I recently spent an inspirational day with my publisher, Troubador down in Leicestershire. It was a complete antidote to a long, hard, and productive winter of assessments up here at the Derwent Clinic in York.
It also provided a much-needed spark to reignite my passion for resuming the writing, and completion, of ‘New Insights into PDA’ this year.
Along with about 20 other budding authors (mainly novellists and fiction writers it seems), we learned about the importance of book design, and the editing process, and how Troubador markets and distributes your book. I’ve signed up to a range of online seminars and tutorials as well, to help me stay focussed, and to keep learning.
It’s a very sleek, organised and well-practiced process for Troubador Publishing, who work very closely with authors -who have control- to secure their desired outcomes.
I am going for an initial print run of either 1500 or 2000, and my book will be available directly from the Troubador website, for distribution across both the UK and internationally. Copies will also be available to order at my website too.
My preference at the moment is that my book will not be listed on Amazon, as they take 60% of the book price from authors. This is important because I am self funding the publication of ‘New Insights into PDA’, which at the moment is running at about £5 -6k.
So, to make sufficient space and time to write, without distraction and/or disruption, I am taking another long period of sabbatical leave from my clinical practice, from March to September 2024. Apart from existing and pre-booked Tribunal Hearings, I will not be able to offer any clinical appointments as a Specialist Consultant EP in PDA during this time. I know this will be disappointing for many of you who contact me with your enquiries, but I cannot multi-task on two extremely important aspects of my professional life.
And finally for now….
Another bit of good news is that I am presenting a research seminar at the Department of Psychology, Teesside University on Wednesday 13th March. The topic will be ‘Generating New Insights into PDA,’ and will set out how my clinical practice assessing and diagnosing PDA has led to my generating the new knowledge and new insights into PDA following the seminal work of Prof Elizabeth Newson.
So as I complete my last clinical report for a few months I have mixed feelings: sadness at not being available to support and help all you marvellous, long-suffering parents of youngsters with PDA profiles, but also excitement about the book writing process. Facing the joys of editing, and receiving editorial feedback will be tough, but I have several pairs of big boots I can put on to wade through all the corrections and revisions.
I’ll keep you updated on how the home fires are burning.
Here’s to future days!
Warmest wishes to you all,
Hilary