An Actor's Alphabet

An A to Z of Some Stuff I've Learnt and Some Stuff I'm Still Learning

Julie Hesmondhalgh author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Nick Hern Books

Published:17th Nov '22

Should be back in stock very soon

An Actor's Alphabet cover

In this candid and empowering A to Z of being an actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh draws on her decades of experience on stage and screen – including in massively popular television shows such as Broadchurch, Happy Valley and Coronation Street – to lift the lid on the realities of life in today's industry, and show you how to navigate it.

She shares practical advice on preparing for roles (don't be afraid of looking like a dick), managing the ups and downs of your career (and how to be out of work without losing your mind), dealing with failure (and success), not constantly comparing yourself to others (bloody hard, but try), looking after your mental health, and the power of knowing when to say 'no'.

Passionate about the arts, she makes a compelling case for their importance to society, but also calls out the industry on where it continues to fall short – including a clear-eyed assessment of what needs to change to make it safer and healthier, more accessible and inclusive.

Written with refreshing honesty and self-deprecating humour, An Actor's Alphabet is a book for anyone who dreams of becoming an actor, wants to be a better one, or just wants to learn what being one is really like.

'Endearingly honest, funny and eye-opening. I loved it!' Francesca Martinez

'Like its author, this book is brimming with wisdom, intelligence, empathy and humanity... An absolute must!' Maxine Peake

'This is the best book on acting and being an actor I've read… Julie Hesmondhalgh is the mentor/best friend/guide we all need in these troubled times' Paul Chahidi

'Wonderful… not just a book about acting, but also about life. Us. The world. Humanity. Battling through this shit and finding time for a hug. I adore it.' Russell T Davies

'A must-read, whether you've been on the artist's journey for years or are just starting out' Shobna Gulati

'This book is bold, brash, sincere and angry. It regrets nothing and questions everything… Treasure it like we should treasure Julie' Jack Thorne

'A generous gift to actors, full of honesty, hope and wit. There is loads of tangible advice, not just for acting but for life' Anna Jordan

'Julie's book is honest, challenging and helpful. A great read' Andy Nyman

'Brilliantly conversational and no-nonsense... very personal, focused on the things that mean something to her. She writes with passion; wise words that cover subjects from class to parenting, sex to tax... shows a huge generosity'

* Reviews Hub *

'Very interesting… has a warmth and humanity that isn't often found in training manuals or self-help books... will be extremely useful for anyone taking their first steps into this unstable industry and will raise plenty of smiles of recognition from more experienced members of the profession, but it will also give the general reader insight into the struggles of forging a long-term career in the performing arts'

* British Theatre Guide *

'Honest and revealing... Hesmondhalgh has risen imaginatively to the challenge of the A-Z format, and the result is interesting, informative and unusual... the sound advice she gives and the different topics she covers are very relevant to students considering a career in acting or other branches of the profession... She writes with honesty, humour and sincerity... a comprehensive and up-to-date toolkit for all those involved in and teaching within the profession'

* Word Matters (Journal of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Dram

ISBN: 9781839041211

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 15mm

Weight: unknown

208 pages