Freelancer's guide to parenting coming next year

4th Estate will publish a guide to parenting as a freelancer by journalist Annie Ridout.

World rights to Ridout’s debut book, The Freelance Mum, were acquired directly by Michelle Kane, PR and publishing director at the HarperCollins imprint. Publication is scheduled for early 2019.

Ridout is the editor of parenting website The Early Hour and has written for various outlets such as Red, the Guardian, Stylist and the BBC.

The Freelance Mum is described as an “indispensable guide which will provide the framework for how to become a successful freelance mum by covering topics like how to get started, where to work from, childcare, getting clients and what to charge for different types of work”.

The title has already attracted early praise from Grazia acting deputy editror, Rosamund Dean, who described it as necessary "for anyone juggling freelance work with childcare” as well as endorsing quotes from Eve Wiseman, Observer columnist and Brigid Moss, contributing editor of Red.

Ridout said: “There's no easy way to balance motherhood and a career but freelancing, as a mum, might just be as close as you can get to finding a comfortable, guilt-free, work-life balance. You can do the drop-offs and make it to the school concerts all while building a lucrative, varied and exciting career.”

She revealed that she “can't wait to share all the tips and tricks I've picked up on my own journey as a freelance mum”.

Kane said: “Even before it’s been written the demand and support for it on Annie’s channels alone point to the fact that this book is set to become an essential read and an invaluable tool for mothers who are thinking of becoming freelance or who have been forced to re-think their in-house career.”