Meet Jessica Mudditt
Jessica Mudditt is the founder of Hembury Books, a hybrid publishing company that has upended the traditional publishing model. Hembury Books is on a mission to delight authors of all genres: it operates on the basis that the author knows best. This is quite a departure from a traditional publishing arrangement, whereby the author may be consulted, but is typically not in control of the creative process.
Jessica is the author of Our Home in Myanmar and Once Around the Sun, which she self-published in 2021 and 2024. Jessica learned a lot about self-publishing and is passionate about helping other authors to share their stories with the world. Her goal is to blend the best components of self-publishing with the expertise of a traditional publishing house.
As a former journalist with over 15 years of experience, Jessica has contributed to major international media outlets, including Forbes, BBC, Company Director and CNN. She was accredited as a newspaper journalist in London and later spent seven years reporting in Myanmar and Bangladesh. She returned to Australia after a decade abroad in 2016. She has two daughters, aged six and four, and lives in Sydney.
Early Beginnings: A Passion for Storytelling
Jessica’s love for storytelling began in her early years. Growing up in Melbourne, she was fascinated by books, journalism, and photography. She studied Arts/Law but dreamed of doing something more creative.
Without any clear direction for the future, Jessica spent her twenties travelling. First with a yearlong journey from Cambodia to Pakistan, before spending three years in London. After being accredited as a journalist by the National Council for the Training of Journalists in the UK, she spent seven years reporting from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Immersing herself in diverse cultures and political landscapes, Jessica gained a deep understanding of storytelling as a tool for documentation, impact, and change.
When she returned to Australia, she continued her work as a freelance journalist. Her articles were featured in Forbes, BBC, CNN, and Company Director Magazine, among others.
“I was always the one asking questions, but this time I was answering them instead.”
This philosophy shaped her career, driving her to tell stories that matter.
The Journalist’s Path: From the Newsroom to the World Stage
Jessica’s journalistic career was defined by bold choices and a high risk appetite. Her experiences as a foreign correspondent took her to Bangladesh and then Myanmar, where she documented the country’s transition from military rule to democracy. This journey became the foundation of her critically acclaimed memoir, Our Home in Myanmar, which provides an insider’s perspective on an extraordinary period of history.
Her time as a journalist was filled with moments of risk, discovery, and resilience. Covering political shifts, cultural transformations, and personal tragedies, Jessica built a reputation for capturing the essence of a story with authenticity and depth.
However, as her career progressed, Jessica felt a pull toward a new kind of storytelling—one that allowed authors to share their voices on their own terms. This realization led her to a bold career pivot: the world of hybrid publishing.
Pioneering Hybrid Publishing: Founding Hembury Books
After 15 years in journalism, Jessica took a bold step into the world of publishing, founding Hembury Books, a hybrid publishing company dedicated to empowering authors. She recognized that many aspiring writers struggled with the overwhelming process of writing, editing, and publishing their work.
With Hembury Books, she created a business model that offers book coaching, editing, marketing, and self-publishing services—ensuring that authors retain 100% of their royalties, intellectual property, and creative control.
Hembury Books started out in October 2023 as a nonfiction publisher, and after a year it expanded to publish fiction titles as well. Jessica’s mission is simple yet powerful: to demystify publishing and help authors succeed on their own terms. She understands the difficulties of writing and publishing a book, saying:
“Writing a book is a huge challenge—especially as you begin, and it feels overwhelming.”
Through Hembury Books, Jessica provides structured support and expert guidance, ensuring that every author receives the resources they need to bring their story to life. Discover more here.
An Accomplished Author: Turning Personal Journeys into Books
Beyond her work as a publisher, Jessica has built a strong reputation as a memoirist. Her books, including Our Home in Myanmar and Once Around the Sun, showcase her talent for blending personal storytelling with deep cultural and historical insights. Her first book, Our Home in Myanmar, was both a personal and professional turning point. It was her chance to tell a story on her own terms, free from editorial constraints, and to document an experience that had shaped her deeply. The success of the book reinforced her belief in the power of long-form storytelling.
Her latest book, Once Around the Sun is a deeply personal and adventurous account of her year-long backpacking journey across Southeast Asia. It was a transformative experience that shaped her worldview. The book has resonated with readers, capturing the adventure, uncertainty, and thrill of exploring the world. Her work has been recognized by esteemed figures in the travel and publishing industry, including Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler. He praised Once Around the Sun in the following terms:
“Jessica Mudditt’s love letter to backpacking… has every classic backpacker experience.”
The Hembury Books Podcast: Sharing Industry Insights
Jessica launched the Hembury Books Podcast at the start of 2024 to feature interviews with authors, industry experts, and publishing professionals. The podcast serves as a resource for aspiring writers, providing insights into the publishing landscape and strategies for success.
Episodes have featured discussions on how to sell 100,000 books, writing bestselling memoirs about family members, and navigating the self-publishing journey. Jessica’s ability to connect with authors and industry leaders has made the podcast a go-to platform for those navigating the self-publishing world. The Hembury Books Podcast has almost 5000 YouTube subscribers and it has been accepted into the platform’s exclusive partner program. Explore more here.
“Starting my own business allowed me to have independence and the control I wanted in my work with my clients.”
Her impact extends beyond publishing; she is a mentor, an advocate for writers, and a champion for independent voices in an industry that often favors the few. She jokingly wears a ‘Vanity Publisher’ t-shirt as a way of questioning outdated prejudices about self-publishing. She does not believe that rejecting thousands of manuscripts every year is the best way to nurture literary talent, and she acknowledges that picking the next bestseller is mostly a fluke.
A Recognized Leader in Publishing and Literature
Jessica’s contributions to publishing have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was nominated for the Women Changing the World Awards, a recognition of her impact on literature and independent publishing. Reflecting on this honor, she shared:
“Being nominated for the Women Changing the World Awards is an incredible honor, but what matters most is the work we do every day to help authors succeed.”
Her passion for empowering writers, combined with her expertise in journalism, memoir writing, and book coaching, has established Jessica as a pioneer in hybrid publishing.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Hembury Books
Her upcoming projects include:
- Expanding Hembury Books to support more authors worldwide.
- Growing the Hembury Books Podcast into a top publishing resource.
- Writing new books that continue to explore personal and cultural narratives.
As Hembury Books continues to grow, Jessica remains committed to helping authors navigate their publishing journey. Whether through coaching, editing, or self-publishing services, she ensures that every writer has the support, knowledge, and confidence to bring their book to life.
For those seeking to tell their story, Jessica offers an open invitation: “Would you like to see your book added to our collection? Let’s make it happen!”
Editorial Note
Whether through her own books, her publishing company, or her podcast, Jessica Mudditt remains dedicated to helping others find their voice and share their narratives with the world.
Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a deep love for the written word. For aspiring authors looking to navigate the publishing world, Jessica’s journey serves as both a blueprint and an inspiration.
Are you ready to publish your book? Reach out to Hembury Books today and take the first step toward bringing your book to life.
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