Tania Diggory is making waves in the wellbeing industry with Calmer, the self-development company that’s helping entrepreneurs create a fulfilling and balanced lifestyle. Already featured in Psychologies magazine and Guardian for her work, Tania is now publishing her first book, This is Calmer, the supportive guide for entrepreneurs everywhere.
We caught up with Tania to find out all about her upcoming self-development book, This is Calmer, and her new partnership with YADA Events.
Last time we spoke, we talked about your journey to starting Calmer, and now you’re releasing your first book, This is Calmer. Tell us a bit more about that!
Tania: Yes, it’s been quite a journey! Initially I started writing This Is Calmer last year as an online course, to help entrepreneurs with a calmer approach to managing their startup. Over time, I decided I wanted to create a book using content from the course, as an easy-to-digest version that entrepreneurs could read at any time, wherever they are. It serves as a resourceful guide to provide entrepreneurs with inspiration, support and encouragement on their startup journey, and highlights putting your wellbeing at the heart of your journey.
What’s the story behind writing This is Calmer ?
Tania: The inspiration is drawn from my personal experience in the early years of running my events company and going through anxiety attacks. Once I learned how to manage this effectively and focus on my wellbeing alongside running my business, I began mentoring other entrepreneurs and discovered that many of them were living with anxiety and depression. They didn’t feel like they could open up about it to others and were putting on a brave face. This inspired me to launch Calmer and not long after, I created this book which is like a handy pocket guide to help entrepreneurs feel supported and less anxious on their startup journey. It’s also packed with recommended reading, listening and viewing resources to encourage motivation.
This is Calmer is self-published. Would you recommend other writers to go in the same direction?
Tania: The self-publishing process has been really enjoyable, as well as a huge learning curve. It’s an opportunity I’d encourage other aspiring writers to look into. Of course, it depends on your preference – from my personal experience, I’ve felt more in control of my writing journey through creating a publishing company and launching my book through that avenue.
There are also fantastic hybrid publishing companies these days, where you can share responsibility with the publishing process – for example, a couple writers I know have been published through Unbound, which I’ve heard great things about. Equally, there are fantastic self-publishing platforms where you can upload your title and they then notify their network of distribution outlets, like Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles etc. I’ve gone with a company called Ingram Spark, which was recommended to me by one of my writing mentors Heather O’Connell, and I’ve had a really positive experience with them.
What were your biggest challenges when writing This is Calmer?
Tania: Overthinking things! That’s why I believe it’s important to work with an editor to help you look at your writing objectively. When it’s your book and your material, you’re so invested in it and sometimes you’ll find you pick at small things rather than focus on the big picture. I also found that getting a few people whose opinions/experiences I respected to read the final draft really helped in terms of structure, and spotting pointers I may have missed working on my own.
Any advice for people looking to publish their own book?
Tania: It takes a lot of work. I suggest sourcing a reliable team to help you through the process, as well as a strong marketing plan around the time of launching your book. I’ve really enjoyed the self-publishing experience and have learnt so much, but it’s important to find out which route you feel would work best for you.
Talk to people who have gone down the traditional publishing route, the hybrid publishing route and the self-publishing route to get a sense of what you feel would be the best fit for you. Networking in publishing circles is important as well, to enhance your knowledge and experience of writing and publishing. If you do plan to go down the self-publishing route, there are courses you can take that teach you about self-publishing. I took The Authorpreneur short course at City University, London and that gave me heaps of ideas, knowledge and confidence in self-publishing – as well as learning about the publishing world in general.
Calmer recently announced its partnership with YADA Events, who you’re also working with for your book launch. Could you fill us in a little more?
Tania: We came across YADA at the launch of The Creative Expo and quickly discovered how much our brand values aligned, particularly our mutual passion for bringing people together through events and encouraging our audiences to stay connected and build long term relationships. It was a natural fit – YADA, an innovative events company, coupled with Calmer, a company that supports and connects entrepreneurs through workshops, events and programmes.
We’re excited that YADA are presenting the launch of This Is Calmer, which we’re also aligning with the official launch of our partnership. At the book launch, attendees will have a chance to experience an event created by both our brands and learn about our plans for the future. The next project we’ll be collaborating on after the book launch will be our new Calmer programme for entrepreneurs, also called This Is Calmer, which entails a three step model to managing your wellbeing, your startup and your relationships (as highlighted in the book). Details about this programme will be available around the same time as the book launch.
A big thank you to YADA for all your support and here’s to a positive, collaborative future!
This is Calmer launches on 30 November 2017. Find out more at:
thisiscalmer.com/thisiscalmer.
Why not email us about featuring on the blog:
tamara.amarquaye@yada.events
Try the YADA Events app on the App Store or Google Play and see how you can use it for your next event management project.
www.yada.events
Blog | UK | YADA Says 