Al Gibson is a published author, journalist and publicist based in England. He’s written and edited books, ebooks, blogposts and news articles across a range of publications, and now helps other writers get their own work published through his personal publishing services. He also brings years of corporate communications experience to Countdown Creative Ltd, where he helps new authors build buzz and grow a following.
Early Career
Al was born in Zimbabwe in 1962 and graduated from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, with a Bachelor of Journalism and Media Studies in 1984. He began his career as a student reporter for The Herald in Harare, then worked as a sub editor for the Rand Daily Mail in Johannesburg. After training at Rhema Bible Training Centre, he spent 17 years in publishing across South Africa, working on titles ranging from Engineering News to Homes and Gardens magazine. In 1990 he started his own editing and design business, specialising in newsletter production and magazine editing for a decade.
Al moved to the UK in 2001 and joined GOD TV, where he worked for 18 years. During this time he edited the GOD TV Guide, produced in different regions and translated into multiple languages with a large global circulation, and spent two years editing GODTV.com. Across three decades in the media, Al has interviewed and written about many well known leaders, asking what has been key to their success and how they have overcome the obstacles in their way. A born encourager, he is always looking to inspire others, particularly through the power of personal testimony.
Books
Life On The Line (Biography of Des Sinclair) While in South Africa in 2006, Al met the Kiwi evangelist who has fearlessly braved death many times. Des has risked everything to share a message of freedom in parts of Africa hostile to Christianity. The book urges readers to step out and do more with their lives than they imagined.
‘Mother of Malawi’ (Biography of Annie Chikhwaza) Annie has created an oasis of love in a country of orphans. Out of death and despair she has created a place of life and hope. Al met Annie at the Zimbabwe border post in 2006 and visited Kondanani Children’s Village in 2012. He was amazed to see all she has accomplished at the orphanage and children’s hospital and privileged to share her story of immense bravery.
Life After Belsen (Biography of Simon Bloomberg). In 2015 Al was given a collection of 70-year-old diaries, historic documents, a faded manuscript, sepia photos and handwritten letters. The result is a new Holocaust-themed book that captures insights into the plight of the Jewish people and their battle for their own land.
Blogs & News Articles
Al has been blogging for many years, starting here at algibsonauthor.com before taking on a much larger role as editor of GOD TV’s blog site, which drew one to three million hits a month. During this time he managed a team of voluntary writers and learned the principles behind creating viral content. Al left GOD TV several years ago and has since built up three regional Christian blog sites, UK Christian, International Christian and US Christian, in partnership with other writers in each region.
During lockdown he devised a strategy to grow these sites to a significant following, combining creative copywriting, SEO optimised blogging and strategic social media posting. Al is available to share the principles behind this steady growth through Countdown Creative.
Business
Al started Countdown Creative Ltd in Exeter in 2021, combining tried and tested journalistic principles with new technology to help individuals and businesses build their online presence. The company provides copywriting for websites, brochures and leaflets, alongside PR services including press releases and reputation management. Countdown also has a local focus, promoting entrepreneurship in Devon through Al’s Devon Business blog and its listing of company profiles.
Al is married with six children and lives in Exeter, Devon, where he attends Rediscover Church. An avid reader in his spare time, he likes to review books that he feels can make a difference in people’s lives.
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