Freelancer Spotlight: Carolyn Parker – Author
Next up in our ‘Freelancer Spotlight’ series is Carolyn Parker, a writer and author who also provides writing support and mentoring services.
Our Freelancer Spotlight series is designed to help promote the great work that creative freelancers do and provide a platform for them to share their insights and experiences in the sector.
If you would like to feature in our ‘Freelancer Spotlight’ series, click the button below to answer our 'Spotlight' questions.
What inspired you to become self-employed?
I discovered my gift for storytelling in lockdown when I joined an Arts Council England funded project which involved contributing a chapter around a challenge I had faced, to an inspirational collaborative book.
I chose to write about my experience of abuse and recovery, one of the hardest times of my life. The writing process was both painful and therapeutic. My words resonated with other women and I knew I was making a difference by being vulnerable in this way.
From here I decided to write my first full book and step into my author identity.
Who would be your ‘dream client’, and why?
My dream readers / clients are those who’ve been through, or are currently in, similar circumstances to the ones I write about.
Having written about a wide range of topics from mental health, motherhood and parenting to inner child healing and abuse in varying forms in a selection of articles and multi author books, my ideal audience can vary but judging from my analytics are mostly women between 30 - 65.
What advice would you give to others who wanted to become self-employed?
My first thought is don’t wait until you are ready, as you’ll never be ready.
Be prepared to jump out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is a steep learning curve but by taking inspired small consistent steps you will learn and grow.
Surround yourself with positive minded individuals who believe in helping others to rise.
Finally visualise where you want to be, how it feels and looks and hold onto that energy, that feeling. Take steps towards this new you mindset and start to become that version of you.
What part of your work do you feel most proud of?
I’m proud of taking a huge leap of faith, writing about some of the most sensitive subjects in the world!
I’m proud that I’ve faced up to my past mistakes, hurts and fears and am able to use this learning to assure others they are heard, seen and understood.
I’m proud that I can now say I am a woman who knows, loves and believes in herself when six years ago I was washed up on the beach of life with little hope and not being able to see a future.
I’m most proud of knowing my writing is healing, helping to break down taboos and creating ripples of hope around the globe, one book and one keynote at a time.
What do you enjoy most about being self-employed?
I enjoy the freedom of being able to plan my day to fit around life and my other self employed support work. I particularly love meeting and connecting with other like minded entrepreneurs and the fact that every day is a new learning day.
I enjoy seeing how far I’ve come and celebrating my achievements no matter their size.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a freelancer, and how did you overcome it?
From starting to write to setting up as Carolyn Parker Author took three years of me investing heavily in myself to learn the skills needed in so many different area to do this thing!
The overwhelm was real... the outgoings far exceeded my income and I thought I would have to give up. Having come so far from my start point and having a real passion in my heart to fulfill what I believe is my destiny, I couldn’t stop. To do so would be to let down the women I was there to serve.
Recalling my why in this way has kept me looking forwards and taking the very next step each week. As any author / writer knows you very rarely hit the jackpot as soon as you publish a book. I know it takes time to get known and seen and I’m working on increasing my reach and visibility by starting to speak, whether that be on a podcast, book festival or online event.
What tools or resources are absolutely essential for you to do your work?
My friends laughed and didn’t believe me when I told them I wrote my full book on my phone, but I did.
I need my laptop for some tasks such as previewing my manuscript or attending online webinars, trainings and networking but the majority of my writing is done on my phone.
I find it easiest to write away from home, as there are fewer distractions or jobs to derail my flow. A cafe is the best. I find sitting upright painful though due to my lumbar scoliosis so a recliner rather than an office chair suits me best when at home doing admin etc.
My car is vital to attend book fairs, conferences, in person meetings and business growth events etc. I’m hoping to be able to employ a support worker soon to assist me with carrying heavy boxes of books to venues, setting up my book table and sharing the driving.
How do you keep up with industry trends and continue learning and improving your skills?
I’m a member of the Society of Authors and their disability and chronic illness group. I take advantage of the wide variety of online training, webinars, author support groups and informal meet the author events they host.
I’m a member of the East Midlands-based Woman Who Community run by Sandra Garlick MBE, my personal and business growth has accelerated since joining a year ago.
I won a Special Recognition Award for resilience and embodying the values of the group in their Solopreneur awards last October and last week I was proud to have delivered my first on stage keynote to the room.
I belong to a variety of other supportive women in business groups including online / in person networking. As well as online learning I have a coach and keep up to date with the latest developments in the self publishing space through magazines such as Myslexia and The Author subscriptions.
I have participated in the Small & Mighty programme run by Small Business Britain and contributed to the Lilac Review.
Where can people find out more about you and your work?
I’m easy to find... coming up first on searches for Carolyn Parker Author
My website: https://carolynparkerauthor.co.uk
Socials:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile/carolynparker-author
Instagram: https://instagram.com/carolynparkerauthorLinktree :
https://linktr.ee/carolynparkerauthor
If you would like to feature in our ‘Freelancer Spotlight’ series, click the button below to answer our 'Spotlight' questions.
Written by
Luke Glassford
Marketing Director
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