This week, AuthorHouse welcomes Angela Preston to Author’s Digest. Opening Doors, her first book self-published book with AuthorHouse, recounts growing up in Liverpool, UK—but more on that later!
Angela, please tell us a bit about yourself.
I’ve been married to Barry for 24 years and mum to Christopher (25), Leighton (22), and Joseph (20). I work in the corporate world within the finance sector for 20 years (including a leadership role for the last six) before leaving last year to follow my dream of becoming a coach and a motivational speaker.
Before writing my first book I had no experience of writing, other than completing reports and appraisals within my role. My sister named me Hans Christian Anderson when I was a child though (I always had a story to tell), and my dad nicknamed me Kate Adie, an English journalist, so I must have always been a writer without realizing it until years later.
What about literary influences? Were there any that helped you develop your style?
I didn’t have anyone in particular that influenced my style or genre, although I’ve read quite a few books and watched videos about speakers and leaders. I did, however, completely resonate with Brendan Burchard, who influenced me on writing a book; I could relate to his story.
Please tell us about Opening Doors.
My book is a life story about growing up with five sisters in a poor area in Liverpool, and how–with hope for the future and a dream, as well as a wonderful foundation of love to grow on–you can go on to achieve your goals. The book evokes a lot of different emotions through the trials and tribulations I have been through: from being a child born in a poor family to having to deal with the loss of both parents; my husband suffering catastrophic injuries in an accident; emigrating and losing everything before coming home; facing a near death experience, and then going on to achieve my career goal and inspiring others to follow their dreams.
