Your Stories: Publishing my second novel while on maternity leave

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Q. How long have you been working in travel?

I’ve been in travel since 2007, hopping around agencies in Guernsey before joining Travel Counsellors in 2017. I took a break and worked in private equity/finance but it didn’t last. I also had a part-time job for an electronics firm, but I won’t return there after maternity leave as I will be focused on Travel Counsellors.

Q. Why did you join the travel industry?

I studied film and media at A level and my first job was for a PR firm, but I quickly learned it wasn’t for me. Reviewing papers for coverage of their clients, I spotted an advert for Travelmaker. That agency was based inside a Co-op, so I popped by to say hello. Travelmaker boss Natalie said that effort to say hello made me stand out from other applicants, so she gave me a chance.

My first booking was Disneyland Paris…I’m a Disney lover, so I dedicated every spare minute to learning. In 2017, my husband and I hoped to start a family and I wanted to be a work-from-home mum. Paige was born in November 2024 and I’m on maternity leave until May.

Q. Have you booked some memorable holidays?

Bahrain was one of the most unusual, but I love every type of tailor-made enquiry. I arranged a honeymoon for Dominique – the graphic designer of my beautiful book covers. She and her husband spent almost a month travelling around Japan. I help anyone travel wherever they fancy but I am a honeymoon specialist and love pulling together once-in-a-lifetime itineraries.

I have a soft spot for cruise and cruise-and-stay itineraries too. There’s more demand for safari and ranching holidays, thanks to the ‘cowboy core’ trend. I’ve also seen an upturn in Scandinavia enquiries, as well as good old-fashioned European summer sun. Noctourism is also on the rise; I’ve seen the northern lights so I don’t blame anyone wanting to see it for themselves.

Q. How did you cope during Covid?

It was a difficult time but I was lucky for several reasons. I have some very patient, loyal customers who rebooked wherever possible and most of those who took refunds were quick to rebook when things went back to normal. I also got more hours at another part-time job as they were essential suppliers and I got a third job at our local contact tracing team. I’m reaping the rewards of grinning and bearing those hard times as the appetite for travel has really come back.

Q. What marketing do you do?

I believe social media is a necessary evil. Facebook is my ‘shop window’ while Instagram is a good way to entice people to destinations, thanks to incredible imagery from Travel Counsellors. I have a TC assistant managing my Facebook and Instagram pages. A radio advert in Guernsey two years ago was also very successful but the best way to get new customers is through referrals. I’m Guernsey born and bred and about 95% of my customers are local.

The others are probably family or friends of local clients who recommended me. When tour operators or hotel reps come to Guernsey, a warm welcome will be waiting as all the local agents make a big effort.

Q. How has Travel Counsellors helped you?

Travel Counsellors is very supportive. They allow us the freedom to run our businesses our own way. I love the friendly challenges that head office run, getting TCs to team up to earn points for an incentive. Being in Guernsey, I can’t easily pop over to UK events or even our annual conference, so these team challenges help me stay in touch with my Travel Counsellors family.

Head office is also supportive with my writing. During peaks, my lovely colleague Laura Sigsworth covered a lot of my enquiries while I was on maternity leave. I have done a few bookings, but thanks to her amazing support, I’ve been able to be very selective.

Tell us about your second fantasy novel

The Encia Trilogy is a labour of love and this second book, Reckoning, has been my favourite to write. My first, The Withering, came out in 2023. I’d spent a lot of time establishing the characters, history and lore, set in a world I created, called Encaris.

The world has so much inspiration from Guernsey as well as places I’ve travelled to, such as Canada and New Zealand. I made a map that you can see on the trilogy website (encia-trilogy.co.uk) and I often challenge people to find the Guernsey references.

In Reckoning, you can expect battles, magic, romance and loss, with the characters you came to love and loathe from The Withering. The third novel, Uprising, will come out in 2026‑27, depending on how quickly I can finish it. I have a new, tiny person in my life that’s taking up a fair bit of my free time. A local bookshop called the Writer’s Block has hosted book launches and meet-the-author events for both books.

The Guernsey Arts organisation and local media have also been hugely supportive. Writing really is a hobby. I enjoy it so much that it’s one of the first things I do when I have free time.