‘Annie’s soul is so soothing and just encourages us to think of things differently’
– Holly Tucker, MBE
Hello, I’m Annie Ridout.
Non-fiction author, journalist for the nationals, essayist, viral poet, Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter, creative entrepreneur, qualified and experienced career coach and mother to three school-aged children (one of whom attends part-time).
On this Substack, I publish two essays a week.
Tuesday: I publish a ‘work’ essay. That might be about success, failure, productivity, creativity, being a freelance writer, running a business. I don’t gate-keep anything. When I learn a new creative approach, in business, I tell you all about it.
Thursday: I write a personal essay. It might be about learning to romance myself, my obsession with nature (and the mini meadow I’ve grown in my north London garden), trying HRT, moving house - we do that a lot - or finding the light in harder times.
“Your writing just makes me want to exhale” - a lovely subscriber
On Substack, I have a bestselling publication with thousands of readers, hundreds of paid subscribers and it often ranks in the global top 50. If you subscribe, you’ll get two weekly essays delivered to your inbox, with a hand-drawn illustration at the top.
(Scroll to the bottom for some of my most popular essays.)
My career
I have an MA in journalism and spent 15 years writing for the Guardian, the Observer, Forbes, Grazia, Red Magazine, Stylist, Metro, the Telegraph, the Independent, the Evening Standard, Refinery29, You Magazine, Women's Health, iNews and more.
This led me onto non-fiction book writing, and I’ve had three books published: Raise your SQ (Radar, 2023), Shy (Fourth Estate 2021), The Freelance Mum (Fourth Estate 2019). I’m also a Sunday Times-bestselling ghostwriter for celebrities.
As a poet, I’ve self-published three collections that have sold in the thousands, globally, and several of my poems have gone viral after being shared by women around the world, including Paloma Faith and Busy Philipps.
I've been interviewed on BBC Woman's Hour, on a panel at Stylist Live, on the Sunday Times Style Secrets of the Side Hustle podcast, on Gaby Roslin's BBC Radio London show, The Jeremy Vine Show and for the Independent.
Here’s what people in my Substack community say…
"I love reading Annie's work and often find both reassurance and empowerment in her writing" - Emma Svanberg
"Your work is thought provoking and encourages action. I love that!" - Shahidah Al-AMin
"Hi Annie. Always love what you write and always inspired by your Madonna-like ability to change, adapt and flex to what you, your family and your career require. Brava! Felicity " - Felicity Haythorn
Here are some popular articles…
