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Work, Life & Everything Else
I’m the new girl in the gang, aged fifty-three. For years, I’ve wanted to join United Ghostwriters and finally, in December 2025, the door was unlocked. Philip sent me an email, we had a coffee, he reported back to the team and then next news, I’m on a train from Leeds to Kings Cross for their quarterly lunch in Bloomsbury. It was a bit like being invited to join the Delta sorority in 1992 in Tennessee, except I was spared from snogging a frat bro and given Malbec instead of moonshine. I did have to meet certain criteria to ensure my place at the table though. For one, I had to be a best-selling ghostwriter (check) and, I was later informed, I had to be quite nice (which was a relief to find out). Who knows what background checks were involved – I'm hoping they didn’t stretch as far back as Knoxville, because although life experience counts in this job, some misadventures are best left in departures. I was nervous before meeting the other ghostwriters. I’d done my due diligence days before Doncaster, so imposter syndrome had settled in by Stevenage. I knew they were all brilliant; most with tonnes of books under their belts and a few with film rights too. Blimey, I thought, I’m only from Bingley. But by the time we’d all ordered mains, I’d relaxed a little. What struck me most was their camaraderie; they clinked glasses over recent successes and re-filled them for failures or frustrations. It was a real breath of fresh air and gave me confidence to share a few things I’d been silently struggling with, which turned out to be standard gripes for ghosts. Phew. They know stuff, and they know people - and they’re not precious about sharing that knowledge with each other. I think this is invaluable in our largely solitary profession, where, after initial interviews with our authors at the start of each project, most of us then just retreat to mainline tea until the tome takes shape. Now though, I’m just a group email away from “Is this okay?” and a WhatsApp closer to “What next?” So, if you want to find out who my new friends are, and perhaps even reach out for a helping hand with your book in 2026, head to www.unitedghostwriters.co.uk and click Meet the Ghosts.
That's a wrap for me at Ilkley Literature Festival 2025. I loved being on stage in conversation with such a variety of authors. Lamorna Ash with 'Don't Forget We're Here Forever'. Prof Louise Mullany with 'Polite: The Art of Communication at Home, at Work and in Public'. Sara Barnes with 'The Cold Fix: Drawing Strength from Cold Water Swimming and Immersion'. Jill Liddington , who gave a fabulous talk about 'Women Writers in The North'. Thanks to @walkingphotogtapher for pictures 1 & 4.
Helping or Cheating?
Have a listen to this incredible woman, Georgina (George) Hurst, talking to Gayle Lofthouse on BBC Radio Leeds this morning. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002gs7b [Scroll forward to 3:17:30] Way back in 2020, I wrote an article about George for The Yorkshire Post, and off the back of that, she asked me if I would collaborate with her on a book about her amazing life. Phil Caplan at Scratching Shed Publishing loved it, and worked with us to create 'Unbroken: The Woman Who Walked Again.' https://www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-page/autobiography/unbroken-the-woman-who-walked-again/ . Before losing her mum to bowel cancer nearly three years ago, George promised that she would continue to inspire others however she could. On 6th September, George (with the aid of friends as crutches) will be walking up Whernside to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK. Please donate if you can. https://www.justgiving.com/page/georgina-hurst-1735573883076
I was given these gorgeous flowers by a client recently. We've been working together on her memoir, and now the final manuscript is out of our hands and on the next leg of its journey. The nature of ghostwriting is that I'm the silent partner, but when the time is right, I'll be shouting loudly about this fabulous young woman and all that she's achieved, overcome and laughed about.
After a few sleepless nights, lots of advice and help from the amazing BBC Look North and BBC Radio Leeds teams, I produced an hour-long live election debate with candidates from across West Yorkshire. It was hosted hosted by BBC Yorkshire's Political Editor, James Vincent. You can watch it here .
Over the last few months I've enjoyed a bit of freelance reporting for BBC Radio Leeds. It's been a real mixture of topics from the unveiling of a blue plaque at Batley Variety Club, to vox-popping on election views, preparation for Eid, and meeting the artist behind a mural of rugby legend, Rob Burrow. Here's a selection...
I had a smashing time chatting with author Paula Sutton on stage at The Malthouse in Ripponden. Tickets were sold out and signed copies of her fabulous cosy crime novel The Potting Shed Murder were flying. The event was even featured in the Halifax Courier . It was arranged by Emily Moran at Dialogue Books for a great group of women who call themselves 'Not-the-WI' after their local Women's Institute disbanded. You may recognise Paula as the face of @HillHouseVintage where she showcases her wonderful cottage-core and cosy Norfolk life. Think country interiors, gardens, frocks, flowers and cake. On publication of The Potting Shed Murder, Paula was dubbed 'Miss Marple for the 21st Century'. *****
I was invited onto the Lessons from Loss podcast recently. We talked about the power of sharing our experiences to help others and ourselves. I was a bit nervous at first, but the lovely host, Rachel Smith, soon put me at ease. You can listen by clicking the picture above or here . This is Rachel's blurb about it: In this episode I'm in conversation with author, ghostwriter and journalist Becky Bond. Becky is passionate about giving people's stories a voice and she does this brilliantly in two ways. Through her ghostwriting she captures people's stories, and her first ghostwriting opportunity happened when she wrote an article about former paramedic, Georgina Hurst. After an horrific car crash caused by her boyfriend, Georgina rebuilt her life from scratch, learning to walk, talk and eat again. She is now a pole dancer. When Georgina read the piece, she asked Becky if she would help with her book. 'Unbroken: The Woman who Walked Again’ was published in 2021. Becky then received a message from a man called Richie who was ready to share his own truth, but didn’t know how or where to start with his story of abuse, childhood prostitution and the failing care system. His book ‘Richie: Who Cares?' was published in 2022 and is currently being optioned for film and television. More recently Becky has developed a service called 'Your Story Your Voice' wherein she beautifully captures a recorded slice of personal history for future generations to enjoy. We cover the importance of telling our stories, the impact of not doing so, and the joy of having something captured of those we love for when they have passed.
Your Story Your Voice is a unique, fun and easy way of capturing a slice of personal history for future generations. Over a pot of tea or glass of wine, you can share stories about your life; poignant moments, achievements, loves, losses and everything in between. I’ll pop a small broadcast-quality microphone nearby, then prompt and guide you along in a conversational interview. When we’re finished, I’ll make a few edits back at home, then put it on a memory stick for you to keep or gift to loved ones. FAQ How long will it take? Set aside a morning, afternoon or evening. The final recording is usually around two hours but this allows for a bit of setting up time. Where will the recording take place? Wherever you feel the most comfortable, so usually your home. Can my partner, friend or another family member join in on the recording? Absolutely. Three people is probably the maximum though, to ensure a quality recording. Do I need to prepare anything? It is useful to jot down a few bullet points but I will email a short list of topic ideas beforehand. We can also have a pre-interview chat on the phone. When will I be able to hear it? I will email you a link within a week. If you are happy with everything, I’ll then save it onto a memory stick. What if I said something that on reflection I’d like to take out? That’s fine. I can make edits before saving it onto a memory stick. Everything is confidential. Will the recordings be broadcast anywhere? No. They are for your personal use, but you can share them on your own social media platforms. Could I do this via Zoom? Yes. Though the sound quality tends not to be quite as good as an in-person interview. Could I get a written transcription of the final interview? Yes. I offer this as an add-on service. Can I buy this as a gift? Yes. I can email or post a gift voucher. The recipient then just needs to contact me to schedule a date and time to suit them. What are the costs? Interview, edit & one memory stick in a gift box: £199 Additional memory stick in a gift box: £15-£30 Written transcription: £130-£160 Travel expenses may apply outside West Yorkshire Where can I find out more, hear some examples and book? Just click www.yourstoryyourvoice.co.uk
