I met my latest guest at a networking group in Banbury, and when she started talking about decluttering, I jumped at the chance to pick her brains! If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a house full of ‘stuff’ and no clue where to start. Callie is the expert you need! Not only can she bring calm back to your home, but she’s written a book to help us, which is out now.
Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?)
I never thought I’d write a book, let alone publish one. I only decided what I wanted to do when I grew up 4 years ago!
I am the founder of Ace Decluttering & Organising. I get to go into people’s homes and businesses and help them feel less overwhelmed and stressed by the stuff around them. I truly love my job.
I am also a keen gardener, love baking and have tried most forms of arts and crafts at some point. More of a cup of tea, cake & chat kind of girl than a boozy night out.
What genre is your book, and what is it about?
My book is more of a planner and organiser. ‘The Home Admin Hub’ is designed to help busy people keep all those important bits of home admin information in one easy-to-find place, rather than scattered across different files, emails, apps, or living in one person’s head.
It covers everything from insurance, finances and household bills to medical information, vehicles, pets, schools and children’s activities. The aim is to make managing a household simpler, reduce the mental load and make it easier for everyone in the home to find the information they need. It’s not really a book you sit down and read from cover to cover. It’s something you fill in, refer back to and keep updated, so it becomes a practical reference guide for your household.
What or who inspired you to write this book?
I’ve seen various filing systems while working with clients: the older generation tends to keep much of their household admin in paper files, the younger generation mostly on apps, and people in the middle (my age) who have a mix of paper and apps. Older clients voiced concern about ‘what if something happened to me’, and others, like myself, just feel like their brain will implode from holding all this information. So I tried to find a way to solve the issue for every household, whether it’s a single person, a couple, or a family.
What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Speak to someone who has written and published a book; even better, several people. They will share nuggets of information about things you didn’t even know about, as well as pitfalls to avoid.
What is your least favourite part of the publishing/writing process, and how do you manage this?
The actual publishing part: I was unsure how to do it myself and hired a cheap publisher. Unfortunately, they have dragged the last part of the journey out over months, and it’s been super frustrating. I coped by eating chocolate and having the occasional tantrum.
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Tell friends and family about it, encourage them to get a copy and most importantly, fill it in. Many people don’t think this thing even exists and don’t realise they need it until they do.
What is your next project?
A similar concept for the sole trader
Where can readers connect with you?
Newsletter sign-up on website: https://www.acedecluttering.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callieearly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AceDecluttering/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ace_decluttering/
Link to purchase book: https://amzn.eu/d/0e81WZ1h
Meet the Author
Callie Early is the author of The Home Admin Hub and founder of Ace Decluttering & Organising. With a background in administration and a love of creating practical systems, she now helps people reduce the stress and overwhelm caused by clutter and disorganisation in their homes and businesses.
Her experience working with clients, combined with years of managing the home admin that comes with family life, inspired her to create The Home Admin Hub: a simple way to keep important household information organised, accessible and out of your head.
When she isn’t organising other people’s homes or her own, Callie enjoys gardening, baking and trying her hand at various arts and crafts, preferably accompanied by a cup of tea, a slice of cake and a good chat.
Shelley Wilson Author 