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I hate Cinderella is the debut novel of award-winning photographer Amanda Cole. Based on a dream she had on a plane shortly after a relationship break up, it’s an inspirational fairytale for grown ups.

With plenty of empathy and imagination I hate Cinderella is for anyone who has ever had a broken heart, cried for days and been unable to eat, sleep or concentrate.

This month we went behind the scenes with Amanda Cole to find out more about her new book:

B&L: What is your book “I Hate Cinderella” all about?

Amanda: I Hate Cinderella is an inspirational fairytale for grown ups about giving hope back to people who can’t find their own stores of it. It’s also a book about abundance, relationships and learning to live your dreams.

Lucy, the main character is a woman who has been through heartache and then a plane crash that resulted in her landing in the ocean and being rescued by a mermaid.

Together they go through the stages of grief together and Lucy learns to see the relationship for what it really was and sees herself and her world with positive eyes with the help of her new friend. It’s about the loss of dreams and the growth of new hope. It has little life lessons throughout, with short chapters and the cutest illustrations.

B&L: What kind of woman would your book most appeal to?

Amanda: Anyone (not just women) who has ever experienced a relationship break down and heartache… and also anyone who just needs to top up their reserves of hope and love.

B&L: Have you had your heart broken?

Amanda: Yes I have and I have learned a lot! I Hate Cinderella was written to share with my girlfriends and guy friends as well to let them know that they are never alone going through a breakup; that hearts do mend and also to give them a little buoy to hold onto when they ached.

B&L: What do you love most about being a photographer?

Amanda: I think it’s being invited to take part in the most amazing, intimate and special moments of people’s lives; to share that moment with the bride and her bridesmaids when she is getting ready for her day, or see a family together is like nothing else.

I get invited to capture beauty and happiness on camera and it always makes me walk away thinking how wonderful people are.

B&L: Was it difficult writing compared to being behind a camera?

Amanda: Writing has always been a passion and so was something that flowed quite naturally. I wrote I Hate Cinderella on the bus, freehand in a notebook on the way to work over several days. I absolutely loved the feeling of pouring my thoughts out.  

Writing made me realise I was now fulfilling my purpose in life - that this story should be shared and not just kept in a notebook!

B&L: How are you spending the holidays?

Amanda: I’m heading down the coast for some much needed relaxation by the ocean, and putting the final touches to the second book. I’m also hoping to get lots of swimming and surfing in!!

B&L: Tell us about your summer fashion style?

Amanda: Boho chic with tousled hair and a touch of glam.  I’m in love with my Links of London bracelet, Prada handbag, easy summer maxi dresses and Havaianas thongs, of course!

B&L: Will you be writing any more books?

Amanda: Yes definitely! This is just the start.  I have almost finished book two - which has a working title of “Time Means Nothing” and is set in Bondi. It follows a similar thread of hope and love throughout time. Jovan is again lined up to work with me on this project in terms of the illustrations because I love his work so much!  I’m also working on two more books!  

B&L: What 3 beauty products would we find in your handbag?

Amanda: YSL golden gloss (with tiny gold micro beads that really sparkle on your lips!), my favourite tinted moisturiser (by Clinique) and Strawberry oil from the body shop.

B&L: We love the images used in the book, what made you decide on Jovan De Melo as the illustrator?

Amanda: To work with Jovan was one of the easiest decisions of the whole project! I found his work on our joint online art community- www.Redbubble.com and asked to see his portfolio and as soon as I did, I was TOTALLY in love with his work and knew it fitted perfectly with the emotion I wanted to share. Even though he lives in Brazil, we spoke and Skyped every day and he made it such a pleasurable process.

B&L: What’s the silliest thing you have done recently?

Amanda: Goofing around with Bianca Dye underneath giant fake fairy toadstools for a photoshoot at my book launch was pretty funny!

B&L: What does being a woman mean to you?

Amanda: To be woman to me means that I can be independent, happy, caring and love life, also that I share an incredible bond with other women over the amazing adventure that this life holds. It is being a sister, a daughter, a friend, a lover and also a confidante….

It also means I can wear pink, have girly drinks, eat choc chip ice-cream, use the word “fabulous”, paint my nails and own far too many bikinis! Woman= Sexy, flirty, glamorous, fun!