October
Running Through the Dark Review | Events | Interviews | Change
I welcome in the shorter days and lower sun the last few weeks. I have long found summer months tiring, the days too full, and too little sleep. But towards autumn I feel the heat lessen, the pressure reduce, and I can fit into my rhythm more. The darkness of winter fuels me, rather than brings something to endure. So yes, I welcome September. And the newness of seeing my new corner of the Highlands turn golden for the first time to me.
After the dizzying year of surgery, house move, and tight deadlines for final pieces of my book, it has been hard to stick to my previous regular Substack. Thanks for still being here, especially the paid subscribers. I intend to be back to Friday posts. Most will be for paid subscribers, to support my work and podcast.
Running Through the Dark
The book has been out into the wild for the last few weeks now. I am finding nothing happens overnight and just as it took years to write, so I feel the ripples will spread out over a similar time. It was a letting go of control to send it out into the world, with no grip over who read it and what they thought. In truth, it was heartwarming to receive so many private messages from people who had read it, connected with it and felt less alone because of something I did. Thank you to those who took the time to do that. I have saved each one and if I ever find myself in a field of doubt about my writing, and the why of sharing my words, I will call them back.
I haven’t been focussed on reviews on websites such as Amazon, or Goodreads, either. If you told me a few years ago I would have a book published, I would have imagined myself agonising over each word people left, crumbs to a fragile ego. But instead I stand adrift, upstream, letting the reviews wash away. I wrote this book because it was what I felt needed to be written by me and I didn’t spend a life rewriting and wrestling with each word to create a masterpiece. I feel like if it isn’t for everyone that’s ok. I know there might be runners picking up this book wanting to learn the ins and outs of how I navigated through 190 miles on a race, rather than navigating the highs and lows of life. It might not be something they connect with. And I am ok with that. But I am told the reviews have been good.
I realised that I never get around to leaving reviews for books I read, so I have committed to making more of an effort to do this. They do help the author and publishers so please take the time if you can.
You can order Running Through the Dark HERE
Join me…
A book launch is happening in Hathersage, Peak District at Outside café on 9th October. Tickets are £5 and proceeds will go to Edale Mountain Rescue Team.
If you can’t make that, then I am also doing a talk at Read bookshop in Holmfirth, on the 9th November, which is such a lovely space.
https://to-be-read.co.uk/books/jen-scotney-event/
Catch up
I have also been on the other side of the podcast desk! It has been refreshing to be able to show up without any preparation and let someone else be in the driving seat. Luckily both the recent interviewers had taken the time to read the book and ask some really thoughtful questions:
An interview with Laura Briggs:
Watch me chat with Claire Maxted – with me baffled by switching off my emails in the first few minutes 🙈
Other news
I had a rainy weekend back on the Komoot Hiking Rally in September. It was strange being back – but I think the mindset of working, keeping everyone safe along the miles, distracted me from having too much time to think about the memories held in those miles. Maybe they have faded so much that they are hard to catch there. It was good to be back and introduce some people to this area, and everyone did so well even when at their limits.
Change
I would have said I wasn’t good at change in the past… but does that still hold true? I don’t think so. I have had a year of so much change, and at times it has felt dizzying while the sands kept shifting beneath my feet. But as the sands settle, I realise things are still changing. Maybe I have just got more stable in how I am standing. This month sees my work head off in a new direction, which I will write about later no doubt, and I look forward to thinking about hosting another retreat or two next year – nothing definite yet. Life emerges, for me, after the chrysalis I have been messily sitting in, waiting for my heart to tell me which direction to face. I listened, and took a chance. On change. Now my faithful friend.
