Writer, astronaut, skinny…
… Catherine Ryan Howard wouldn’t mind being any of those things.
CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD is a 30-year old writer, blogger and coffee enthusiast from Cork.
Catherine self-published her first book, a travel memoir called Mousetrapped: A Year and A Bit in Orlando, Florida, in March 2010 after failing to find a publisher for her tales of Space Shuttle launches, humidity-challenged hair, Bruce Willis, the Ebola virus and being an Irish girl working in Walt Disney World. Starting from scratch and using only social media to promote the book, Catherine has managed to shift over 12,000 copies of Mousetrapped to date, and has gone on to release two other full-length books, Backpacked: A Reluctant Trip Across Central America and Self-Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self-Publishing (the second edition of which came out in September 2012). Her next self-published book, Travelled: 10 Tales About Not Staying At Home, will be released in three installments in 2013. The first one is out now.
See a full list of Catherine’s books and find out more about them on her Books page.
Her success story has been featured in the Irish Independent, the Sunday Times (Ireland) and The Irish Examiner newspapers, among others, and Catherine has giggled her way through interviews about it on Newstalk, 2FM, BBC Radio Ulster and The Marian Finucane Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
She was also chosen to deliver Faber Academy’s first ever self-publishing course at Faber & Faber, London, in February 2012. Visit the Faber Academy website for information on her next course.
In 2012, Catherine appeared at events such as the National Union of Journalists’ (Ireland) Freelance Forum, Women in Journalism’s (UK) Write a Bestseller Seminar, Irish PEN’s self-publishing debate and the Mountains to Sea Literary Festival in Dun Laoghaire, Co.Dublin, as well as facilitating workshops for Inkwell Writers and Faber Academy. Her 2013 events so far have included the Waterford Writers’ Weekend and ChipLitFest, as well as workshops in London and Dublin.
Please see her News page for more info.
Before writing full-time, Catherine worked as an administrator in the Netherlands, a campsite courier in France and a front desk agent in a Walt Disney World hotel in Orlando, Florida. You’ll currently find her watching way too much TV, spending way too much on Nespresso capsules and working on a novel which she hopes someone else will publish. She also has an unnatural fondness for Oreo Caksters and wants to be a NASA astronaut when she grows up.
If you’re thinking, What the fudge is all this? I’m only here for the self-publishing stuff!, then go here for all of Catherine’s “self-printing” category blog posts.
PRAISE FOR MOUSETRAPPED:
“A unique book by a brilliantly witty, instantly loveable author… I couldn’t put it down.” –Trashionista.com, Top 10 Reads of 2010
“[Catherine] writes with wit and humor about her time in Orlando. Thoroughly enjoyable and a great read!” –Talli Roland, author of The Hating Game
“[A] unique story that proves that dreams really do come true.” –WanderlustandLipstick.com
PRAISE FOR BACKPACKED:
“[The] self-deprecating tone is genuine and grounded in sanity, which makes the voice a thoroughly likeable one.” –Susan Griffith, author of Work Your Way Around the World
“I read and loved Mousetrapped [and] I wasn’t disappointed [with Backpacked] — Catherine takes the same dry wit and self-deprecating humour along for the ride. Highly recommended.” –Marsha Moore, author of 24 Hours: Paris and 24 Hours: London
“[Catherine has] injected such humour into this book that I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions … I felt as if I was part of Catherine’s journey. She writes about the places she visited … with so much passion that I’m tempted to hop on the next flight to Guatemala. Backpacked is brilliant, I thoroughly enjoyed it.” –ChickLitNewsandReviews.com
PRAISE FOR SELF-PRINTED:
“Self-Printed is my self-publishing bible. It taught me how to format, create and upload my e-books and print-on-demand paperbacks. It showed me practical things such as how to build a website/blog and how to promote my books. More importantly, it taught me how to compete with the professionals – just look at the results! Jam-packed full of hints and tips all in one place, I’m always referring back to it. In a word, it’s priceless.” — Mel Sherratt, author of Taunting the Dead, Top 10 Amazon UK KDP Bestseller of 2012
“An exceptional breath of realism, real knowledge and hard experience – don’t dream of self-publishing your book without it. This is the self-publishing guide to read if you actually care about the quality of your writing and your readers.” –-Nicola Morgan, award-winning author of 90 books—including the Carnegie-nominated Wasted and Write to be Published— and the blog Help! I Need a Publisher!
“The best thing about Catherine is that she not only lives the dream, but offers you a stepladder up to join her. The advice she gives is utterly practical—because she’s done what she describes—and the whole is suffused with humour. I am a fan.” –-Alison Baverstock, author of Is There a Book in You…? and senior lecturer on the Publishing MA at Kingston University (UK)
“The BEST book on self-publishing … Seriously, GET THIS NOW!” — David Wright, co-author of the Yesterday’s Gone series
Follow Catherine on Twitter @cathryanhoward
It is so pretty here, great job with the reorganisation!
Catherine, Your blogs on self publishing and setting up a blog with wordpress were invaluable to me. Thank you. You write with clarity and wit – fun to read. I’d had two books traditionally published, and recently decided with the third to go the self publishing route. Loved it and it’s selling very well – as it accompanies a workshop! … Your help and on-line encouragement through the process made it do-able. At one point I thought I remembered you stating that you do e-conversions. Was I imagining this or is this something you do as a side business? If so, please let me know. Thanks again. Keep up the great writing. Jeanie
jeaniesjourneys.com
whilst red is more my colour of choice, i’m loving your pink site! i have self-printed (did I get that right?!?) a couple of health and diet books and am about to venture into the eBook thing – it’s a minefield! thanks so much for all your straightforward and down-to-earth advice AND thanks for the link to Lets Get Digital by David Gaughran, another sane voice in the self-printing world. you have a really engaging style of writing – i’m sure like me you never get to bed before 2am but keep it up!
Nice looking blog. Best of luck to you!
Just found your blog and the articles here at a quick glance appear to be just the inspiration I’ve been looking for. Will definitely be taking a closer read over the coming days.
Just logged out and I see your blog is on the Freshly Pressed page
Congratulations 
Hi Catherine,
Great stuff – answered quite a few questions we were thinkging too about self-printing. Congrats on the “Freshly Pressed” coup, well deserved.
Congratulations on hitting the “Freshly Pressed” page! It made me curious, I read, I loved, I am following. Thanks for your fine, clear voice amidst the muddle out there. Continued success in all you do! Cheers!
Love your blog! I too am a Catherine with 1. A passion for great coffee (Guatemala Antigua) and 2. Humidity-challenged hair. I am also a writer (newspaper features not books.) thanks for the inspiration.
I love Guatemala-Antigua coffee too! (Except when I was there, the coffee wasn’t great. Apparently it’s because they export all the good stuff to us!) Big into Kenyan at the moment though.
Hi Catherine (chalk up another follower to being “freshly pressed”…and having a cute pic…U not me… LOL). You have offered excellent advice here and in your guest blogs. I recently self published and even after doing “all the research” I still did a few things that I would do differently…and will on book two. I would add only one more bit of advice to “would-be” published authors. Write because you have a passion to write. Publish because you want to share your story with the world. Don’t write a book – tell a story. If somewhere in between that and the marketing you can make a living, well that’s good too
My ears pricked up when I read the ‘ah, go on’ in your comment line and now I know that was on the right lines! Hehe.
You practice what you preach —- cudos!
Why can’t I follow you? I enter my email and click “My inbox is lonely”. I get a message saying i must enter a valid email. I DID. But then I tried my other email – same result. I tried another one of your pages. Same non – thing.
Superb job! I’ve combed WordPress for a couple months, and yet to find a engaging blog such as yours. Bravo! Not only do you write about substance, your personality really shines through. If you don’t mind, I’m taking notes. Te-he!
I’ll definitely be back for more. ~Josh
I’m very happy and thankful that you were freshly pressed (congrats again!) I downloaded Backpacked on Monday and finished last nice. Very well written, engaging, and as you can see I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to checking out your other works and seeing more posts from you.
Have a wonderful day!
Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed it. It’s my favourite book of mine, actually.
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award!
http://bitsnbooks.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/the-beautiful-blogger-award/
I’m sure you have alerady been nominated for this kind of thing, but I didn’t want to leave you out of the list, so if it’s a duplicate, forgive me! I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Post is here, if you are interested. http://imeldaevans.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/id-like-to-thank-the-academy/
I’m new to your blog, but enjoy reading it a lot. I’ve nominated Catherine,Caffeinated for the One Lovely Blog award at http://procrastinationdiaries.wordpress.com/2012/05/26/first-blog-award-ever/ Have a great weekend~
I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. That’s why I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogging Award. http://www.30waysofwalking.wordpress.com Thanks for all of the great content.
A reference to caffeine in the blog title and a photo of a cool old typewriter in the banner: I’m sold.
I can’t wait to explore Catherine, Caffeinated in all its glory.
You’re it! You’ve been tagged with the Lucky 7 meme… Check it out…
http://byamandaleigh.com/2012/06/11/the-lucky-7-meme-and-a-little-bit-of-billow/
I’m looking forward to reading your past blog posts! My coworkers recommended that I keep a blog do develop my writing skills and I’m having so much fun getting inspiration. I saw books, pink, and coffee and hit the “follow” button.
Haha, your sub-header is funny. I’m sure “writer, astronaut, skinny” are not uncommon aspirations for a young-ish word nerd.
Hey! I just wanted to tell you that I absolutely love your blog and have nominated you for the Sunshine Award. You can see it here: http://booksteame.com/2012/07/04/and-three-awards-later/ =)
I have nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award! I’m sure you have been nominated in the past, but there is no reason to not be nominated again!
Check out my blog for rules: http://dearmsmigraine.com/2012/08/12/beautiful-blogger-award/
Hi Catherine. I just nominated your inspiring blog for the Beautiful Blogger Award (yes, a strange title, I know). Details here: http://jumpingfromcliffs.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/an-award-why-thank-you/
Cheers, JFC.
I like this. I like it a lot! Cheers!
Such a witty blog; it’s also refreshing to hear self-publishing success stories.
On a side note: visited Cork a few years ago (I live in Miami, FL)…such a beautiful place!!
Truly delighted I discovered you and your site. We have more than writing in common….Disney fanatic here and official applicant to NASA’s Journalist in Space program back in the day! LoL
Enjoying your blog, humor, and the fact you’re in wonderful Dublin!
Hello there! I just wanted to pop over and tell you I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award. I love your blog and writing style! Check it out:
http://thesirenstale.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/one-lovely-blog-aww-gosh/
Catherine, just finished Mousetrapped and downloaded Backpacked and More Mousetrapped. I grew up in Florida, journeying to WDW many, many times. Hate to show my age, but I was a snot nosed kid there its second day open. Your book made me laugh, which is embarrassing on a crowded train.I am looking forward to embarrassing myself reading your other books. If you’re ever in Colorado and you want someone old enough to be your, uhhh, youngish uncle to buy you coffee, drop me a line.
OMG! You are my role model! You ‘wow’ me!
I am loving your blog! It’s great to hear about some great, down to earth, successful self-published authors.
I totally loved reading your material! Are you really that crazy or do you just sound like it? If we could make a million$ with humour, you’d be the first one to do it! In the meantime, I love Ireland with a deep passion and have visited twice. More importantly, I love my new book, SILENT VICTIM, not because it isn’t funny, but because it is full of passion, and scares the living daylights out of my readers. What’s not to love? Police, kidnapping, kids, travel, romance, the inevitable bad guys get caught, and kids win! Hope you read it and also hope you come visit Canada because it is alot dryer here in Canada in the summer.
Linda Dionne
I just LOVE the style of your blog – and all the good things in it. I’ll certainly come back here.
Hi, Catherine. Read the bit on your contact page about e-mail stressing you out (it does me, too), so I’m just dropping you a note to say: I saw a link to one of your blog posts on The Twitter, clicked on it, and have spend the last 2-3 hours (for realz) reading your posts. You so graciously provided so much (free!) advice on self-publishing, things I was surprised to learn as well as things I’d already believed to be true, that I felt compelled to buy Self-Printed to learn more, more, more! Thanks so much for all the super-valuable info, lah-lah-love the humorous way you dispense it, and look forward to reading on.
Thank YOU! Happy New Year
Catherine – downloaded your Self Publishing book last week and couldn’t stop reading! Working on my own novel and your book is helping me to complete it! Your writing is fresh and informative! Something to aspire to! Now, I need to get the blogging down right! I have a site that I post movie reviews to that I started after the paper I was writing for dropped the column due to space restrictions! I have some followers, but not enough – so I am going back to your Blogging chapters to do some studying! Nice work!
I have a simple 1 page website for my book . Perhaps I need a blog page dedicaded to it also, as your’s does. Your site has sound advice. I have found it hard if not impossible to get a quality book review though. goodreads, major newspapers etc.
With the nature of my book I had to write under a pen name ,so that is a problem with social media aspects.
Hi Catherine, I nominated you for “The Very Inspiring Blogger Award”. Here: http://wp.me/p2YjS7-3Z Cheers!
I just entered the blogging world last week – its a scary and exciting place to be! I am SO glad I stumbled across your blog this morning. Its been the most helpful one I’ve found for a newbie like me and I plan to implement a lot of what I’ve learned from reading your posts. Looking forward to coming back for a longer visit!
I look forward to your Sunday post each week! Thank you for the information your entire blog supplies!
Love your blog! Thanks for sharing! I’m attempting to write a memoir myself so I will definitely find some inspiration here! Thanks!
Wow Catherine, have just discovered your site via twitter – brilliant. I love your style and humour – will definitely be back to visit – well done.
Oh, and I rather like pink but purple rules OK!
Mel
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award. You’re way beyond that, I know, but you truly DO inspire me. Save the Cat saved my novel =*)
Hi Catherine! I nominated you for an award. Please don’t feel obligated to accept. I just wanted to show my appreciation for all you do for aspiring writers and spread the word about your blog to my followers.
http://melissajanda.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/another-award-the-other-sunshine-award/
Hi Catherine,
I like your blog and nominated you for a Shine On Award on my blog at jemsbooks.wordpress.com. Congrats! Check it out.
Janice
Just a note to let you know I’ve nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award – no pressure to reciprocate of course. But if you would like to accept it, please find it at; http://teacher2mum.com/2013/05/08/belated-but-loyal-in-love/
Keep up the great posts!
Hi Catherine,
I just nominated you for an award, The Very Inspiring Blog Award. Check it out at my blog, jemsbooks.wordpress.com. Congrats!
Found your site via Scribophile. Inspiring and fun (& Irish).
Great to find another Irish blogger! And a successful Irish self-published author? This gives me hope…
Hola or wache ay, before | forget I decided to Nominate you for Liebster Blog Award, later taters
http://josskoostachin.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/sorry-about-that-i-know-i-am-a-little-late-liebster-blog-award/