How to make a career out of reading …
… and get away with it?! Here, Amy has attempted to explain a little more about who she is, her professional background, and the kind of work she loves to be involved with – but if there’s anything you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Hi – I’m Amy (she/her), and Sunny Side Up is my catch-all brand for everything that encompasses my freelance life.
I live in Bristol, UK, with my partner and two whirlwind daughters, and I’m the owner of Sunny Side Up (a digital specialist studio that supports small businesses and creative individuals alike), I’m a bookseller, and I’m a book club host.
To paraphrase Ken from the excellent 2023 Barbie film: my job is Books.
I love nothing more than talking to people about what they’re reading – and talking about the books that have been living in my own brain rent-free. Somehow, I’ve managed to turn this hobby into a multi-hyphen freelance career.
"Amy has always listened carefully to what we are looking for and answers any questions we have, we feel very lucky to have found her and would recommend her without hesitation."
— Maisie Paradise Shearring and Ness Wood, Founders, Orange Beak Studio
Sunny Side Up since 2019
I wish there were a profound reason behind the name, but honestly? It came from my love of fried egg sweets. Since 2019, Sunny Side Up Amy has been my moniker, and I’m genuinely proud of how far my freelance business has come.
I’ve worked across digital marketing and publishing since 2012 – from magazine publishers and digital agencies to teaching on the Digital Marketing Bootcamp at Bath Spa University. My experience is broad and deep, and I bring it all together to support brilliant creative people in getting their work out into the world.
Nothing makes me happier than being a trusted hand to hold for authors, illustrators, and other creatives who are fantastic at what they do – but just need a little help reaching their audience.
Reading books, books, and more books …
I started a book club because, frankly, I wanted to go to one! When the perfect opportunity came up with The Curious Play Café in Hanham in 2024, I jumped at it – and haven’t looked back since.
Choosing each month’s book can be a challenge (finding the right balance between enjoyment and discussion potential is no small feat), but it’s easily my favourite evening of the month. We’ve built a lovely community of regular readers and are always excited to welcome new faces – we’re now based at Be Weird, Be Wild, Be Wonderful in East Bristol!
Selling books, books, and more books …
I began bookselling at Max Minerva’s in October 2024, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. On paper, Sunny Side Up was thriving – a full client list, a healthy income, flexible working around my family – but the reality was that I was working alone 98% of the time. Some days, the only in-person conversations I had were with my partner and kids.
So, I flung some CVs into the ether of indie bookshops across the Southwest, and landed a flexible, joyful role at Max Mins. Bookselling is everything I hoped it would be – from recommending reads to customers (the absolute best feeling when they buy your suggestions, then come back to tell you how much they loved it!), to hosting author events, and facilitating school visits for authors and illustrators. It’s a varied job, and one I love so much!
Persisting against the little voice in my head that was telling me that getting a part-time job means I’d no longer be a real freelancer, or that I’d somehow “failed” in running my own business, was absolutely the right shout. Now, I get to chat with real humans about books in real life, and see the book marketing funnel from every angle. It’s a dream combo, and I feel incredibly lucky to have the best of both worlds in my work life.
This varied, fulfilling career blend works beautifully for my ADHD-leaning brain, and I feel so lucky to collaborate with creatives of all kinds – from authors and illustrators to comedians, photographers, designers, play cafés, clothing brands, nail bars, and beyond.
If you’d like to chat about working together, I’d love to hear from you.