Outlander Actor Sam Heughan Is Writing a Memoir
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Actor Sam Heughan is becoming something of a modern Renaissance man. Not only does he star as Jamie Fraser on the popular time-travel romance Outlander, but he also founded a fitness program, and recently launched a spirits brand called The Sassenach.
He can also call himself a New York Times best-selling author. Heughan's written two popular books with his Outlander and Men in Kilts co-star Graham McTavish about the culture and traditions of Scotland, called Clanlands and Clanlands Almanac.
And now, he's picking up the pen on his own and working on a memoir called WAYPOINTS, which, per publisher Voracious, will see Heughan set "out along a 100-mile journey deep into the Scottish Highlands to explore his life and reflect on the personal waypoints that define him. With the rugged West Highland Way as the backdrop to the narrative, Sam writes a love letter to the wild Scottish landscape that means so much to him—full of charming, funny, wise, and searching insights into the world through his eyes."
It's set to debut in hardcover October 25, and will be released simultaneously in the U.S. and the UK.
"WAYPOINTS is a memoir with a difference!" Heughan says of his latest project. "I wanted to tell the stories and share the experiences that have shaped me, but to do that I needed to challenge myself and spend some time in my own company, away from the distractions of everyday life. And for me there’s no better place to reflect than in the wild Scottish Highlands."
Asked what the experience taught him, Heughan responded that completing the walk "made [him] think that anything is possible. Instead of procrastinating, to get out there and do it. It was an adventure literally on my doorstep and yet I had never attempted it." He also revealed that in writing the book, he found himself opening up more than he typically does. "The opening chapter is very personal. I actually wrote it some time ago. Whilst processing the experience I had with my father. I’m fiercely protective of my private life and so to present this to the world makes me feel vulnerable but also, I hope that others who have similar experiences can relate."
In August, Heughan debuted the cover of the new book, and he's also confirmed that he will narrate the audiobook, which will feature some bonus additional content. Per the actor himself, it'll feature "exclusive audio recordings I made along the journey, documenting my thoughts, feelings, elation and the (occasional) emotional breakdown. I really enjoyed recording the journey – please excuse the questionable accents and random jabbering! – and there’s plenty in there that you can only find in the audiobook."
You can pre-order both the print and audiobook versions at the book's official website, here.
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