Testimonials
‘Work experience… nothing short of insightful’
My work experience with Catherine was nothing short of insightful.
Whilst I study journalism, I am still unsure on pursing it as a career and I was apprehensive about seeking placement. My degree means I am surrounded by big media outlets so coming to the Valley with Catherine really opened my eyes to a different type of journalism. Her close connection to the community and the relationships she has built with those in it is something I hope to mirror whether I decide to pursue journalism or not.
As it was a requirement to do placement as part of my course, I compared my experience with my peers’ where a lot of them went to the big corporations rather than freelance. I was shocked to learn that many of them were not happy with their time there. They felt they learnt too little and there were days they would simply sit and wait to be given a task. It was strange to come back from my five-day long placement having been all over the Valley, spoken to a whole range of people whilst my peers had not despite the reputation of the companies.
As I am from the Valley, Catherine went out of her way to get me back to the places and schools I went to as a child so I could nostalgically see how they have changed, this just totally topped my experience with her.
Looking back, I don’t understand how we managed to cram so much into just five days. I learnt how to use newspaper-building websites, how to structure print articles for different platforms, and we went to a different area each day. We enjoyed brews, we laughed and reminisced on the days I attended her newspaper club as a primary school pupil. Above all else, Catherine taught me the importance of taking time out to put work aside and get into nature. Fitting in a walk each day of placement is something I have continued to do since my time with her.
I enjoyed every minute of my time with Catherine, and I strongly believe it is the closest I could have been to being a real journalist. I could not recommend her enough.
Natalie Jeppesen
‘Shining a light on such a distressing issue’
Review: Weirdo Mosher Freak: the murder of Sophie Lancaster
I’m Becky and I have just finished reading your book ‘weirdo mosher freak’ about the murder of Sophie Lancaster.
I just wanted to send an email and let you know how much I love the book. I have chosen to use it for my A level English Language and Literature coursework, where I have chosen the theme- ‘Gothic- then and now’. I have to write a fiction and non fiction piece broadly connected to a theme of Gothic.
Your amazing book has been inspiration for my non fiction piece, where I am discussing my personal experiences as a member of an alternative/gothic subculture in an autobiographical form.
Reading your story about the Sophie Lancaster case has been so interesting, and so deeply moving. I cried many times whilst reading it, and also resonated with many mentions of abuse directed towards goths/ people who follow alternative styles. Though I have never endured violent physical abuse for the way I dress, I receive negative comments and am mocked on a daily basis and this is what I wished to write about in my non fiction piece.
I’m not sure whether you will read this or not but if you do I just wanted to say thank you for creating this beautiful book, and for shining a light on such a distressing issue. And also for helping to inspire my writing, which in turn has given me a greater understanding of myself and my style and subculture.
I sell new copies of my book on Amazon please click on the new books sold for £3.20.
I sell new copies of my book on ebay.
I also donate to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation and so far the charity has received over £2,200.
‘Shows that journalists are in fact human and can be affected by the stories they cover’
The first thing that caught my eye with this book was the title, having been called by these names and many others over the years I just had to pick it up. When I realised it was about the murder of Sophie Lancaster and the attack on her boyfriend Rob Maltby I just had to take it home and read it (in a matter of hours as it turns out). Smyth begins by making it very clear that this book is not written to be a comprehensive look at the crime itself or the investigations and trials afterwards but is about how it affected her as a journalist and as an individual. And she is true to her word, there are no testimonies or interviews from the other people involved in the story apart from those that affected Smyth at the time or led to key events or moments in the tale. Instead Smyth shows that journalists are in fact human and can be affected by the stories they cover, even finding themselves getting involved with the victims and their families.
Smyth does cover the murder and assault as well as the subsequent investigation and trial while keeping the focus on her own thoughts and feelings about these. However she does still manage to let the reader make up their own minds as well, which for me is a vital part of the story as Sophie and Rob were attacked by those with closed minds, unable to vocalise their opinions without the use of violence. Smyth also addresses some of the misconceptions that surround the case, including showing how varied the alternatives sub cultures really are and how the labels used by the mainstream often end up encouraging misunderstandings, misconceptions and unnecessary bad feelings (honestly we are actually nice people, on the whole). Best of all Smyth uses this book to show how positive changes can come out of something so negative and horrifying.
Weirdo.Mosher.Freak review by Ecowitch on Waterstones
https://www.waterstones.com/books/reviews/isbn/9781904590279#review-71700
‘Shares the full story and is passionately written with understandable emotion’
A truly tragic event covered exceptionally well. Facts compiled from every angle to share the truth, the impact and the injustice of what happened to Sophie and Rob. This book shares the full story and is passionately written with understandable emotion. I strongly recommend reading! The Sophie Lancaster Foundation is doing a very important job. A strong believer of not judging a book by it’s cover (which in this instance is beyond powerful)
Amazon Review – Weirdo Mosher Freak
‘Thank you Catherine for your compassion and empathy put into words and photography’
Massive thank you Catherine for your compassion and empathy put into words and photography, when you covered the funeral of my late husband, you did him proud and you used your excellent skills to put the magical touch on the day, we Thankyou very much on behalf of myself and all the family and his friends.‘Taking notes as she goes along and then like magic, she can somehow write an amazing article while you wait’
Catherine helped us promote my daughter’s fundraising pages with her brilliant journalistic approach. She is punctual, organised, seems to know EVERYONE. She is amazing at linking up people with people which isn’t necessarily a writing skill but is certainly a useful skill to tap into if you are trying to promote a business or cause close to your heart.‘Communicates clearly and does what she says she will in an agreed time frame’
Catherine has provided media related support to my Armed Forces project for the last six months. During this time she has conducted interviews with my project stakeholders; created both articles and press releases, and established a new project newsletter, contributing articles, design and formatting.
I have found Catherine to be both professional and personable in my dealings with her. She works collaboratively with me to ensure articles are informative and factually correct, but also personal enough to be engaging to the audience.
Catherine brings a good knowledge of the Armed Forces community from working with other projects, which she is happy to share. She communicates clearly and does what she says she will in an agreed time frame. This made working with Catherine very effective and a pleasure.
I have enjoyed working with Catherine to date and look forward to developing new marketing opportunities with her as my project develops.
Ian Barber
Project Lead at Lancashire Armed Forces Covenant Hub UCLan
‘People are talking about my business all over thanks to Catherine’
I have recently had the pleasure of working with Catherine. I simply dropped her a message and within a week Catherine was sat with me in Hunters Foot Health Clinic where she very professionally began to piece my story together, what a talented writer Catherine is, I received the piece later that day and of course I was delighted with her work.
The official opening of the Clinic took place a week later. Catherine came along and took photos of the proceedings, I didn’t realise how many pictures she was taking so I was delighted to see so many natural shots, Catherine certainly captured the excitement of the day. With pictures the story of my professional journey was complete.
I am over the moon with the result and how it has helped raise the profile of my business. The piece has been published in two papers and put on Lancashire Telegraph’s website. People are talking about my business all over thanks to Catherine, I highly recommend her and will be using her talents again.
Catherine Hunter
Hunter’s Foot Health Clinic
‘Very well and sensitively written’
Weirdo Mosher Freak / The Sophie Lancaster Story
Finished the book yesterday. Very well and sensitively written.
Jody Lee
Manchester
‘Bring reality to our lives’
Catherine your articles, written for VIC, bring reality to our lives.
Thank you.
Ronnie Barker
Chairman of Veterans In Communities
‘High standards and integrity’
As ever Catherine you always provide excellent news stories and a standard of reporting at the highest level. Those stories are always a very enjoyable read and in some case’s are heartwarming real life stories of a great number of honest hardworking members of our wider community across Rossendale and beyond.
Having watched with a great deal of interest, it just a shame there are not more journalists of your high standards and integrity, on behalf of the good people of Rossendale and Lancashire as a whole thank you for all your help and support of all our wider community, once again thank you.
Alan Neal
Vice President of the Lancashire Association of Local Councils.
‘Couldn’t put it down till all read. Just wow’
The Sophie Lancaster Story / Weirdo Mosher Freak book
Well I’ve finally read the book. Just finished it now parked in a layby outside Cambridge. Couldn’t put it down till all read. Just wow.
Gary Thomas