A chance offer to rebrand, relaunch and update my book on the murder of Sophie Lancaster has had an incredible response.
The original book was published in 2010 under the title Weirdo Mosher Freak, the new version The Sophie Lancaster Story, has been updated to bring the story right up to 2016 as so much has happened with the foundation set up in Sophie’s name while three of those responsible for the attack on Rob are now out on licence.
The book has been published by true crime author RJ Parker from Canada, who reviewed the original book back in 2012. His daughter has a Goth friend who is not treated fairly and RJ gave her my book to read… the rest is history.
Many new reviews have been posted to Amason in the UK, America, Canada and Australia The book has been consistently in the top 10 for true crime and UK history Kindle books. It will also be recorded as an audiobook.
My former employer the Rossendale Free Press documented the story.
Since the publication of Weirdo Mosher Freak, sales have resulted in 860 pounds being donated to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. I will continue to donate money from sales of the new book to benefit the work of the foundation.
Photograph Liz Henson Photography
OTHER NEWS
My contracted schools have certainly kept me busy. Since my last update I have written another nine stories for Haslingden High School including about students playing with their Scout Band for Royalty in Windsor, becoming Lancashire champions at netball and the school’s Wind Band being picked to play at a national concert.
At Fearns Community Sports College, pupils hit the headlines for helping to raise money for their own school lockers, representing England in the World Kickboxing Championships and winning a soapbox challenge in Bacup.
Whitworth Community High School has also been in the news as students also went to Windsor to play for Royalty, they made their own CD and sold it for charity and rugby playing siblings both won the same trophy from their club.
Veterans In Communities has also been very busy, with a six-page special being produced to highlight May’s activities. These included a water sports challenge day, when yours truly joined the team and had a brilliant time. Work in Darwen involving VIC and the Prince’s Trust also made a page lead in the Lancashire Telegraph.
I was also tasked to carry out an ad hoc job for Dansworks Dance Academy and the story about a four-year-old boy from Cambodia visiting the studio to say thanks for paying towards his education made the Rossendale Free Press and Lancashire Telegraph. BBC Radio Lancashire also employed me to cover the local elections for Rossendale Borough Council, as an election junkie it was right up my street.
In the meantime, one of my school prospectuses needed renewing so I spent a day at Thorn Primary School taking photographs to capture school life as well as renewing the school prospectus and brochure.
In two weeks’ time I will be covering the inaugural Hyndburn Business Awards, I have been commissioned to provide publicity for the awards and they have been an outstanding success with more than 200 businesses nominated.
When the snow came down in Weir just before the end of April I was quick to capture it with my camera and as a BBC ‘Weather Watcher’ I posted my photo and it was selected to be shown on the national weather forecast at lunchtime – the meteorologist said ‘I couldn’t resist this one’. Neither could I.
June is always a busy month for me, especially as at the end of June I spend a week at Fearns working with 10 Year 9 Literacy Leaders to produce their school newspaper Fearns Chat, a 16-page A4 newspaper circulated to prospective parents and the wider community… and two days later it is carnival day on June 26, I am chairman of Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival and what a busy day it is.
To see the cuttings from these stories, and many more, like my Facebook Business Page Catherine Smyth Media.
Until my next update, keep busy – I know I shall.