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I have finished my manuscript!

Today is, if not a time to celebrate, at least a time to take a breather. I have finished my manuscript, and it has just gone to a publisher for their consideration. I have been a bit quiet on my blog recently, but I have accumulated a good few ideas for posts whilst finishing my manuscript in the last weeks, so I will be producing more content here once I have had a break. Hang on though, I am sure that any writer reading this is thinking, 'Wait, does he not have a publishing deal?' The answer to that question is a definite no, but I knew I wanted to write a book following my exit from the teaching profession, so I thought I might as well just get on with writing it and worry about the other stuff later!

It feels like it has been a long and tortuous process, and it has taken six months to get to this stage. I have no idea if that is a long time for a first book, but it's not like I have been doing much else while writing it. Things took a right turn (not in a political sense, mind you) halfway through writing it when it became clear that my first idea was not really marketable. I wanted to write a handbook for new headteachers as I feel that the job is harder than ever now and they need as much support as they can get, but quite rightly, the idea was turned down by multiple publishers due to the size of the potential audience.

So, I went back to the drawing board. After reviewing what I had already written, it soon became clear what direction I needed to take. A significant part of my writing was focused on passing on a leadership style to new heads that had staff and pupil wellbeing at its core, as that was central to the way I led my schools. I had plenty more to say about that than I had included, so that should be the focus of my entire book. So, the manuscript I have sent off today is titled:

"The Whole School Wellbeing Handbook: How to build success by putting people first"

In it, I discuss the formation of a wellbeing-centred leadership style, how to build a wellbeing-focused culture, and how to support the wellbeing of staff, pupils and yourself as headteacher. I also share tried and tested strategies for managing crises that can have a catastrophic impact on the culture of a school. I have presented it as a whole-school strategy, which differs it from other books on the market that focus on one particular aspect of wellbeing. I believe passionately in this book, and I hope that it finds a home. I will keep you posted with any news, dear reader.
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