Gisele Scanlon

Gisèle Scanlon left a journalistic and TV career in Ireland to travel and write her first book The Goddess Guide, "not because I was any good, but because I wanted to see the world and at the risk of humiliation and complete and downright failure I’d always wanted to write (and maybe illustrate) a book.” She signed a deal with UK and US publishers in 2006 to write The Goddess Guide books and received more than 1 million readers worldwide. She subsequently described her publishing success as a case of mistaken identity. “Unfortunately I think many thought I was the Gisèlle Scanlon. She won Miss Dominican Republic 1974. If you looked closer you’d see that she has one more ‘l’ in her name.”

Accompanied by this humble attitude, her camera and her friends she continues to cut her own path through travel in search of style and adventure and her “Goddess Guide” book series have garnered her numerous international accolades.

Her past travel, fashion and food adventures and interviews include Tracey Emin, John Galliano, Damian Hirst, Sir Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Christian Louboutin, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Martin Parr, Bono, Renee Zellweger and her personal favourites Miss Piggy, Kermit The Frog and Courtney Love.

Courtney Love described her as ‘My favourite Irish person on Earth or Mars. Insightful but unpretentious, she tells the truth.’ As a writer it’s one of the most difficult things to do.

Affectionately known as “The Goddess” she was asked to interview Renee Zellweger (the real Bridget Jones) for Ireland’s premier TV station RTE which made her realise “I’m a tiny version of her” (Bridget Jones not Renee Zellweger). She also fronted a travel slot for the Richard & Judy show on Channel 4 after being chosen with The Goddess Guide as one of their favourite Richard & Judy book club reads.

US Elle have called her “The one in the know... She gently guides a reader/viewer through where to shop, eat, visit etc to achieve their inner goddess; including location specific sections dedicated to some of the most inspirational cities in the world.”

Her knack for pointing her camera in the direction of a fresh image to uncover secrets for her Goddess Guide blog on food, fashion, beauty and travel from inspirational people puts her at the forefront of female adventure. Her interviews are hard-won and her stories are told in an entertaining, honest yet self-effacing, humble way.

You can catch her on the go at http://twitter.com/GoddessGuide in between drinking many cups of tea. Her blog www.thegoddessguide.com and facebook is here http://www.facebook.com/thegoddessguide