Gemma Holgate has been writing stories for as long as she can remember, and loving books for even longer than that. She was first published at the age of 7 in a local primary school poetry anthology and alongside wanting to be a vet, had ambitions to become an author. Gemma studied English and Creative Writing at university with a publishing module which sparked her interest in how books were produced. Maddison House Press is the realisation of a 15-year dream that has taken her to other side of the world and back.
“On completing my university degree, I took some time out to go travelling, which, completely by accident, turned into three and a half years living and working in New Zealand as a reporter for a small national newspaper. It was here that I interviewed sports personalities, politicians, musicians, and business owners and realised the power of personal story and lived experience to connect and inspire,” she says.
On return to the UK Gemma began to work in local government and corporate, helping young people get into work. During this time, she developed a passion for health and wellbeing, and after her own struggles with mental health, began to use her experiences in talks and presentations. Gemma then completed a master’s degree in international relations and a Post Graduate Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring before deciding to start her own business.
From January 2020 to January 2024, Gemma worked as a wellbeing consultant providing training and coaching around personal resilience. In 2021 she wrote and published her first book Connected: The 12 Ways of Wellbeing for a Holistically Healthy Life and off the back of this was approached by a number of people to help them write and publish their books too. It was only at the beginning of this year, with a three-week-old baby in her arms, that Gemma took the leap with Maddison House Press and started working full-time as a publisher with a difference.
“Maddison House Press offers what I describe as wrap-around publishing,” says Gemma. “This is because I work with authors from the seed of an idea right the way through to having their finished book in their hands and beyond”. Pre-publishing support is not often offered by publishing houses, but Gemma believes that through planning and structure sessions, book coaching, and ghost writing if required, the result is top quality stories and great relationships for the next stage.
Focusing specifically on non-fiction books, Maddison House Press specialises in producing business, self-help, and biographies in order to allow authors to share their expertise, and again, use their personal stories to share positive messages and create positive change. Authors pay for the pre-publishing support they receive and then, once a manuscript has started to take shape, have the opportunity to be offered a fully funded publishing deal including social media and launch support. They then receive royalties from the sale of every book.
So far there are five books scheduled for launch in 2025 through Maddison House Press, including one from Gemma called Where Your Book Begins. “This book is a how to guide for authors writing non-fiction for the first time or those who are starting a fresh project and want to make sure they cover everything their book needs”, says Gemma. “Alongside mine we have books on leadership, digital marketing, and a couple of biographies sharing very emotional stories and experiences. It is going to be an exciting year.”
The publishing world has changed dramatically over recent years with the rise of AI and multiple self-publishing platforms. Having self-published her first book Gemma understands the benefits of producing a book this way with regard to cost and time but, feels that she had no support and therefore fell into a lot of traps, and made a lot of mistakes, and ultimately that meant that the book did not live up to its full potential. By using her wrap-around publishing model, it opens the doors for new and inexperienced authors whilst providing guidance.
AI on the other hand, often just makes Gemma feel sad, as she believes that writing and publishing are not just about getting a book out into the world but about the joy of creation, of honing a craft, of building and growing something in the face of the hard work involved. Gemma worries we are losing that. “It takes time to create something and to connect with it and to let it come to life, it should not be rushed. Books are not just commodities, they are art, and they should have a soul,” she says.
Gemma’s number one piece of advice for budding authors is to have a plan. “I see so many people who set off writing only to discover they do not really know where their book is going,” says Gemma. “This seems to lead to frustration, and authors becoming disillusioned with the process, and ultimately giving up. By having a good solid plan right from the start, you can break your book down chapter by chapter, theme by theme, paragraph by paragraph and this way you will always know where you are, where you need to be, and how to get there”.
For business and self-help books there are four main sections that make up the reader journey and understanding these can help you to create that plan. The first is to meet the reader where they are: what are they struggling with? Where do they want to get to? The second is to meet the mentor (which in this case is you as the author): why should the reader listen to you? How have you got to a position of authority in this area? The third is the transformation: how does the reader get from where they are to where they want to be? What do they need to do? And finally, the second call: what positive impact will the transformation have on the reader? How can the reader use their transformation to help others?
“It is important to remember that a book in this genre is more about the reader than about the author,” says Gemma. “Otherwise, it is a bit like going on first date and only talking about yourself. Yes, use your stories and case studies and personal experiences, but do so in a way that benefits the reader and the journey they need to go on”. The book should also include practical tips, any links to downloads or additional support from the author, and anything else that will make the book stand out from other items on the same shelf.
Once there are words on the page, it is time to think about the editing process. For Gemma, there are two main types of editing that a book should go through. “The first is copyediting where someone looks at the flow and the content of your book. The second is proofreading which comes later on but this looks in depth at the spelling and grammar in the book,” she says. “A good editor and proofreader are essential for a good book. It is hard to do these things for yourself because often you are too close to it, too invested to see the mistakes”.
Maddison House Press uses freelance editors and proofreaders for the books they produce, often finding individuals who specialise in the subject matter and the genre of the book. This ensures that each book gets the right kind of attention and is handled to its specific needs. “Do not be afraid to shop around when it comes to working with editors and proofreaders, and do not be afraid to ask them about their qualifications, experience, and back catalogue of work,” says Gemma. “Do your research, ask for recommendations from other authors or publishers, or even contact authors they have worked with. Good editors will come with good reviews.”
One book within the Maddison House Press family that is getting ready for editing is The Making of a Hunter by John Stephenson. This is a service user’s guide to transition from the Armed Forces and uses John’s personal experience through a difficult transition to talk through five fundamental elements required to help former service personnel get into jobs on civvy street. John was one of the first clients for Maddison House Press and his book is due to be released on June 28, 2025, which will be Armed Forces Day in the UK.
“As a busy Managing Director with a story to tell that will help many, I simply didn’t have the time to put words onto paper, that’s where Gemma came in. With a unique style and the best listener, we quickly established a bond and understanding of what I wanted to achieve, and my ramblings turned into reality, laid out bare right in front of me. Gemma is unique, there is no quibble, just the need to get on with the work in front of her, and with clear due diligence a book is formed which sells the story exactly the way it should be sold… a class act, storyteller, and a story listener that has my upmost respect,” says John.
John and Gemma met through LinkedIn, which is where most of the Maddison House Press authors have connected with her. Gemma holds introduction meetings in person or via zoom where authors can share their book ideas and learn more about the process. “Once an author has decided they would like to work with me, we do a two-hour planning and structure session to create an outline for the book,” she says. “Then authors have the option of ghost writing or book coaching to support them through the writing element. During this time, we will have conversations about publishing options, contracts, social media, editing, and launch”.
Prices in 2024 for support through Maddison House Press are £200 for the planning and structure session, £800 to book coach up to the completion of a first draft of 40-50,000 words, and £2,800 to ghostwrite a complete first draft of 40-50,000 words. Publishing takes place solely through Maddison House Press, but referrals can be made to other support for books that are not within their remit. If you would like to chat to Gemma about your book idea her details can be found below.
Founder: Gemma Holgate
Instagram: @maddisonhousepress
Instagram: @gemmaholgate.author
LinkedIn: Gemma Holgate
Contact: [email protected]
Location: UK
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