Emma Murray

'Brilliantly witty and marvellously observed...' Cathy Kelly ‘It’s just a phase,’ they said. ‘These are the happiest years of your life,’ they said... Mother of one and professional writer Saoirse (pronounced Seersha, not Searcy – thanks a bunch Game of Thrones!) is still adjusting to the demands of motherhood, four years after the birth of her daughter, Anna. Living in the claustrophobic London suburb of Woodvale, and being surrounded by passive-aggressive mum-wars, isn’t helping. Neither is her increasingly pent-up anger at her once-perfect husband. Her only comrade in arms, best friend Bea, is the one thing keeping her sane. When Saoirse’s agent asks her to pitch for a book, she is horrified to discover the topic is motherhood. How can she possibly write a ‘warts and all’ account of being a mother without giving away what it’s really like? Laugh-out-loud funny, painfully well-observed, but with an unmistakable warmth and unforgettable characters, this is the perfect read for anyone who desperately needs a break! The novel may or may not have been inspired by real life... Praise for Emma Murray: 'Emma Murray's Time Out is a brilliantly witty and marvellously observed novel about young motherhood when there's always someone ready to tell you that you're doing it all wrong.' Cathy Kelly 'Emma tells it how it is with real honesty, and it made me laugh out loud.' Janet Hoggarth 'Witty, fun, beautifully-written. Very highly recommended. Excited to see what comes next from Emma Murray.' Jessica Redland What readers are saying about Time Out: ’Time Out was exactly what I needed right now, it's Hilarious, Witty, Brilliantly Written, Authentic, Compelling, Uplifting and so very relatable.The characters are superbly written, and I really hope we get to read more from Saoirse.’ ’This book is a reminder of the importance of a support system: old friends, new friends, parents, and sometimes even a kind word from a stranger.’ ’I really related to the Saoirse, the main character in this book. I loved her humour, her insecurities, her strengths, her flaws and of course most importantly how she formed a fantastic friendship over a morning bottle of Prosecco.’ ’Emma Murray has written a 5-star 'how-to' book on being part of the village ... 'it takes a village to raise a child' but it also takes that village to raise up a mom!’ ’A fabulous read that had me hooked and also made me feel glad that my children were born prior to the arrival of Facebook and social media. But a refreshing read and one I would definitely recommend.’

A laugh-out-loud read for 2021

Time Out

Brand new from the bestselling author of Time Out and The Juggle. 'Clever, wise and achingly funny.' Cathy Kelly When her husband David announces he’s been offered a job in New York, Saoirse is thrilled. The glamour of the big city, the shopping, the culture, not to mention the free Manhattan apartment and business class air fare – what’s not to like? There’s just the small matter of making it work for their daughter, five-year-old Anna, who isn’t so keen to leave her friends and school behind. The Big Apple in the middle of summer isn’t quite the holiday Saoirse envisaged, and with David away with work, New York apartment sizes on the miniscule side, and the pace of life faster than the sleepy London suburbs, solo ex-pat parenting pushes Saoirse to her limits. And as the pressure builds and ‘faking it till she makes it’ isn’t cutting it, there’s only one thing for it – Saoirse and Anna need a new plan, and ‘Winging It’ might be their best option... Emma Murray returns with this laugh-out-loud funny, compulsively page-turning adventure about parenting, travelling, and finding your tribe – on both sides of the pond. Praise for Emma Murray: 'If you've ever despaired of the school WhatsApp group, torn your hair out over what to cook for the kids' dinner, again, and wonder why your beloved still believes in the Laundry Fairy, The Juggle is for you. Emma Murray's clever, wise and achingly funny novel about life as a modern mum will make you grin with recognition - and not feel alone. It's not just you, then! There are lots of novels about Having It All but The Juggle combines wisdom, humour and utter warmth as Emma Murray's central character, Saoirse, does her best to keep all the balls in the air.... And guess what, she drops some.' Cathy Kelly 'Emma Murray’s writing is so deft: rib ticklingly funny and also heartbreakingly poignant at times that the reader is swept along with Saoirse and her cast of supporting characters as they navigate their increasingly hectic lives. I finished The Juggle immediately wanting more.' Fay Keenan 'Emma tells it how it is with real honesty, and it made me laugh out loud.' Janet Hoggarth 'Witty, fun, beautifully-written. Very highly recommended. Excited to see what comes next from Emma Murray.' Jessica Redland Readers loved Emma’s first book Time Out: ‘Compelling, Uplifting and so very relatable. The characters are superbly written, and I really hope we get to read more from Saoirse.’ ‘I really related to the Saoirse, the main character in this book. I loved her humour, her insecurities, her strengths, her flaws and of course most importantly how she formed a fantastic friendship over a morning bottle of Prosecco.’ ‘Emma Murray has written a 5-star 'how-to' book on being part of the village ... 'it takes a village to raise a child' but it also takes that village to raise up a mom!’ ‘A fabulous read that had me hooked and also made me feel glad that my children were born prior to the arrival of Facebook and social media. But a refreshing read and one I would definitely recommend.’

Winging It

'Clever, wise and achingly funny.' Cathy Kelly‘You can have it all,’ they said. ‘Happy children, happy marriage, great career – no problem,’ they said... Mother-of-one Saoirse is just about holding it all together – combining part time work with the school run, while her husband David gets to focus on his career. But when David loses his job, everything has to change. With no hesitation, Saoirse suggests she takes on the role of main breadwinner. After all, how hard can it be? And when a new client offers her a life-changing sum of money, Saoirse can look the other over-achieving Woodvale school-run mums in the eye with pride. But there’s a problem with keeping too many balls in the air – eventually one is bound to drop. And when that happens – well, who knows what the consequences could be... Laugh-out-loud funny, achingly relatable, but with a heart of gold, and warmth running through every page. This is the perfect read for anyone who has way too many balls in the air! The novel may or may not have been inspired by real life... Praise for Emma Murray: 'If you've ever despaired of the school WhatsApp group, torn your hair out over what to cook for the kids' dinner, again, and wonder why your beloved still believes in the Laundry Fairy, The Juggle is for you. Emma Murray's clever, wise and achingly funny novel about life as a modern mum will make you grin with recognition - and not feel alone. It's not just you, then! There are lots of novels about Having It All but The Juggle combines wisdom, humour and utter warmth as Emma Murray's central character, Saoirse, does her best to keep all the balls in the air.... And guess what, she drops some.' Cathy Kelly 'Emma tells it how it is with real honesty, and it made me laugh out loud.' Janet Hoggarth 'Witty, fun, beautifully-written. Very highly recommended. Excited to see what comes next from Emma Murray.' Jessica Redland Readers loved Emma’s first book Time Out: ‘Compelling, Uplifting and so very relatable. The characters are superbly written, and I really hope we get to read more from Saoirse.’ ‘I really related to the Saoirse, the main character in this book. I loved her humour, her insecurities, her strengths, her flaws and of course most importantly how she formed a fantastic friendship over a morning bottle of Prosecco.’ ‘Emma Murray has written a 5-star 'how-to' book on being part of the village ... 'it takes a village to raise a child' but it also takes that village to raise up a mom!’ ‘A fabulous read that had me hooked and also made me feel glad that my children were born prior to the arrival of Facebook and social media. But a refreshing read and one I would definitely recommend.’

A laugh-out-loud, relatable read for 2021

The Juggle

'Brilliantly witty and marvellously observed...' Cathy Kelly 'It's just a phase, ' they said. 'These are the happiest years of your life, ' they said... Mother of one and professional writer Saoirse (pronounced Seersha, not Searcy - thanks a bunch Game of Thrones!) is still adjusting to the demands of motherhood, four years after the birth of her daughter, Anna. Living in the claustrophobic London suburb of Woodvale, and being surrounded by passive-aggressive mum-wars, isn't helping. Neither is her increasingly pent-up anger at her once-perfect husband. Her only comrade in arms, best friend Bea, is the one thing keeping her sane. When Saoirse's agent asks her to pitch for a book, she is horrified to discover the topic is motherhood. How can she possibly write a 'warts and all' account of being a mother without giving away what it's really like? Laugh-out-loud funny, painfully well-observed, but with an unmistakable warmth and unforgettable characters, this is the perfect read for anyone who desperately needs a break! The novel may or may not have been inspired by real life... For fans of Motherland! Praise for Emma Murray: 'Emma Murray's Time Out is a brilliantly witty and marvellously observed novel about young motherhood when there's always someone ready to tell you that you're doing it all wrong.' Cathy Kelly 'Emma tells it how it is with real honesty, and it made me laugh out loud.' Janet Hoggarth 'Witty, fun, beautifully-written. Very highly recommended. Excited to see what comes next from Emma Murray.' Jessica Redland What readers are saying about Time Out: 'Time Out was exactly what I needed right now, it's Hilarious, Witty, Brilliantly Written, Authentic, Compelling, Uplifting and so very relatable.The characters are superbly written, and I really hope we get to read more from Saoirse.' 'This book is a reminder of the importance of a support system: old friends, new friends, parents, and sometimes even a kind word from a stranger.' 'I really related to the Saoirse, the main character in this book. I loved her humour, her insecurities, her strengths, her flaws and of course most importantly how she formed a fantastic friendship over a morning bottle of Prosecco.' 'Emma Murray has written a 5-star 'how-to' book on being part of the village ... 'it takes a village to raise a child' but it also takes that village to raise up a mom!' 'A fabulous read that had me hooked and also made me feel glad that my children were born prior to the arrival of Facebook and social media. But a refreshing read and one I would definitely recommend.'

Charlie Wilson

This book tells you how to build a successful freelance business around supplying publishing services. The publishing industry depends on freelancers: writers and editors, proofreaders and designers, PR and typesetters. For those in the know, there is a wealth of opportunities on offer. Graduates, retired professionals, in-house editors, career-changers more and more people are taking the plunge and going freelance. You can succeed as a freelancer in publishing, and this book shows you how. It includes top tips; insider knowledge and case studies; information on how to market yourself, deal with finance and find out what your clients are looking for plus invaluable insights from other successful freelancers and industry experts.

How To Succeed As A Freelancer In Publishing

Puberty is a critical period of development characterized by rapid physiological changes and significant brain reorganizing and remodeling. These rapid changes render the developing brain particularly vulnerable to stress and immune challenge. In mice, exposure to an immune challenge (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) during puberty causes enduring effects on stress reactivity, cognitive functioning, and depression- and anxiety-like behaviors later in life. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. The gut microbiome can profoundly influence the immune system. There is also close bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system (CNS) through neural, endocrine and immune signaling pathways, which can alter brain chemistry and emotional behaviour. Thus, we hypothesized that altering microbial composition during puberty could mitigate acute immune responses and prevent enduring outcomes later in life. The current thesis examined the effect of gut manipulation with probiotics during puberty on LPS-induced immune responses and enduring anxiety- and depression-like behaviours, and stress-reactivity in adulthood, in male and female CD1 mice (Article 1). Next, we examined age and sex differences in gut microbial composition before and after exposure to an immune challenge. We also examined the effects of consuming a single strain probiotic bacterium (Lactobacillus Reuteri) during puberty on the immune response and the long-term changes in memory, anxiety-like behavior, and stress reactivity in adulthood (Article 2). Lastly, we examined how microbial colonization between pubertal and adult mice can alter acute peripheral and central inflammatory responses to LPS (Article 3). The current dissertation has addressed sex-specific vulnerabilities to an immune challenge during pubertal development and the moderating influence of the gut microbiome. These studies have demonstrated that manipulating the gut microbiome during puberty can mitigate acute immune responses and prevent enduring neurobehavioural outcomes later in life.

Role of the Gut Microbiota and Neurobehavioural Outcomes

Immune Challenge During Puberty

Alan Sugar is a business legend. When it comes to business, Sugar is both feared and fearless. Shrewd businessman, inspirational figure and sweet-talking star of The Apprentice, this man knows how to strike a deal. The Unauthorized Guide to Doing Business the Alan Sugar Way draws out the universal lessons from Alan Sugar's remarkable success and identifies 10 strategies that can be applied to any business or career: Don't push or shove Start a revolution Know your customer Stay true to your values Learn from your mistakes Drive a hard bargain Invest in the right people Lead from the front Win as a team Hire in haste, repent at leisure Want to be the best? The secrets of phenomenal success are in your hands. Check out the other Unauthorized Guides in this series: Richard Branson; Duncan Bannatyne; Jamie Oliver; Bill Gates; and Philip Green.

Emma Murray

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