Bluebird signs Rentzenbrink's life writing guide

Bluebird has signed a “kind, encouraging and stimulating” guide to life writing from Cathy Rentzenbrink, featuring advice from authors including Dolly Alderton, Elizabeth Day and Matt Haig.

Publisher Carole Tonkinson acquired world rights to Write It All Down from Jo Unwin at the Jo Unwin Literary Agency. It will be published on 6th January 2022.

The book sees Rentzenbrink show how to find freedom on the page and tackle all the obstacles that prevent us from writing our stories. The publisher said: “Perfect for seasoned writers as well as writing amateurs and everyone in between, this helpful handbook will steer you through the philosophical and practical challenges of writing the self. Intertwined with reflections, anecdotes and exercises, Write It All Down is at once an intimate and enjoyable narrative and an invitation to share your story.”

Tonkinson said: “Not only has Cathy authored a Sunday Times bestselling memoir, taught life writing and been a mentor to countless writers, she is also the warmest, funniest, most permission-giving guide to the subject. Her inclusive approach and her personal experience of transforming events through putting them on the page, is nothing short of inspirational. Working with Cathy — a champion of writers, booksellers and readers — has been a pure joy, too. Write it All Down is a gem.”

Rentzenbrink added: “My absolute favourite thing about my rich and varied writing life is helping other people to tell their stories and I am hugely excited to share everything I have learnt about the rewarding and complex nature of wrestling the self on to the page. I hope the book will work for the broadest possible audience and I imagine it being enjoyed by everyone, from a prize-winning novelist wondering whether to try their hand at a memoir, to someone who is a stranger to writing and picks it up by chance in the prison library. I have admired Bluebird since its inception and am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Carole and the team.”

Unwin commented: “Cathy is the most inspiring teacher and mentor, and this book is like having her kind voice in your ear, encouraging you to keep going, and to tell your story without fear.”