Launching a book is something many journalists dream of. But with most things in her life, Rescu founder Bahar Etminan has worked hard to make that dream a reality - launching makeover guide Rescu me!. BD sits down with the editor to find out just how the book came about and what people can expect from it.
What made you decide to launch a book?
Being a published author was on my bucket list. I have grown up loving anything on self improvement and personal development, so it was a dream come true to be approached by Harlequin MIRA. They heard me speak at a digital publishing conference and approached me to write a print book. Funny how the world works!
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I had the idea and the chapter outlines already in my head. I actually always do business plans or inspo boards for ideas I have. The book idea was from four years ago, and each year I'd look over it and flesh it out. I think if you are ready, the opportunity presents itself and then boom, it's show time! I have a TV show idea too. I've done quite a bit of work on it and am just waiting for the right moment...
Did you talk to a publisher about your idea, or did you first begin writing the book?
I had the idea and when the publisher approached me, I worked closely with them to get their advice on what sells, what resonates and how to fine tune my concept. They were absolutely delightful, considerate and a partner in making the book come to life. It was truly a dream experience working with my editor and publisher. I also hired my friend and beauty writer extraordinaire Tracey Withers to work with me in-house to ensure the details, research and facts were in order for every single chapter. She was my sounding board and gatekeeper of the nitty gritty. I'm all about the big picture and Tracey was the meticulous one. She made me sound better than I really do.
Was it hard writing a book while you were also working full-time on your website?
It was hard because I did the whole thing in four months. I worked literally through the night, all weekend and round the clock. I had so much help from my internal team and external advisors, designers and of course all the experts who have contributed and made the book what it is. The expert advice is theirs, not mine, so getting their words and message right was very important and what really made the task epic.
How did you manage to juggle the two while also being a mum?
It was not easy. I would put Lilly to bed then jump on Skype or pore through pages and pages of copy. We did shoots on the weekends. Thank goodness she is at pre-school!
What can people expect from Rescu me!?
A really useful, honest and hopefully fun guide to transforming any aspect of their life that could do with a dose of fabulous. It's about seeing beauty as a total package. The pyramid of beauty at the beginning of the book talks to the fact that unless all the pillars of your life are aligned, no lipstick or hope in a jar will make you gorgeous. The older I get, and the more beautiful women I meet, I can see the correlation between joy and wellbeing on the inside, translating to beauty on the outside.
What sets it apart from other makeover guides?
It's holistic and it approaches the reader from a point of view that they are not broken. I believe most women just have a few areas of their life to polish before they can shine like a diamond. It's a choose-your-own-adventure book. You can read it from cover to cover, or dip and dive into the chapters that resonate with you. I also think having advice from multiple experts keeps it real and less dogmatic. For beauty, we feature the in-depth expert advice of four hairdressers, a make-up artist, a cosmetic physician, a cosmetic surgeon and a naturopath. There is not one way to get beautiful. I even explore the timeless beauty of four classic icons: Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot.
Do you expect readers to be similar to Rescu users or are you looking to appeal to a wider audience?
I think the book will appeal to a wide audience. It's being retailed in all sorts of outlets from Target to David Jones to the airport. I think women from every demographic love the idea of uplifting, positive and practical advice. I think there's something in the book for you whether you are 18 or in your 60's. My mum and her friends have told me they love the beauty tips and contouring guides Michael Brown has done and they are of course hanging on to every last word from Dr Joseph Hkeik!
You have some top experts included in the book. Who are they?
The experts are naturopath Anthia Koullouros, cosmetic physician Dr Joseph Hkeik, GP Dr Claudia Lee, image and fashion consultant Colette Werden, make-up artist Michael Brown, personal trainer and fitness coach Sally Matterson, accountant and financial advisor Anthony Bell, human behaviour expert Dr John Demartini, dietician and nutritionist Lyndi Polivnick, clinical psychologist Annie Gurton, fashion stylist Emma Read, mindfulness coach and NLP practitioner Simonne Lee, family and relationships therapist Dr Karen Phillip, life and business coach Dr Fred Grosse, plastic surgeon Dr Shahram Shahidi, celebrity hairstylist Joh Bailey, Dessange Paris hair team, and skincare formulator Joe Lewis.
What made you choose these experts?
They are the best, they are authentic and they are uniquely qualified to share the latest advice and practical tools to get you from blah to fabulous.
What has been the feedback so far about the book?
The book has been extremely well received by retailers. It's been on sale for only a week and we've already gone through the first print run. I was thrilled that David Jones and Myer supported the book release. They were really incredible in their enthusiasm for this kind of content and that makes me so happy.
Do you plan on writing any follow-on makeover guides?
Possibly. Let's see how we go.
Would you ever leave the world of the web to become a full-time book author?
I don't think I need to choose. You can have it all but just not all at once!
To read chapter previews of Rescu Me!, visit http://rescu.com.au/rescu-me-chapter-previews/.