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March 2008
HOLLY DENHAM
Holly Denham is a receptionist at a London investment banking firm who got her start with the help of recruitment company director Bill Hutton-Surie and his wife Bonnie. You can read all her daily emails at www.hollysinbox.com. The first book Holly's Inbox was out last year; the sequel Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City is out in June.
How would you explain your website to someone who knows nothing about it?
You log on as soon as you put your computer on in the morning. You stay logged on during the day, with it open on your desktop if possible. Emails come and go throughout the day, creating fast-paced drama and intrigue on your desktop. In between the emails, only if you have time - there's a forum and then there's even a live chat room. Secrets are sometimes revealed in the live chat room, making it very interactive, ANNOUNCEMENT comes up and everyone waits with bated breath to find out something extra about the book or its characters. You can open the chat room on your desktop too, and join in the hilarious discussion with other readers/addicts. Ideas about the plot, the characters, where it's all going to end, and make new friends all round the world!
Where did the idea of turning your inbox into a website come from?
Someone left the company unexpectedly and therefore someone had the unenviable task of trawling through their inbox in search of various clients' details. The person reading it became so addicted to the ex-employee's personal life, she nearly cried when she was told she had to stop reading it and get back to work.
How did the book deal come about?
We had no money coming in from the site at all, and trying to run it with volunteers was getting more and more difficult. In the end I emailed some agents in the hope they'd like it for something, I didn't really imagine what for, just wanted an agent. One out of about 30 emails came back - and she was wonderful and interested and thought it would make a book. The publishers said never in the history of the company had a book been turned around for production so quickly. It was all very exciting, our fab editor worked evenings and weekends on it.
Tell us what's in store with the next chapter, Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City.
Gossip, scandal, secrets, lies, and a few honest mistakes.
How did you go working with Shella on the annual results conference?
It went really well, the company were very pleased with us, and surprsingly she gave me some of the credit.
Facebook or MySpace?
I'm terrible at both, although I reply to everyone who mails me something.
How popular is your site?
The opening day this time was as big as the height last time, which is about 4000 unique visitors a day.
How does it feel to have so many people interested in your inbox?
Brilliant - can you imagine how proud my mother is? She is complete denial that she's even in the book.
What's the strangest fan message you've had?
The readers are fabulous, I've made so many honest, genuine, sweet people through this, it's like a little community, we all know each other now, and welcome newbies warmly. They have been emailing the characters' real email addresses all kinds of questions about real life, and sometimes the characters reply for real. I think one of the best bits was when people on the forum were chatting and Holly used something they'd said in her conversation with Jason in real time. The girls on the forum spotted it, and the one who'd had her conversation appear in the story was so shocked she was saying “I have to go outside and pinch myself!! Am I in a book, am I real, do I exist someone tell me?!?” She was hysterically funny.
If you could take a peek into anyone's inbox in the whole world, whose would it be?
Aysha's.
Besides receptionist, what's your dream job?
To be a writer.
What would you take with you to an desert island?
London - with me in charge
If Holly's Inbox was made into a movie, who do you see playing you?
Difficult one, there's a thread on the forum about this, I would have someone non-famous, I think they'd be more believable and “real”.
Do you read chick lit? If so, who are your favourite authors?
Jill Mansell.
What do you know about a guy called Bill who runs a firm providing receptionists?
He owns Front Recruitment, London's number 1 agency for corporate reception positions.
