coach, publishing entrepreneur and accredited thought leader  and encourages others to overcome their fears, find their true expression and shine their light in the world. 
    An avid traveller, she has explored much of this beautiful earth. She describes summiting Kilimanjaro, trekking to Everest Base Camp, flying a microlite over Victoria Falls, riding an ostrich and hypnotising a chicken as special highlights in a very colourful life. 
    A native of Dublin, she has lived the best years of her life in Sligo, in the beautiful northwest of Ireland.
    Links: 

    The Courage to Shine on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IijwRB 

    www.eileenforrestal.com
    www.getupandgodiary.com
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • S3 Ep24: Mose J Gingerich: Murder mysteries in the Amish community

    S3 Ep24: Mose J Gingerich: Murder mysteries in the Amish community
    Jul 27 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
      
     In this episode I meet Mose J Gingerich, a murder mystery author and former reality TV star who spent the first 23 years of his life in the Amish community. I had an absolutely fascinating conversation with Mose, who not only shed light on being an author but also on his time in the Amish, his reasons for leaving and the harsh truth about the world of reality TV. 
    We also talk about agents and publishers, Mose explains why recording his own audio books was more challenging than he expected, and we discuss the ‘golden hour’ for writing. 
    More About Mose J Gingerich 
    Mose J Gingerich was born and raised in the Old Order Amish community of Greenwood, Wisconsin. During his 22 years among the Amish, Mose lived in over a dozen Amish communities, teaching school in several of them. Mose is best known for his roles on television shows like UPN’s Amish in the City (2004) and Amish: Out of Order, National Geographic Channel (2012).
    In 2021, Mose started an Amish fiction murder/mystery/suspense series. Shadows We Remain was the debut novel and was written in the sleeper of Mose’s big rig while trucking coast to coast. Caroline Creek Chaos is the second book in the Caroline Creek Series and is out July 2022.
    Links: 
    Mose’s website: https://www.amishinthecitymose.com/
    Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mose-J-Gingerich/e/B09DTNDZQ3
    Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mose-J-Gingerich/e/B09DTNDZQ3 
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosejgingerich
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSc7G-fq0Y5-_y12HT9suvw
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjgingerich/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmishNCity
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • S3 Ep23: Linda Jämsén, Memoir Writer: Odyssey of Love

    S3 Ep23: Linda Jämsén, Memoir Writer: Odyssey of Love
    Jul 7 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
     
    In this episode I meet Linda Jämsén, author of Odyssey of Love: A Memoir of Seeking and Finding, which was published in June 2021. Linda is an American ex-pat living in Helsinki and her book tells the true story of how she moved across the world to find love after a psychic told her to travel to Europe to find a tall man wearing glasses! 

    Linda never intended to write a book and she explains how it grew organically from personal writing she did as therapy after the death of her father. We also talk about being authentic, writing at your own pace, and using editors and beta readers to make your book as good as it can be.

    More About Linda Jämsén 
    Linda Jämsén is an American ex-pat writer-musician living in Helsinki. She grew up in New York, holding a book in one hand while exploring the piano keyboard with the other. She graduated with a B.A. in Music from Bard College, and as an avid choral singer has performed in Hungary, Finland, the UK, and Israel. 
    For years, she raised funds for a variety of philanthropic causes in Boston, but longing to return to her musical roots, in 2001 she moved to Budapest, land of her musical idol Franz Liszt. Her musical, romantic, and travel adventures abroad inspired her to write Odyssey of Love: A Memoir of Seeking and Finding, her literary debut
    Links
    Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Odyssey-Love-Memoir-Seeking-Finding-ebook/dp/B092LNSG2J 
    Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Love-Memoir-Seeking-Finding-ebook/dp/B092LNSG2J
    Linda’s website: https://lindajamsen.com
    https://www.facebook.com/lindajamsenauthor
    https://www.facebook.com/OdysseyOfLoveBook
    @lindajamsenauthor (Instagram)
     
     
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • S3 Ep22: Sean Armstrong: Disabled British Author of YA Science Fiction

    S3 Ep22: Sean Armstrong: Disabled British Author of YA Science Fiction
    Jun 2 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
     
    In this episode I meet British sci-fi author Sean Armstrong. Sean publishes under the penname STL Armstrong and his first book, “The Green Girl and the Serum”, is the first in a series of six YA science fiction novels. Sean has mild cerebral palsy and learning difficulties but it hasn't had any bearing on his ability as a writer and he is proof that anyone can achieve their dreams when they put their mind to it!

    We talk about the books, films and video games that gave Sean the inspiration for his series of superhero novels. Sean also tells me about the ease of self-publishing with Amazon KDP Print and the sense of achievement he feels about becoming an author.
      More About Sean Armstrong Sean Armstrong is a 36-year-old disabled author who started working on the “Green Girl” series of YA science fiction books in 2019. The first book in the series, “The Green Girl and the Serum” was published in September 2021.
    Links: 
    Buy The Green Girl and the Serum by STL Armstrong on Amazon UK or Amazon US
    Follow Sean on Twitter

    Follow Sean on Facebook

     ---
    Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including author coaching, proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit https://www.theprooffairy.com
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • S3 Ep21: Beth Hildenbrand: mother, grandmother, poet and horror fantasy author

    S3 Ep21: Beth Hildenbrand: mother, grandmother, poet and horror fantasy author
    May 19 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
     
    In this episode I meet Beth Hildenbrand, a mother, grandmother, home educator and author living in Pennsylvania, USA. Beth is the author of “Cain the Heretic Son” and “Heretic Faith”, the first two books in a dark horror fantasy trilogy. She’s also a poet with two books of her work published, and she runs her own community for authors, Buy The Author (such a clever name!). 

    We talk about argumentative characters, writing as therapy and the importance of being part of a writing community. Beth also explains why she returned to self-publishing after a period with a traditional publisher, and you’ll learn that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, no matter who you are.

    More About Beth Hildenbrand 
    Beth Hildenbrand is the author of the Cain series. She lives in Ephrata, Pennsylvania with her family. Beth loves heavy metal, vintage horror movies and coffee. When she is not writing, Beth enjoys spending time with her family.
    Links: 
    Find Beth Hildenbrand’s books on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beth-Hildenbrand/e/B07YW595RS US: https://www.amazon.com/Beth-Hildenbrand/e/B07YW595RS
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beth.hildenbrand.5
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/HildenbrandBeth
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hildenbrandmary/
    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19682694.Beth_Hildenbrand
    Beth’s author community, Buy The Author: https://www.facebook.com/groups/305768954492607/
    --

    Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • S3 Ep20: Jim James, curator of "The UnNoticed Entrepreneur"

    S3 Ep20: Jim James, curator of "The UnNoticed Entrepreneur"
    Apr 21 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
      
    My guest today is Jim James, an entrepreneur who started his first company in Singapore at the age of 28 and has since opened offices in China, India and the UK. He’s now back living in the UK where he hosts “The UnNoticed Show,” a public relations podcast for entrepreneurs. From the interviews he conducts for his podcast, he found the content for his first book, “The UnNoticed Entrepreneur”. 

    Jim is a mine of information on technology to help entrepreneurs and he shares with me some really useful tech tools for authors. We also talk about entering book awards, creating merchandise and reader avatars, and Jim explains why writing a book is like running a marathon.     More About Jim James
    Jim has built businesses from a suitcase on 3 continents over 25 years, all using public relations. His first brush with #gettingnoticed was at 18 when he jumped out of a plane in return for sponsorship and received expedition equipment in return for media publicity. He hasn’t stopped this model of brand+business building ever since.

    Having grown up in Europe, Africa and America, it was perhaps inevitable that Jim would move to Singapore at the age of 28 to start his first company, EASTWEST Public Relations. Since 1995 the B2B agency opened offices in Singapore, China, India and the UK serving over 500 clients. In China between 2006–2019, Jim built the business importing and distributing Morgan Motor Company cars, was interim CEO of Lotus, Vice Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and a number of other profit and not for profit ventures including the bi-annual British Business Awards. He is particularly proud of being the home room parent at the school of his daughters, and serving on the food committee which replaced sugary drinks with milk in the cafeteria.

    Jim returned with his young family to the UK in June 2019 to provide his daughters with a British education, and works with clients to ensure that they are able to get noticed for all that they do, and helps companies to enter the Asia market. He hosts “The UnNoticed Show,” a podcast for entrepreneurs with tools and tips for public relations, and has created the SPEAK|pr course providing a structured approach to getting noticed.

    Links
    The UnNoticed Entrepreneur book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09C8GDFZ3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
    Connect with Jim James: https://linktr.ee/jimajames 
    -- Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • S3 Ep19: Lawrence Bradby: project-inspired art books

    S3 Ep19: Lawrence Bradby: project-inspired art books
    Apr 14 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they can offer other aspiring writers.
     
    My guest today is Lawrence Bradby, a British author living in Portugal who I first met when we were both paddle boarding on the Rio Alva last summer! Lawrence has collaborated on two very unusual books: The Day of the Duck, with artist Helen Stratford, and How to Play with MK, which Lawrence wrote jointly with his wife and children during a two-year residency as artist family in residence in the UK city of Milton Keynes. 
    We talk about taking time out to find creative inspiration, turning real life projects into fictional works, and book launch events. Lawrence also talks about his experience of working directly with printers, we discuss joining a writers’ group versus having a trusted circle of supporters and we even touch on duck rights!    More About Lawrence Bradby
    Between 2003 and 2019 Lawrence Bradby was part of Townley and Bradby, a collaborative family practice with artist Anna Townley and their three children. The publication How To Play With MK (2020), jointly written by the whole family, presents their two-year artist residency as a series of fictional encounters with a location that is both magical and threatening.
    Links
    The Day of the Duck 
    Blackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Day-of-the-Duck-by-Helen-Stratford-author-Lawrence-Bradby-author/9780993337338
    Central Books: https://www.centralbooks.com/day-of-the-duck-the.html
    Co-author Helen Stratford:  http://www.helenstratford.co.uk/
    Review: https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/artists-books-2018-10-of-the-best-from-irreverent-fun-to-brutal-heartbreak/

    How to Play with MK
    MK Gallery: https://mkgallery.org/shop/
    Review: https://www.a-n.co.uk/reviews/explorifying-nunderpasses-and-other-stories-games-lists-ideas-and-drawings/

    -- Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • S3 Ep18: Alanna Irving, first-time novelist, "Abolish the Rose"

    S3 Ep18: Alanna Irving, first-time novelist, "Abolish the Rose"
    Mar 31 2022
    Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
     
    Today I have a chat with Alanna Irving, a British author currently living in Barcelona. While Alanna has been writing all her life, her first published novel “Abolish the Rose” is out on 10th April 2022 through Atmosphere Press. 
    Atmosphere Press specialise in partnership publishing and in the podcast we talk about why Alanna chose that method over self-publishing. We also discuss how social media and blog tours can be used to promote books, and Alanna explains her reasons for writing.     More About Alanna Irving 
    Alanna (rhymes with Hannah) was born and raised in Nottingham, England. She holds a Bachelor degree in Classics and a Masters in International Relations, and currently lives, works and salsa-dances in Barcelona. Her first published novel “Abolish the Rose” is out April 10th 2022.     “Abolish the Rose” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alanna-Irving/dp/1639882561/ 
    Alanna’s book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60386223-abolish-the-rose 
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alannairving/ 
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanna_irving 
    --  Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com 
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins