Please Help Me Publish My Next Book – Trying Again (Working Title)

Hi, I’m Paul Wardle, an independent author, and I’m currently working on my next book, Trying Again — a collection of short stories about love, loss, hope, and everyday life.

These stories are rooted in the quiet, often overlooked moments that shape us — from growing up above a fading barber shop, to lives touched by addiction, memory, and the search for belonging. Some are reflective, others more raw, but all explore what it means to carry on when life doesn’t quite go to plan.

At its heart, Trying Again is a book about resilience — about the small decisions that shape who we are, and the idea that no matter where we find ourselves, we can always try again.

Publishing independently is something I care deeply about, but it comes with real financial challenges. My last book cost over £4,000 to produce, covering editing, design, formatting, and printing — and I haven’t been able to recover those costs. As much as I want to keep writing and sharing stories, I simply can’t do it alone this time.

That’s why I’m asking for your support.

Your contributions will go directly towards:

Professional editing

Cover design

Interior formatting

Printing and distribution

As a thank you, anyone who pledges £7 or more will receive a signed copy of Trying Again once it’s published. (And I will endeavour to thank you in the book also).

If you believe in supporting independent authors, or if these kinds of stories resonate with you, your help would mean a great deal — not just financially, but personally.

And if you’re not able to donate, sharing this page would still make a huge difference.

There's no pressure at all.

Thank you for reading, and for helping me continue telling stories that matter.

— Paul Wardle

If you are kind enough to donate over £7, please ensure you are okay with leaving contact details - thank you.