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Are you on social media?
What are your pronouns?
She/her/hers
I've been set homework about your book, can I ask you some questions?
Firstly, YAY--I am so honoured that you're studying my book at school! Unfortunately I don't have enough time to answer questions but I do have some fun facts about me and interviews I've done below. I really hope it's helpful!
How can I contact you for professional/book related enquiries?
I am represented by Lydia Silver at the Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency. Please contact Lydia for book and other professional inquiries.
How did you become an author?
I have always wanted to become an author but I started writing seriously when I was a teenager. I wrote stories in my spare time and eventually (after years of writing and re-writing), I was offered representation by my lovely literary agent, Lydia. Lydia then sent out my book to lots of different publishers, and HarperCollins Children's Books wanted to publish me. It was definitely a dream come true moment, but along the way I have had my fair share of no's and rejections!
Can you read my book?
I have a TBR pile as long as my arm, so unfortunately I don't have time to read your book.
Where do you get your ideas from?
SO MANY PLACES. I spend a lot of time thinking about potential stories and am often inspired by the news, books, movies, podcasts and chats with my friends and family. Ideas often pop up at the most inopportune time (cough IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT cough.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Read anything and everything you can get your hands on, remember that first drafts aren't meant to be pretty and always back up your work!
What disabilities do you have?
I have Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), a connective tissue disorder that is often grouped under the Ehlers-Danlos umbrella. I deal with frequent joint dislocations, chronic pain, brain fog and lots of other symptoms. I often use my trusty walking stick or other mobility aids to help me get around. I also have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) which is a malfunction of the automatic nervous system. This condition involves a racing heart rate and dizziness when I stand up, temperature disregulation and chronic fatigue. I deal with anxiety and panic attacks.
What's it like being a disabled author?
I am so proud to be a disabled author, writing disabled characters into the heart of every one of my stories. When I was a kid, I hardly saw any disabled main characters in the books I read, and I really want disabled kids to see themselves as protagonists. My disability does mean that I have to pace myself--balancing events with writing is sometimes tricky and I occasionally come across people who don't understand my disability--but it is SO worth getting to meet my readers.
Can you visit my school/library/event?
I would love to! Head on over to my events page for more info.
I have a question you haven't answered!
Fill out my contact form here, and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Can I see a picture of your cats?
YES! Scout is the calico and Sunny is the tuxedo.
I know that students are sometimes set homework to find out more about authors so here is a little more about me!
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I was born on April 23rd, which is St Georges' Day and also William Shakespeare's birthday (and death day!). I like to think that means writing was fated to be my job.
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I'm absolutely hopeless at spelling, grammar and punctuation.
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My all time favourite books are Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery and Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson. Some of my favourite authors are Robin Stevens, Katherine Rundell, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and J. T. Williams.
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Other things I adore: reading on a rainy day, museums, baking, colourful nails, earl grey tea, collecting pretty notebooks, libraries, bright lipstick and gardening.
Psst...if you need more information, why not check out these links:​