Page 33 | Thread 12: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

DisappointedReader · 2025-08-02T11:25:02+00:00

The Observer [[https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-real-salt-path-how-the-couple-behind-a-bestseller-left-a-trail-of-debt-and-deceit The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were ...]] 2nd Observer [[https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-whats-in-the-book-and-what-the-observer-has-found https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-whats-in-the-book-and-what-the-observer-has-found]] 3rd Observer [[https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-the-truth-behind-the-blockbuster-book-video https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-the-truth-behind-the-blockbuster-book-video]] 4th Observer [[https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/moth-told-me-he-was-dying-when-a-doctor-had-said-his-brain-scan-was-normal ‘I felt I was being gaslit’ – the landlord who helped Ray...]] Raynor Winn/Sally Walker's statement [[https://www.raynorwinn.co.uk/ Raynor Winn]] Thread One ^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5368194-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?* www.mumsnet.com/talk/amibeingunreasonable/5368194-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]]^ Thread 2 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5368685-thread-2-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?page=1 Thread 2. To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film? | Mumsnet]] Thread 3 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5369425-thread-3-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/ami]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5369425-thread-3-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film being]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5369425-thread-3-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film unreasonable/5369425-thread-3-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] Thread 4 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5370609-thread-4-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/ami]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5370609-thread-4-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film being]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5370609-thread-4-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film unreasonable/5370609-thread-4-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] Thread 5 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5371570-thread-5-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film Thread 5: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film? | Mumsnet]] Thread 6 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5372494-thread-6-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/ami]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5372494-thread-6-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film being]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5372494-thread-6-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film unreasonable/5372494-thread-6-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-]] [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5372494-thread-6-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] Thread 7 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5373425-thread-7-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? www.mumsnet.com/talk/ami]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5373425-thread-7-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? being]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5373425-thread-7-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? unreasonable/5373425-thread-7-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] Thread 8 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5375023-thread-8-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? www.mumsnet.com/talk/ami]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5375023-thread-8-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? being]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5375023-thread-8-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? unreasonable/5375023-thread-8-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] Thread 9 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5376712-thread-9-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? www.mumsnet.com/talk/ami]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5376712-thread-9-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? being]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5376712-thread-9-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film? unreasonable/5376712-thread-9-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] Thread 10 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5378984-thread-10-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/ami]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5378984-thread-10-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film being]]^[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5378984-thread-10-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film unreasonable/5378984-thread-10-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] Thread 11 [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5382212-thread-11-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5382212-thread-11-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?]] New posters welcome. It would be helpful to read at least the four Observer items above before posting. There are currently 10 items on The Observer website [[https://observer.co.uk/collections/the-real-salt-path The real Salt Path | The Observer]] To all - Please be extremely cautious when it comes to naming or implicating people and addresses not in the public eye or with no direct connection to the story, and around the understandable health speculations, especially where details are unclear or still emerging. Please do not engage with visitors who seem to have their own agenda and seek to derail. Avoid @'ing and quoting them as - from experience - this will only encourage them back to the threads. We have done amazingly well together for eleven very interesting, very serious and very silly threads so far. I can't be here as much as I'd like so all help with keeping our discussion walking along in a healthy and civil fashion is very welcome. No saltiness. Keep to the path. Will our life-size cardboard cut-out Simon Armitage keep his head? *NB Timeline coming in the first posts of this thread for reference.*

Tidalisland · 04/08/2025 23:07

The 2015 medical letter says they will repeat the MRI scan (after a negative MRI in 2011).
I don't have a copy of TSP to check.

Fandango52 · 04/08/2025 23:11

Tidalisland · 04/08/2025 23:07

The 2015 medical letter says they will repeat the MRI scan (after a negative MRI in 2011).
I don't have a copy of TSP to check.

Edited

Just checked an online copy of TSP, and there’s nothing in there about any sort of scan.

Hyenana · 04/08/2025 23:11

Agoddessonamountaintop · 04/08/2025 07:55

You go to the account’s homepage and click on the three dots at the top right of the screen, then on ‘about this account.’ This tells you whether there have been any name changes. You’re welcome!

I woke up early this morning and have just spent more time than I’d care to admit scrolling her earlier posts. It’s all pretty bland, but it strikes me me as weirdly so; her ‘excited’ posts about the book being published, interviews at the Beeb, book readings etc. seem restrained to me, as if she’s taking it all in her stride as it’s only what’s due to her, after all. Easily said in retrospect I know.

Side issue: a few pics of the tent pitched slap bang in the middle of a beach set my teeth on edge. What do they do for plumbing when they’re miles from any facilities (do we still clutch pearls, haven’t been here much for years)?

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I've since looked it up and unfortunately it looks like that feature is not always reliable:
Another caveat with this method is you will only see username changes that have happened recently. If they have not changed usernames for a long time, Instagram doesn't display the Former Usernames option under About This Account^. https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-see-instagram-username-history/^

How to See Someone’s Instagram Username Change History

There are a few reasons to check an Instagram account's username changes, including spotting suspicious businesses.

https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-see-instagram-username-history/

crossedlines · 04/08/2025 23:15

Fandango52 · 04/08/2025 23:06

😂😂 physically, economically and politically…?

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🤣🤣

WynkenDeWorde · 04/08/2025 23:20

Uricon2 · 04/08/2025 21:39

The stag and M25 etc, etc rather put me in mind of Roy Batty's famous speech in Bladerunner

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.

Only not as good, obviously.

Edited

That’s made me snort my tea!

Hyenana · 04/08/2025 23:22

CoolBath · 04/08/2025 08:08

Yes, that’s much, much too short. Even if the first agent she sent it to offered her representation, and the they first editor sent it bought it, it’s still much too short. It would be like concluding a UK house sale in a fortnight — not possible even if your offer is accepted immediately and you’re a cash buyer ready to proceed. There are simply too many things that need doing in the interim,

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Ok so that means we can be reasonably sure that the BI piece was part of a marketing campaign that PRH must have been involved in/have conducted.
So did the BI also know or were they duped? Because they are supposed to be a magazine about a serious issue, which adheres to journalistic standards like indicating if they use someone's real name or a pseudonym, and whose job it is not to engage in hidden advertising.
But on the other hand, how could Sally hide her real identity from them if they had a contract and money changed hands or rather bank accounts?
Looks a bit shady to me.

FloreatAmbridge · 04/08/2025 23:44

Hyenana · 04/08/2025 23:22

Ok so that means we can be reasonably sure that the BI piece was part of a marketing campaign that PRH must have been involved in/have conducted.
So did the BI also know or were they duped? Because they are supposed to be a magazine about a serious issue, which adheres to journalistic standards like indicating if they use someone's real name or a pseudonym, and whose job it is not to engage in hidden advertising.
But on the other hand, how could Sally hide her real identity from them if they had a contract and money changed hands or rather bank accounts?
Looks a bit shady to me.

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There's nothing unusual or suspicious about writers (or actors for that matter - cf Olivia Cockburn and Neta-Lee Hershlag) using pseudonyms for a variety of reasons; apart from anything else, married women might legally take their husband's name but use their 'maiden name' professionally. So I'd be amazed if a paper or magazine insisted on printing a disclaimer where a writer's legal name didn’t match their nom de plume. For example, Marina Hyde's real name is Marina Dudley-Williams, she invented "Hyde" for her professional life. She says she changed it because her real name was too long to fit a newspaper byline. I wouldn't be surprised if another motivating factor was a desire to make a name for herself free of accusations of nepotism: her grandfather, Sir Rolf Dudley-Williams, was a Conservative minister in the 60s.

In SW's case, "Sally Walker" is not terribly memorable, and in any case there was already a writer of the same name in the same genre. Whereas "Raynor Winn" has a bit more ping to it, and "Winn" was genuinely her maiden name. BI would have had no reason to think that was suspicious.

Hyenana · 04/08/2025 23:56

GogleddCymru · 04/08/2025 13:46

I'm not the poster you tagged, Hyenana, but I am a multi-published author and can confirm that 8 months from submission to publication for an unknown author is impossible. Eighteen months would be pushing it but eight - no way. Apart from anything else, publishers' lists (of the up-coming, already accepted titles) are carefully planned months and months in advance, to balance the spread and make sure there's not too many of the same genre coming out at once, for example.

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Wow, so you think even 18 months would be on the short side?
That would mean Sally would have had a signed contract including forward pay with PRH no later than summer 2016 - and therefore Raymoth didn't have to rely on a meagre student allowance alone to finance their life and travels...

And the 2017 draft that CH mentioned in her latest article must have been leaked out of PRH. So her editor must have known about the changed dates and timelines between draft and book.

Hyenana · 05/08/2025 00:11

Snowfalling · 04/08/2025 14:21

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14967997/Cafe-owner-Salt-Path-author-falsely-portrayed-mother-bully-book.html

Has this been posted? really late to this thread. Seems they exaggerated/lied about their experience at a cafe making. No sure why I'm surprised any more 😅

This looks from the title like one of those copy-cat articles that simply repeat what was said in the Observer article https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-portrayals-that-left-a-sour-taste
The Times and iirc the Independent have published similar articles today.

The Salt Path: portrayals that left a sour taste

Locals speak of their shock at the way they have been characterised in the bestselling book

https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-portrayals-that-left-a-sour-taste

User14March · 05/08/2025 00:23

Hyenana · 04/08/2025 23:56

Wow, so you think even 18 months would be on the short side?
That would mean Sally would have had a signed contract including forward pay with PRH no later than summer 2016 - and therefore Raymoth didn't have to rely on a meagre student allowance alone to finance their life and travels...

And the 2017 draft that CH mentioned in her latest article must have been leaked out of PRH. So her editor must have known about the changed dates and timelines between draft and book.

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Very interesting.

AldoGordo · 05/08/2025 00:31

Divegirl65 · 04/08/2025 22:34

There was talk in thread 10/11 about the ferry from Plymouth to mount edgcumbe. She says they took the ferry from mount batten to the barbican. Went food shopping then wandered back to the barbican to catch the ferry to mount edgcumbe. However a PP pointed out to me that the ferry to mount edgcumbe leaves from a different part of the city (see attached picture). Another PP also wasn't convinced that the ferry could get stuck on a sandbank as described.

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Thanks v much. Though I don't see an inconsistency here - "back to the ferry" doesn't suggest back to the Barbican given its already stated the plan is to go from A to B, walk and shop then go to a connecting ferry, i.e C to D. Perhaps a confusing use of "back" but I don't think it's enough to think anything unusual. The ferry stranding on the sandbank is something else though. That seems unusual.

Hyenana · 05/08/2025 00:46

Uricon2 · 04/08/2025 18:44

Oh agree, it would be a fascinating comparison.

The "simple, pure soul" stuff is IMO v interesting.

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Especially as that soul gets destroyed by love.

If I were to get romantic I would imagine a naive insecure girl falling madly in love with a scoundrel who loves to be loved more than he loves her back. She then spends the next 30 years doing everything to make him happy, which includes paying for his expensive tastes with dishonestly earned money. As they both get older and his always unsteady eyes start wandering even more, she starts asking herself if it was worth it. But it is to late, there is no turning back now...

Hyenana · 05/08/2025 01:11

FloreatAmbridge · 04/08/2025 23:44

There's nothing unusual or suspicious about writers (or actors for that matter - cf Olivia Cockburn and Neta-Lee Hershlag) using pseudonyms for a variety of reasons; apart from anything else, married women might legally take their husband's name but use their 'maiden name' professionally. So I'd be amazed if a paper or magazine insisted on printing a disclaimer where a writer's legal name didn’t match their nom de plume. For example, Marina Hyde's real name is Marina Dudley-Williams, she invented "Hyde" for her professional life. She says she changed it because her real name was too long to fit a newspaper byline. I wouldn't be surprised if another motivating factor was a desire to make a name for herself free of accusations of nepotism: her grandfather, Sir Rolf Dudley-Williams, was a Conservative minister in the 60s.

In SW's case, "Sally Walker" is not terribly memorable, and in any case there was already a writer of the same name in the same genre. Whereas "Raynor Winn" has a bit more ping to it, and "Winn" was genuinely her maiden name. BI would have had no reason to think that was suspicious.

Edited

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But she is not a professional author writing about events separate from her, she is a main part of the story as well as personal witness to events described there.
And usually in newspaper and magazine articles, people like that are either named or pseudonymized but openly so.
I'm not 100% sure about guest authors that write about their own experiences, but since they are participants and witnesses mostly I would think that applies to them as well.

Fandango52 · 05/08/2025 01:17

Just started reading TWS and thought I’d share some initial thoughts.

I like the slow pace of life she describes, and the idea of pottering around in the countryside and at home with Moth as they settle into a routine together post-TSP even if it’s likely built on lies. I can see why it appealed to people.

The intro is a bit pants though - maybe I’m jaded, but it’s very cliched and impersonal and reads like a nature-by-numbers montage that could have been cobbled together by Chat GPT.

The other main thing annoying me at the moment is Sal’s repeated insistence that she’s barely worked, when she writes that she’s putting off the task of opening up her laptop to job-hunt, as a fiftysomething with no employment record. C’mon, Sal…!

AldoGordo · 05/08/2025 01:33

Hyenana · 05/08/2025 01:11

But she is not a professional author writing about events separate from her, she is a main part of the story as well as personal witness to events described there.
And usually in newspaper and magazine articles, people like that are either named or pseudonymized but openly so.
I'm not 100% sure about guest authors that write about their own experiences, but since they are participants and witnesses mostly I would think that applies to them as well.

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Moreover - why did Timothy need a pseudonym?

FloreatAmbridge · 05/08/2025 01:52

Hyenana · 05/08/2025 01:11

But she is not a professional author writing about events separate from her, she is a main part of the story as well as personal witness to events described there.
And usually in newspaper and magazine articles, people like that are either named or pseudonymized but openly so.
I'm not 100% sure about guest authors that write about their own experiences, but since they are participants and witnesses mostly I would think that applies to them as well.

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The only situation I can think of where a publication would say "some names have been changed" or "the writer's name has been changed" is in a very different kind of scenario, in which the person has been witness to or a victim of a potentially criminal act, a traumatic event, or something similar. In those situations, the publication would owe a duty of care to the person, they have to protect them from potential reprisals by the subject of the allegations, and/or perhaps from being publicly known to have experienced something traumatising. That's very different from the BI article. Again, there's no reason why the BI or any other publication would police the name SW chose to use as a writer (be it professional, aspiring professional, or just plain amateur). Writers can write under whatever name they please, even if they are writing about their own (alleged!) experiences!

FloreatAmbridge · 05/08/2025 01:53

AldoGordo · 05/08/2025 01:33

Moreover - why did Timothy need a pseudonym?

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Well, obviously we know the real reason. But SW claims he genuinely does go by the name "Moth".

mycatismyworld · 05/08/2025 04:35

I've met quite a few " too cool for school" types. That said those who are in a relationship often have a partner who works to bring home the bacon.
Mothwinn obviously thinks he's above earning a decent living as a master plasterer and would rather work for a pittance for the National Trust ' cause it's more fitting for him image.
If he'd stuck to what he's good at ,the mortgage on their cottage would've been paid off in a few years leaving him all the time in the world to tit about curating his image .

User14March · 05/08/2025 06:21

mycatismyworld · 05/08/2025 04:35

I've met quite a few " too cool for school" types. That said those who are in a relationship often have a partner who works to bring home the bacon.
Mothwinn obviously thinks he's above earning a decent living as a master plasterer and would rather work for a pittance for the National Trust ' cause it's more fitting for him image.
If he'd stuck to what he's good at ,the mortgage on their cottage would've been paid off in a few years leaving him all the time in the world to tit about curating his image .

How did they get a mortgage & funds for French doer-upper?

mycatismyworld · 05/08/2025 06:31

User14March · 05/08/2025 06:21

How did they get a mortgage & funds for French doer-upper?

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According to Sally in her latest post,they remortgaged their home. The cottage in France wouldn't have cost more than a few grand.

Catwith69lives · 05/08/2025 06:34

Hyenana · 04/08/2025 23:56

Wow, so you think even 18 months would be on the short side?
That would mean Sally would have had a signed contract including forward pay with PRH no later than summer 2016 - and therefore Raymoth didn't have to rely on a meagre student allowance alone to finance their life and travels...

And the 2017 draft that CH mentioned in her latest article must have been leaked out of PRH. So her editor must have known about the changed dates and timelines between draft and book.

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Probably been mentioned before but in one interview SW claimed she began writing the first draft of TSP in September 2016, finished a first draft in March 2017 which was re-edited several months later before the Big Issue article appeared in May 2017.

Catwith69lives · 05/08/2025 06:39

Bit more detail about the owner of the cafe in Mullion Cove from a local Cornish paper

The Salt Path Mullion cafe claim by Raynor Winn 'horrendous' | Falmouth Packet

'It made me feel horrendous' Cafe owner hits back at 'bully' claims in Salt Path

When a friend showed her an excerpt from the million selling book The Salt Path, café owner Joanna Cocking couldn’t believe what she was reading.

https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/25364985.salt-path-mullion-cafe-claim-raynor-winn-horrendous/

Digitalhen · 05/08/2025 07:02

Twelvehaysofmistcats · 02/08/2025 20:34

https://anyporthinastorm.com/index.php/articles/15-the-salt-path-a-walk-without-a-moral-compass?

Just found this detailed critique, nothing new but thorough!

Great article, enjoyed reading that, very well written.

CoolBath · 05/08/2025 07:21

Hyenana · 04/08/2025 23:56

Wow, so you think even 18 months would be on the short side?
That would mean Sally would have had a signed contract including forward pay with PRH no later than summer 2016 - and therefore Raymoth didn't have to rely on a meagre student allowance alone to finance their life and travels...

And the 2017 draft that CH mentioned in her latest article must have been leaked out of PRH. So her editor must have known about the changed dates and timelines between draft and book.

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Not necessarily. If it comes out in hardback in the summer of 2018, could be PRH bought the book in late 2016. And the advance may well have been pretty small. At that point, too, she doesn’t know whether the book will even earn out, far less whether she will ever make any further money from it, beyond that advance.

AzureStaffy · 05/08/2025 08:01

Digitalhen · 05/08/2025 07:02

Great article, enjoyed reading that, very well written.

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Yes it's very good. The most significant part to me is when Burton writes:

'I held a sense of something shady, that there was a back story I could not quite see no matter how much light I shone – something surely the publisher could if they chose to ask the right questions. Questions such as ‘what is your real name, and what about this court case?’ (my italics).

I know other posters have said that Penguin would only be concerned if something was actionable and that they didn't need to check everything but being liable for debts of someone else's business is ridiculous. Even more so when that includes having one's home as collateral in that debt. No one with a functioning brain would sign such an agreement. I have no business or financial acumen but noticed this immediately so Penguin staff, especially lawyers, should have. The description of the court case is implausible too. The whole story is astonishing.