Spencer Honniball

Spencer Honniball – Ghostwriter

I am a published author, ghostwriter and screenwriter with over ten years' experience of collaborating with clients

Overview

My first book, Beg, Steal or Borrow, the authorised biography of Peter Doherty’s band, Babyshambles, was published to largely positive reviews: 3/5 in Q; 4/5 in Zoo; 4/5 in Mojo – “Like all good horror stories, this is gripping stuff.”; The Guardian, meanwhile, wrote that the book offered “plenty of authentic insights,” while The Evening Standard named it among its best rock books of the year. In addition, the book earned glowing reviews in The Sun and Scottish Sun, and The Scotsman rated it among the “pick of this year’s rock books.”

Since then, I have largely focussed on ghostwriting and screenwriting. I spent two years in development with Focus Films, was shortlisted for the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum, and was a finalist in the C21 Media Drama Series Competition, where I was mentored by Line of Duty creator/writer, Jed Mercurio. I contributed to the book How to succeed as a Freelancer in Publishing: The Complete Guide, by Emma Murray and Charlie Wilson, and was one of 150 writers selected for the Penguin Random House Write Now initiative. I recently ghostwrote a book about a survivor of child abuse, which has been acquired by a major publisher, though unfortunately cannot divulge any more details at this stage, as I am not permitted to do so legally.

Prior to becoming a self-employed writer, I gained valuable experience in media monitoring while with Durrants, heading a team that wrote business stories for the Reuters website. In addition, I wrote and edited summaries taken from source material in national, international and regional press, and internet publications. During my time with Durrants, I wrote for a huge variety of clients, including governmental institutions and numerous globally renowned firms at the cutting edge of the business world, with expertise in the aid, defence, science, pharmaceuticals, technology, telecommunications, travel, health, food and drink, sports, fashion, media, leisure and entertainment sectors.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment Health & Wellbeing Music Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sports & Outdoors True Crime
Languages
English (UK)
Certifications
  • Complete Writer Certificate The Writing College 2001-2002 Government-backed correspondence course to enhance one’s use of language and associated literary skills. BA Hons English and Literary Studies (Major); History (Minor) Middlesex University 1996-1999 2:1: Upper Second Class Honours First Year level accreditation in IT and Language and Communication Skills. Access to Higher Education Certificate The City Lit Institute 1995-1996 Nationally recognised access certificate, equivalent to A Level standard, in Literature, Sociology, History, Mathematics, Study Skills and Creative Writing.

Work experience

Durrants Press Cuttings

Nov, 1999 — Apr, 2008 (over 8 years)

For the last three years or so of my time at Durrants, I headed a team that wrote business stories for the Reuters website; in addition, I wrote and edited summaries taken from source material in national, international and regional press, and internet publications. Included among my other responsibilities were: the training of new staff, giving guidance on how to proficiently structure summaries and slant articles to a particular customer’s requirements; on-screen clipping of articles; and scanning of newspapers and internet reading as required.

I was also part of a team which oversaw the implementation of two major IT infrastructure overhauls to cater for a greatly increased client base, including governmental institutions and numerous globally renowned firms at the cutting edge of the business world, with expertise in the aid, defence, science, pharmaceuticals, technology, telecommunications, travel, health, food and drink, sports, fashion, media, leisure and entertainment sectors; and helped execute the various operations that smoothed the merger with Xtreme Information Services Limited in 2005.

Portfolio

Charting the wayward tale of the UK's most notorious group and written with full co-operation of the band this is the ultimate rock and roll story and is destined to become a classic of the genre. From rehab in a Thai monastery to riots at the Astoria, the tab... read more

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