Vanessa Holburn

Vanessa Holburn is an author and journalist living in Berkshire in the UK.

Vanessa's latest book 'Secret Women: What We Hide and Why' is an anthology of women's stories from across the world. Within the book Vanessa speaks to Afghan rebels, members of secret societies, survivors of abuse, activists, professional secret keepers and those in illicit relationships about how and why they keep, or kept, part of their lives secret. The book asks if keeping secrets comes more naturally to women, or if issues of personal safety and societal stigma mean they have to be more discreet.

Her previous historical non-fiction title, 'The Profumo Affair', shows just how a hedonistic weekend at Lord Astor’s Buckinghamshire estate Cliveden in the hot and steamy July of 1961, set in motion a chain of events like no other in British political history. This book is a re-telling of one of the most scandalous periods of Conservative rule, and is updated with archival material only recently released. It also examines the event from a more modern perspective, and backs the campaign for a pardon for Christine Keeler.

Vanessa's fourth book, released in January 2023, 'Surviving the Holocaust and Stalin: The Amazing Story of the Seiler Family' is drawn from a cache of recently discovered and translated letters. This Jewish memoir goes beyond the Holocaust and asks what happened after Soviet 'liberation'.

Her third book 'How To Pick A Puppy' is an ethical guide to finding the forever dog for your lifestyle. It answers all the questions puppy buyers may have so they get the right dog, from the right place, at the right time. The book follows on from her work with the successful #LucysLaw campaign.

'How To Be An Activist' is Vanessa's second book and was informed by her part in the #LucysLaw campaign, which brought about a change in UK law. The title is a practical and inspirational guide to creating change. Readers will learn how to organise and manage a campaign for themselves.

Vanessa's first book, 'The Amritsar Massacre' is an accessible account of an atrocity that occurred in 1919 in British India. It discusses the need for an official apology and explains why such a debate is relevant today.

Vanessa's publishing experience stretches over 30 years and her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers and digital outlets. Her consumer press credits include The Express, The Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, Private Eye, The Sun, The Independent on Sunday, Fabulous, Vegan Living, Woman's Own, Yours, Bella, Dogs Today, Wunderdog and Ask The Doctor.