Industry Profile—Yvonne Reddin
How I started
My career began as a hairdresser with a penchant for listening to stories from customers. I am sure this could indeed be a bestseller book, if only I could remember all the personal and backbiting conversations I had many years ago. My hairdressing is most definitely where my love of the human interest story began.
In my twenties and thirties, I began to write about personal things that happened to me like miscarriages, divorce, living with a parent who had Alzheimers, solo parenting, living abroad etc. I attended many memoir and creative writing classes over the years.
My journalism is where I really nailed down my niche area in my career.
My journalism is where I really nailed down my niche area in my career. I created an interview profile piece during Covid, which I sent out to some well-known Irish ‘celebrities’ and also people I heard on the radio and on podcasts that had fascinating stories. With plenty of time on everyone’s hands, I managed to interview over 38 individuals from communities, business and the arts sectors. It was a great collection of stories covering many topics on life, pivoting careers, well-being, mindset, suicide, grief, adoption and so much more.
Instead of leaving all the interviews on my website, I turned it into my first book called Talk Learn Connect. I then went through all the challenges of learning how to self-publish and now I help and support authors with their editing, design and PR & marketing. I love this side to being an author and I incorporate my journalism skills to write reviews for the authors also.
I also created a writer’s series during Covid called The Writer’s Mindset. I was fascinated to hear from a range of authors, to see if they thought you could learn how to be a writer or if it is a gift you are born with. I learned so much from talking with so many fantastic authors.
Where I work now
I work freelance which gives me so much more freedom and scope to broaden and scale my career. I set up a new PR agency this year (2025) called StoryLane PR to help anyone who dislikes PR and needs to hire someone like me who loves it. Currently, my inquiries have been all book related and I also work freelance for UCD Press and have had great success with helping them with PR for some of their beautiful books. I also write frequently for the Irish Daily Mail about my travel recommendations with my twins. My lifestyle articles are published in the Irish Examiner.
The best thing about my role
PR and marketing is not everyone’s favourite job particularly if you are an introverted soul and a writer. I am the opposite and love the excitement of getting media spotlights and mentions in the media for my clients. I don’t rest until I get what I promise to my clients.
I don’t rest until I get what I promise to my clients.
My contact database and my network I have built over the years is the best part of what I do. Building those relationships and nurturing them is the part I love. I attend many events to mingle and grow my network.
A mistake I made
Thinking I could write, edit, proofread, design and publish a book on my own. I eventually gave in to myself and handed my manuscript over to an agency to finish it. I did finally get to see my book in print and it was a very proud moment.
My proudest moment so far
Along with receiving my book in the post, I have had many proud moments. Working with many new authors gives me great satisfaction and I am most proud when I see them launch their own books. There is nothing like that feeling of seeing them present their books at their launches and become professional authors. I know, as I have been there also.
My proudest moment was my academic degrees, I completed a Journalism degree and two Post Graduates in Learning and Teaching and in Business and Entrepreneurship. I failed my Leaving Certificate and didn’t realise I had brains to burn!
What the future holds
To grow my PR agency and help as many authors as I can to get those books written that are hidden away in drawers. If they started to write them, they may just need some guidance and good editing. I am also hoping to go on some more exotic holidays with my twins and write more travel articles on traveling as a solo parent with my twins. Holidays, reading and writing – the ultimate goal.
A book recommendation
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. I am not a quick reader and this book was recommended to me and I read it in two weeks. It was written so well and was so relatable as a writer. I won’t give anything away, just read it.
My PR website is www.storylanepr.com and my contact email is yvonne@yvonnereddin.com
