Kate Purcell

For over a decade, Kate Purcell has worked in the community as a peer worker, mental health advocate, group facilitator and alcohol and drug counsellor. She has worked at a variety of organisations in Western Australia, including RUAH community services, NEAMI National and the Mental Health Advocacy Service.

As a teenager, Kate spent two years in institutionalised care to treat anorexia. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at the age of 26.

Kate encapsulates hope, and she has a passion for sharing her experiences to not only provide hope to others, but also reduce mental health stigma in society. She enjoys public speaking and writing, using both as a means to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.

She lives in Perth with her partner Leon, and their fur-baby cat, Pan. Hope Inc. is her first book.

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Hope Inc.

by Kate Purcell

“Life sucks. I’m so depressed. I’m treating my parents like shit for no particular reason. I feel horrible and worthless. Even though I want to be happy and get on with my family, I can’t be, because I don’t deserve to be happy. I only deserve to be miserable.”
—Diary entry from March 2000

Growing up, Kate Purcell lived in the shadow of her twin brother. He was outgoing, confident and charismatic, while she was withdrawn and shy. The bullying at school was excruciating.

Kate was just 14 when she developed anorexia. She became obsessed with reducing calories and at one stage, Kate worried that using toothpaste would make her gain weight. She grew thinner and thinner until one day the scales read just 29 kilograms. Her parents were stricken with worry and she was hospitalised 10 times, including seven months at Hollywood Clinic in Perth.

In time, she overcame the most severe aspects of anorexia, but life took a new turn when she began to attend rave parties and taking recreational drugs. Social anxiety and depression followed. A psychotic episode occurred at the age of 24. Kate hit rock bottom.

At the age of 26, Kate was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. She was required to take medication that caused weight gain as a side effect. Kate found herself on the precipice of having an eating disorder again. Kate’s journey is ultimately ongoing, yet her story is filled with inspiration and resilience.

With the right treatment, tools and support, absolutely anything is possible.

Welcome to Hope Inc.

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katepurcell.com

Tell Your Eating Disorder to F**k Off

by Kate Purcell

…I want the rest of my life to be the best of my life, and I am determined to not have an ED be a part of that. This is what we all deserve.

Tell Your Eating Disorder to F**k Off is a self-help book for eating disorders from someone who lives with one. Kate Purcell has spent much of her life in the grips of anorexia nervosa.

Now healthy and happy, she is here to tell you how to separate who you are from your Disorder.

In these pages are the tools to start building a life that you are in love with. A life full of hope and inspiration and without the looming shadow of an eating disorder. Here, in these pages, is your ED’s kryptonite.

With empathy and encouragement, Kate leads you to a place where you can confidently stand up and fight. To begin the earth-shattering battle between yourself and your struggles with food, weight and negative self-perception.

It’s time to join the path towards healing. Allow this book to be the light at the end of the tunnel and a powerful declaration to your eating disorder to f**k right off. Your life awaits. Let’s do this.

Hembury Books is a hybrid publisher in Sydney. We strive to delight authors of all genres. Retain your rights and royalties with Hembury Books.

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Latest Reviews

Jess filed freelance articles for me when I was an editor at Forbes Australia and when I moved to Company Director magazine, I discovered she was already entrenched as a writer and I was very happy to continue our successful relationship. Jess is the ultimate professional. She is incredibly dedicated to crafting the best story for the commission. She listens, asks questions and is a fabulous communicator, enthusiastic in her work, timely in her filing, and has excellent attention to detail. I highly recommend Jess.

Managing Editor at Company Director Magazine Highly recommend working with Jessica Mudditt! I have collaborated on dozens of occasions with CFO Magazine A/NZ from one-on-one interviews with Australia’s top CFOs and business leaders, to ‘multi-voice’ independent articles, through to live webinar write ups – Jessica is always the ultimate professional and entrust both my personal and professional brand and reputation with her. On time, on budget, clear communications and an absolute pleasure to work with.

“As she is a seasoned journalist who has worked all around the world and an author of two published books, I turned to Jessica for a coaching session on a writing project when I was looking for someone. Her advice was practical, do-able and to the point. In addition, her price was reasonable. I would seek out Jess’s help again and also recommend her any time to any one.”

“Working with Hembury Books has been a delight. Jess Mudditt works hard at her craft whilst providing much encouragement and creative support.”

“I don’t know how to thank you for your skill and knowledge, as well as your incredible patience with me. I know I am hopeless with computer technology and you have been remarkable. Publishing my book has been a great learning experience; the sort one doesn’t expect at my age. Thank you for all you have done. You are a pretty remarkable woman. Congratulations on becoming who you are.”

I found Jess just ahead of releasing my first book into the world and I am so glad I did, as she became a great support for me to lean on. I can’t imagine my journey without her now. She made the whole experience that much sunnier. Any author who gets to work with Jess is blessed and has a true friend on their side. I ended up booking Jess to host my book launch event too, and again, I couldn’t recommend her highly enough. A beautiful soul, passionate about nonfiction storytelling, and a great source of wisdom when it comes to all things self-publishing.