The Next Chapter by Ellie Barker

(Our first official American guest! Yee-haw!)

Jenn Hanson de Paula grew up singing in a small town in Iowa, never imagining it would lead her to Nashville, where she worked in the music industry for Essential Records and EMI.

Today, she helps authors and creatives get their work into the world, working with everyone from film producer Devon Franklin to Dr Ingrid Clayton, author of Fawning.

Jenn has helped me enormously, and I regularly listen to her podcast. That's why I wanted to introduce her to you!

In this conversation, we explore book marketing, finding readers and building an author platform without needing thousands of followers. But this episode is about so much more than books. It's about taking that first scary step, finding your people and remembering that there is someone out there waiting for the gifts that only you can bring to the world.

As Jenn reminds us:

“You don't need thousands of followers to be a success. You are a unique individual and there are people out there who want your work.”

If you're an aspiring author, a creative with something to share, or someone wondering whether it's time to take your own next step, this conversation is for you.

To learn more about Jenn's work you can find her here: https://jenndepaula.com/

And if you would like a free yes FREE copy of my uplifting Women's Fiction novella Could We Just Do That Again? you can download it here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

And if you'd like to sign up to our 3 Pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration notes. - you can also do that here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/ Cookie and I would love to stay in touch

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Sahar thought she wanted to be a lawyer after watching LA Law, but soon realised, in her words she was very mediocre and it wasn't the right world for her. But she had no idea a trip to New York and a love for skinny latte's would take her to creating the UK's first US - style coffee chain with her brother. Not only did they create Coffee Republic but she also created Buy Women Built - a whole movement shining a spotlight on the brands created by women.

"Sometimes you’re not mediocre. You’re simply in the wrong place."

To learn more about Sahar Hashemi OBE you can find more here: https://saharhashemi.com/

To download your FREE yes FREE novella Could We Just Do That Again? click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

And to receive my 3 Pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration notes you can also do that here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

We would love to hear from you soon

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Starting a new chapter at 58: Cornish crime novelist Julie Evans

What happens when you have a successful career, a family and a life you love, but there’s still a little voice telling you there’s something else you want to do?

Today I’m talking to Cornish crime novelist Julie Evans, who began writing fiction at the age of 58.

Julie grew up in Cornwall surrounded by a huge family, listening to stories around her grandmother’s kitchen table. She became a lawyer, built her own law firm and created a life and family in the Cornwall she loved.

But the niggle to write never went away.

Julie wanted to tell stories about the Cornwall she knew — the communities, characters and places beyond the Cornwall we see as tourists. So, at 58, she started writing. Today, her Cornish crime novels are read around the world.

In this inspiring Next Chapter conversation, Julie talks about starting a new career later in life, following your dreams, finding the courage to listen to that niggle and why it’s never too late to try something new.

We also talk about real-life love, community and the wonderfully unexpected story of how Julie met her husband Martin — involving, rather memorably, a pair of stockings!

If you’re wondering whether it’s too late to start your own next chapter, Julie’s story is a wonderful reminder that sometimes the dream has simply been waiting for you to listen

To learn more about Julie and her books you can find her here: https://www.cornishcrimeauthor.com/my-books

To keep in touch with me (and I'd love that) I'll send you 3 Pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration every other Friday click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

And to download your FREE novella - Could We Just Do That Again? click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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Lucy grew up surrounded by nature and always wanted to be a vet. When she was told she couldn’t, she was determined to prove them wrong — and she did.

She went on to work as a farm vet for many years, but becoming a mum made her rethink what she wanted from her life.

So, Lucy made the brave decision to change direction.

Today she’s an award-winning nutritionist, combining her experience of farming and food to help people make healthier choices. And she’s just written a book, Soil to Gut.

She talks honestly about changing direction, changing our identity and listening to those little instincts that tell us there might be another way.

Because perhaps we’re not meant to stay the person we once thought we would be. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that Maybe it’s a simple sign we need to try something new.

To learn more about Dr Lucy Williamson and her new book Soil to Gut: How to Regenerate Your Health With Food click here: https://lwnutrition.co.uk/

To download your free novella Could We Just Do That Again? Click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

And to keep in touch (and we’d love that) you can sign up to my 3 pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration notes at: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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Joe Woodward loved sport at school and thought he wanted to be a lawyer. But he soon learned what he thought he wanted wasn't right at all. Instead he started working with sporting stars at Simon Fuller's XIX Management company - learning from people like Sir David Beckham, Andy Murray and Sir Bradley Wiggins. He went on to work with the Rajasthan Royal Family

But when he lost his job due to the pandemic, he realised the CV was out of date. He couldn't showcase who he really was and he wanted more for our next generation. So with his sister and brother-in-law they created Vizzy. 120,000 people have signed up with them all over the world and companies like Virgin, EY and Burberry are using them to find their next generation of talent. 

If you think the world of work is full of doom and gloom I really, really encourage you to listen to Joe. 

To learn more about Joe and his work at Vizzy click here: https://home.vizzy.com/

To download my free novella Could We Just Do That Again? click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

To keep in touch and join my 3 Pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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Thea Green MBE created Nails Inc at the age of wait for it...23 (!) after she spotted nail bars in New York and wanted to create the same here. She sold it in 2024 for a reported £30million but still remains very much involved with the company today. 

I can't deny, I was a little nervous when I was due to interview Thea, but she was so down to earth, helpful and encouraging. It was a huge reminder we all face the same hurdles - doubt, juggling responsibilities, guilt but then finding the courage to carry on. 

And some exciting news: since recording this podcast, Nails.INC, the UK's leading nail brand, will launch a limited-edition suffragette collection in partnership with Centenary Action on 2 July 2026 to mark the anniversary of the 1928 Equal Franchise Act, which gave womenin the UK the right to vote on equal terms to men.

The collection is inspired by the colours of the suffragette movement: white, green and purple; white representing purity, green: hope, and purple: loyalty and dignity.

Suffragettes understood that style could be defiance, a quiet act of independence. You can find all the details and learn moe about Thea and her wonderful work here: https://nailsinc.com/

And if you'd like to download your free uplifting romantic novella Could We Just Do That Again? and sample my writing you can download it here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

And to sign up to my 3 Pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration letters (and I'd love to keep in touch) you can also do that here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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Marc Connor grew up in Doncaster and describes his upbringing as proudly working class. As a child, he loved architecture and was told he should become an engineer. But alongside that, he had a real passion for music.

What Marc didn’t know then was that this love of music would not only take him all over the world, doing work he loves, but would also help other people make their dreams come true.

Marc is an artist manager and, over the years, has worked with stars including Mark Morrison and Shane MacGowan. He later founded his own company, Rockstar Management.

Then one day, someone told him about a musician called Jamie that he simply had to see. That musician was Jamie Cullum — and they’re still working together today.

Alongside his partner, Jenny, Marc also manages incredible artists including Ferris & Sylvester and Billy Lockett.

If, deep down, you believe it’s impossible to find work you truly love, Marc has some wonderful advice. He’s down-to-earth, humble and incredibly generous with his wisdom.

Marc genuinely believes we can all discover what lights us up — and in this conversation, he shares how.

To learm more about Marc you can find his wonderful work and artists here: https://www.rockstar.management/about

To download your FREE copy of my novella Could We Just Do That Again? click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

And you discover more of my novels all about second chances, life lessons and lots of behind the scenes in TV click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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Jacqueline Beard says she grew up everywhere as a child. Perhaps all these different locations were planting the seeds of her curiosity to discover where she came from because later on she became a genealogist. It was when she discovered a murderess in her ancestry she realised there was a story she wanted to write. Today she writes fictitous Victorian murder mysteries, based on all her discoveries of the stories she uncovers. She’s now written 20 novels and they are enjoyed all around the world.

Now if you’ve ever thought you’d like to write a book but don’t know how or where to being Jacqui is going to tell you everything you need to know. Jacqui says this was her first podcast interview – but I think you’ll agree she’s warm, humble and has learned how to follow her own heart. She believes in the power of tiny steps taking you to where deep down you know you want to go.

To learn more about Jacqueline Beards novels and work you can find her here: https://jacquelinebeardwriter.com/

To download your free copy of my novella Could We Just Do That Again? click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

And if you'd like to stay in touch and sign up to my 3 Pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration (and I'd love that) click here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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Imagine this - you have a brilliant idea, you're brave enough to make it happen then you overhear some mean school mums talking about you in the loos - saying who does she think she is? 

This is what happened to Joanna Jensen. I'll let her tell you what happened next but this is a story all about resilience. She created a cream for her baby daughter who suffered from eczema and went on to create Childs Farm - a brand loved around the world. She eventually sold her business for £40 million

On outside looking in – you could think it all came easily to Joanna. But it really didn’t. Joanna was in debt, her marriage broke down and she met people who were really unkind. 

But she believed in her dream and eventually she found the magical people who helped it come true. Today she's an Angel Investor helping other people do the same.

Joanna believes there is always someone who will help you make your dream come true - they are always there - you just have to keep looking.

To learn more about Joanna and her brilliant work and book, 'Making Business Child's Play - How to build a winning brand' you can find her here: https://www.joannajensen.co.uk/

And to discover more about my uplifting women's fiction novels which are all stories of love and life lessons - and to download your free copy of my novella Could We Just Do That Again you can find me here: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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Stuart Goldsmith is an award-winning Climate Comedian who entertains audiences all around the world. He's been on huge shows like Live at the Apollo, Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central and Conan over in the US and his Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows are among the best-reviewed. 

He’s also the creator and host of the Comedian’s Comedian podcast which has had more than 25 million downloads.

https://www.stuartgoldsmith.com/

https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/

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