Last night, I had the pleasure of attending an event co-hosted by Huddersfield Literature Festival and Reach bookshop at the atmospheric Brooks Mill in Armitage Bridge. The guest speaker? None other than Philippa Gregory, renowned historical author of both fiction and non-fiction.

Gregory has spent the past ten years researching for her latest book, Normal Women, which shines a light on everyday women throughout history—spanning 900 years from 1066 onwards. It’s a fascinating project that challenges traditional narratives, but what struck me most was not just the book itself, but the multi-channel approach Gregory has taken to share these stories.

A Masterclass in Multi-Platform Storytelling

Authors are natural storytellers, but Gregory has taken this further, ensuring her work reaches different audiences in ways that suit them best. Alongside the main book, she has:

• Created a podcast to discuss themes and discoveries
• Produced an adult edition, a teen/young adult version, and soon, individual books for younger readers
• Engaged in a book tour and school talks, including one earlier in the day at Greenhead College for local students

This is marketing in action—thoughtful, layered, and audience-focused. It’s a fantastic example of how content can be adapted to engage different demographics while maintaining a consistent core message.

What Can Businesses Learn from This?

Just like Gregory has tailored her message to different audiences, businesses can do the same with their marketing. Here are three key takeaways:

1. Repurpose Your Content – If you’ve written a blog, can it be turned into a short video? A podcast? A LinkedIn article? One idea can take many forms.
2. Know Your Audience – Gregory knows that history appeals to different age groups in different ways, so she’s adapted accordingly. Are you doing the same with your marketing?
3. Think Beyond One Platform – Marketing isn’t just about one channel. Gregory’s mix of print, digital, and in-person engagement creates a full experience for her audience.

Final Thoughts

Attending events like this is always inspiring, not just for the stories shared but for the marketing lessons hidden within them. Whether you're an author, a business owner, or a marketer, there’s always something to learn from how ideas are communicated and shared.

Who knew a history book could provide such a modern marketing masterclass? And as an extra twist—Gregory has even hinted at a potential future musical adaptation of Normal Women, with ideas already forming for an opening number!

A perfect example of how storytelling can continue evolving across different creative mediums.