Northampton business founder takes leap to follow creativity and active imagination to write Halloween children’s book
A business founder has taken the leap to follow her creative side and active imagination to write a Halloween-themed children’s book, which she hopes will be the first of many.
Zoe Chatley is the author of ‘Jack Lantern - The Happy Halloween Pumpkin’, which is worlds apart from her day job as the founder of consumer electronics and IT specialist recruitment agency The Channel Recruiter.
“I’m an active recruiter in that space,” Zoe told the Chronicle & Echo. “I work with major IT manufacturers and vendors, distribution and resell partners, and tech businesses.”
When asked what inspired her to become a children’s author alongside her work as a recruiter, Zoe continued: “I have a six-year-old little boy and every night we read together. Throughout his life, he’s asked me to make up silly stories.
“Last Halloween, I came up with Jack Lantern, the boy with the pumpkin head who has magical powers. It started from the love and joy of talking to my son and making up stories. It’s the magic of being a parent to use your imagination.”
It was never Zoe’s plan to write a book, but the initial story kept evolving when she retold it to her son – and she was then inspired by an author she met at a women’s business event who had self-published her first book.
“I realised life’s too short and wrote the story,” said Zoe. “I adapted it, edited it and sent it to other mums, which got really good feedback. I sent it off to a local illustration agency to see if it had any legs. They loved it but their fees were astronomical.”
This process started in June and Zoe leant on a friend, who is a graphic designer and videographer, who kindly offered to illustrate the book – and it is now ready to be enjoyed by the masses.
Zoe said: “The story itself centres around a group of children who are friends with Jack, who is the guardian of Halloween and keeps them safe. He’s told about some children bullying others and taking their treats, and it explores being kind and fair.”
As well as the book being available to purchase from Zoe’s online store, she will be doing readings and selling copies from 11.30am on October 29 at Moulton Library and from 1pm on October 30 at Kingsthorpe Library.
A portion of profits from book sales will be donated to Zoe’s friend’s charity The Tor-Rox Foundation, which means a lot to the author as she has admiration for Tor Skinner. The charity helps cancer patients access specialist fitness and strength training programs during or after diagnosis.
Zoe said: “I have written a second book for Jack Lantern about how he becomes the magical pumpkin boy. I’ll see how this first book goes and see if we can get the second published in good time for next autumn.
“So many people hold back on doing things that excite and encourage them. Jump out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to push yourself. I’ve loved every second of this and hopefully I can do more of it.”