All about The Book Forge
The Book Forge is your invitation to come on a unique journey with author Milli Hill, as she writes her fourth non fiction book for a leading publisher.
From September 2022, Milli will share her writing process, from the initial proposal, to reading and research, interviews with experts, and more, as she works towards her first deadline of June 2023, and then beyond, through the editing process, and all the way to publication (date to be confirmed).
Along the way, subscribers will get unique content, both on the topic of non fiction writing and publishing, and on the theme of the book itself, which is embargoed for now but will but will be a ground breaking, seismic and feminist reframe on the topic of women’s health.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can get your non fiction book idea out of your head and onto the shelves of your favourite bookshop, then Milli will take you through this process, via blog posts, video content and webinars. There will also be the possibility to discuss your writing plans with other subscribers, via the new substack feature of ‘threads’. If this proves unsatisfactory, we will form a discussion group via facebook or similar.
Think of this as a writing course with a difference - not so much a classroom as a forge - and funnily enough, Milli lives and writes in an old forge in Somerset, banging out sentences and paragraphs where once horseshoes, brackets and nails were bashed into shape. That’s Dougie in the waistcoat, the former blacksmith - by all reports he was an extremely naughty bloke.
So it’s The Book Forge for the room I write in (yes it really is the one just behind Dougie in the picture), and it’s The Book Forge because forge means not only heating and beating and creating, but also making something strong and successful (like forging a friendship or a new path), and of course, it also means fakery and deceit and I think there’s an element of that in the writing process too - well a bit of ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ at least!
For those who are not specifically interested in writing or publishing, The Book Forge will be a chance to see what will hopefully be a good and important book taking shape. I’ll be sharing thoughts and ideas, books, articles and research I am reading, people I am meeting and talking to, revelations and the probably the odd moment of being completely lost. I’d love it if you came along with me for the ride, and, whilst I’m not asking you to collaborate or help me write the book, I am sure that you will give me feedback or suggestions that will take me in directions I may not otherwise have explored. I’ll be updating this page with more specific information about the content of the book, when the publishers allow.
Subscribe to get full access to my newsletter, invitations to discussions and zoom Q&A’s, video and podcast content - and be part of this exciting creative journey with me. I aim to be in touch at least once a week, and often more, but as I am only one human, there may be occasional weeks during holiday periods or children’s illness for example, that I take a break. You will be following a real person writing a real book, and it will be organic, authentic, and therefore occasionally energised and triumphant, and at other times messy with glimpses of distress. I promise not to do a regular Jeffrey Bernard but I don’t promise not to sod off to the pub occasionally.
In summary
The Book Forge is for you if you are either
Interested in writing and publishing, in particular non-fiction
Interested in feminism and women’s health
Interested in coming along for the ride with Milli through the entire process of book creation
It will cost £5 per month, or £50 per year. Monthly subscribers can unsubscribe any time. There will only be very limited content and tasters available to unpaid subscribers. If you are in financial difficulty but would like to subscribe, please contact me and I will subscribe you. You can also gift a subscription:
You will get:
Weekly updates about what topics I am working on and researching
Posts with solid information about getting published
Regular invites to webinars and zoom Q&A’s on a variety of topics (both getting published and women’s health)
Updates about the writing and publishing process for example editing, book cover choice, launch, publicity - you will be a fly on the wall of my Forge!
Discussion group with other Book Forge subscribers
Podcast material including interviews with experts
Subscribers with me at publication will get a signed, dedicated, first edition of the book they have watched me create.
I hope you decide to join me!