“There’s no better place to think and see the world clearly than on a really good walk with a friend.”

Sarah interviews Anna Caig who has worked in communications for 17 years, specialising in media relations, reputation management and strategic marketing campaigns. She has trained media spokespeople to deliver information in the most challenging and high pressure situations. She began her training business to help writers to build their brand and reach more readers. Anna now works with traditionally, indie and self-published writers, as well as helping creatives in any discipline. 

She tutors on the MA Journalism course at The University of Sheffield and writes crime fiction. Her current work in progress has been shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger prize. Sarah asks Anna:

• After 17 years of working in communications, what made you decide to start your own business?
• What steps did you take to move from full-time employment towards doing freelance work?
• How did you imagine it would be to start your own business and how close is it to your experience so far?
• What are the biggest challenges you’ve come across that you didn’t expect?
• Where does your interest in communications stem from?
• What gap can you fill for writers and other creatives?
• Who do you most enjoy working with when you’re training people?
• Why do you think some people find it challenging to promote their own work?
• How do you make time for reading, blogging, and writing novels around your new business?
• Where do you go for creative inspiration?
• What question would you like to ask our listeners?

This episode was recorded by Joe Willis online via zoom on 3rd July 2020. You can say hello to Anna on twitter @AnnaCaig or on her website www.annacaigcomms.co.uk and read her book reviews here: https://murderundergroundbrokethecamel.wordpress.com/

During the show Anna mentions crime writers Clare Mackintosh and Katherine Stansfield.