Adele Parks: From Eating Tinned Food to Landing a £300,000 Book Deal at 30

Adele Parks MBE, an author known for her bestselling thrillers and romance novels, attributes her success and financial stability to the decision she made at the age of 30 to write her first novel. Now at the age of 54, Parks has earned millions from her books and embraces the feminist perspective of never feeling overpaid. She resides in Surrey with her husband and son.

Parks grew up in a household where prudence with money was valued. Her parents were debt-free and avoided purchasing items on credit cards. Her father worked as an engineer while her mother primarily stayed at home while Parks and her sister were young. Although they had enough money to meet their needs, they only indulged in outings and treats on special occasions like birthdays and Christmas. This upbringing normalized the idea of not having a vacation every year, especially in the Teesside area where she grew up.

During her early career in advertising, Parks struggled to make ends meet. With a salary of £8,000 per year, it was challenging to afford rent in London, even in the early 1990s. She resorted to taking extra toilet paper from the office, and there were times when she could only afford to eat canned food to prioritize rent payments. This period of financial strain lasted for about two years until she climbed the career ladder and started earning more.

Parks’ breakthrough in the writing industry came when she secured a two-book deal for her debut novel, “Playing Away,” at the age of 30. The deal was worth £150,000 per book, which was a significant sum at the time and equivalent to six years’ worth of salary. This opportunity allowed Parks to quit her day job in advertising and focus on writing. Since then, all of her books have become bestsellers, and she has written a total of 23 novels in the span of 23 years, earning a significant income from each of them.

One of the most financially rewarding years for Parks was in 2009 when she received a seven-figure sum for a four-book deal. This amount had a life-changing impact on her, but she approached it with caution, ensuring she did not squander or make impulsive decisions with the money. Parks decided to use the advance to buy a house in Guildford, Surrey, eventually demolishing it to build her dream home. The property has brought her happiness and financial security, with a substantial increase in its value.

Despite her financial success, Parks maintains a grounded perspective and does not feel overpaid. She acknowledges her fortunate position as the average salary for writers is significantly lower. However, she takes a feminist stance and believes she deserves her earnings, emphasizing that anyone has the right to financial success.

When it comes to spending money, Parks finds joy in purchasing rare or vintage books, particularly ones from her childhood. While this may be considered a luxury, she believes these indulgences are worth the cost. In terms of investments, Parks and her husband focus on green and ethical stocks, ensuring their money goes towards noble causes. She also donates to charities such as St Mungo’s, Shelter, Help the Aged, and Alzheimer’s charities, driven by her empathy for homelessness and elderly relatives.

Parks’ primary financial priority is to provide her husband, son, and herself with a stress-free and secure life. While she doesn’t need extravagant possessions, she values the ability to go out for meals without worrying about expenses and freely shop without scrutinizing price tags.

As of now, Adele Parks has released her latest psychological thriller, “Just Between Us.”

Reference

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Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
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