Writing Coach Client Goes to Amazon Number One!

We’re proud to announce that Af Marseh’s debut book Tumorous Hesticles achieved #1 Best Seller on its Amazon launch day.

After listening to a podcast in January 2020 featuring Jacqui, Af decided to contact The Writing Coach for some support with his self-help memoir that focuses on his own cancer journey. 

After their first meeting in the British Library, the pair continued to work online through the pandemic towards completing Af’s 66,000 word narrative non-fiction book: Tumorous Hesticles – Just Say Cancer. 

The Journey

Tumorous Hesticles begins with the vibrant backdrop of Brazil. Af discovers he has a tumour whilst working at the Rio 2016 Olympics. What comes next involves an emergency flight back to the UK, telling his parents the devastating news, surgery and 9 weeks of intense chemotherapy. Af explains candidly that sometimes cancer was the ‘easy’ part, compared to managing family relationships, friendships and wondering if he’d ever see his new Brazilian girlfriend ever again. 

Founder of The Writing Coach, Jacqui Lofthouse writes:

“Af’s memoir is entirely unique. Who would have thought a cancer memoir could be so funny – but at the same time so important? What’s different about this book is that Af’s voice is relatable to young men who may be going through this experience, as well as to their families. Af tells it like it is and this results in an unforgettable story that also informs the reader with the lightest touch.”

After a year of applying to agents and having some very near misses with top names, Af decided to self-publish his book with Amazon. Tumorous Hesticles was released on October 24th and went straight to #1 Best Seller in the cancer category, as well as #2 in Humour Doctors and Medicine, just behind Dawn French’s latest release. Af was given one more thing to cheer about when he noticed that his book was placed on the home screen of Amazon best sellers as #1 for Movers and Shakers (this is for the book which moves most quickly through the rankings in a 24 hour period). This on the same day Britney Spears released her book…

Af writes:

“My goal was to get on any best sellers list during the first month of release so to see Tumorous Hesticles at #1 on two lists and my name next to Dawn French on the other was totally surreal and made all the hard work seem worth it. It’s been a very long journey but we completed it and that’s what I’m most proud of. I couldn’t have done it without Jacquis coaching either, that’s for sure”

Tumorous Hesticles: Just Say Cancer is available now on Amazon and is continuing to get rave reviews. Af has fulfilled his aim of writing a book not just about the cancer experience itself, but also for everyone that is affected in the support network too. 

Af has since been invited to become an ambassador for the young person’s cancer charity, Trekstock as he continues to advocate for men going through their own journeys. 

To purchase Tumorous Hesticles click here.

You can follow Af on all social media platforms @AfMarseh