'Working On The Inside' Influenced New Book By Northbrook Writer

NORTHBROOK, IL — Whether writing books for young children, young adults, or adult readers, local author Geoffrey Charlton-Perrin says the process is really not much different.

"A writer has days when his story races along, and he's enjoying every second of what he's doing; as well as other days when he can't think where his story is going, and he feels like giving up and becoming a bus driver," Charlton-Perrin, of Northbrook, tells Patch. "So I can't say there is a discernible difference from one book to another. The only thing that changes – in my case, at least, because I don’t write for the same audiences every time — is deciding how your audiences differ...So what will interest them, make them laugh or make them cry is my major concern. And that can change tremendously."

Charlton-Perrin, who was born in England, recently penned his third book, "Travels Of An Adman," based in part on his many years of experience in the advertising world. He has worked in advertising agencies in London, New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Chicago.

"It [my career] influenced the story a great deal. When you work 'on the inside' as it were, you know the ups and downs of creating advertising — impossible deadlines; clients who don't like what you have labored over for weeks; or who don't realize how difficult it can be to create an effective ad campaign; or insist on including a sales point that can't be claimed legally," Charlton-Perrin said.

The author shared with Patch the following synopsis of "Travels of an Adman":

Set in the 1960s, Travels of an Advertising Man follows the adventures of Malcolm Harwood as he graduates from Birmingham University in the UK. His twin journeys intertwine; he makes a slow but determined pilgrimage to enter the world of advertising as he also pursues Gwyneth, a student nurse. At first, he finds it difficult to find any kind of job and settles for one in computers. But his heart is set on advertising, as well as on winning the beautiful Gwyneth. The latter quest eludes him, however – largely through his own missteps and indiscretions. When he finally succeeds in getting into advertising in London, his talent emerges; and ultimately, it earns him the offer of a dream job at a major Chicago advertising agency. But while he finds solace in several romantic dalliances along the way, success with the woman he truly loves continues to stay firmly out of reach. Will advertising be his only triumph while Gwyneth remains lost forever?

"For the adman (or woman) it can be a knife-edged life," Charlton-Perrin said. "No matter how talented you are, you are only as good as your last campaign. But on the other hand, there is jubilation when you have crafted a successful advertising campaign; when the client's business blossoms; when you as the creator win awards – rather like the Oscars."

Charlton-Perrin said writing the book took about seven months. During that time, he was working with a French printing house that wanted to publish a French version of "Little Lord Blink and His Ice Cream Castle," a children's story Charlton-Perrin wrote several years ago. He is also the author of a young adult novel, "2121: The Battle for Survival Begin."

"Travels of an Adman" has been released on Amazon in paperback and eBook formats.