The Big Break is over the moon to be interviewing Liz Kessler, author of two very successful children's books series, Emily Windsnap and Phillipa Fisher. Her new book 'A Year Without Autum' will be released on the 7th April by Orion Childrens Books.
Thank you very much for having me. Itâs great to be here!
What career did you have before you began writing for a living?
I worked as a teacher (English and Media Studies) and as a journalist.
How long had you been dreaming of being published before you got that life changing phone call?
Well it started when I was about eight. I had my first poem published in the local newspaper and I was pretty sure that I was going to be a famous poet when I grew up. I kind of forgot about the dream for a couple of decades, but when I came back to it, it was as if Iâd remembered that that was what Iâd always wanted to be, and I didnât waste any more time. I got straight on with it.
How long did it take you to write your first book?
About a year. Then a bit longer for the editing, once Iâd got the book deal.
What was your first reaction when you found out that your debut novel ‘The Tail of Emily Windsnapâ was to be published?
I couldnât believe it. It was the BEST feeling ever!
What were you doing when you found out?
I was at home on the narrow boat I used to live on, on a canal just outside Manchester.
Who did you tell first?
My best friend, Fiz, who lived on the boat next door to mine. (See the Bookwitch Guest Blog on April 7th for more on this!)
How long did it take for your book to reach publication after the initial agreement?
Eek, I canât remember! I know it felt like a lifetime! Probably about a year and a half.
What was happening to your manuscript during this time?
Well, firstly it went backwards and forwards about a hundred times between me and my wonderful editor Judith Elliott. Then once that was all done, it was over to Orion to add lovely line drawings to chapter headings, produce the cover and so on. And then off to production I guess!
How did you keep yourself occupied as you waited for publication day?
I had a couple of part time jobs at the time. I was teaching a couple of writing courses and working freelance with an editorial and advisory agency, editing other peopleâs manuscripts. That was great. Both of these helped me to spot lots of flaws in my own writing.
Where did you see your book on sale first? How did it feel to see your name on the finished book?
The first place I remember seeing it was in Ottakarâs (now Waterstoneâs) in Wilmslow. I was with a friend and we couldnât see it on the shelves. My friend persuaded me to ask them if they had it, and it turned out they were just about to put them out on the shelves. I came out beaming! (And have stayed good friends with that bookshop ever since.)
Your new book ‘A Year Without Autumnâ will be released on the 7th of April. How will you celebrate publication day?
By throwing a party in my favourite café bar in St Ives, overlooking the beach and drinking Prosecco. Why, is there any other way to celebrate publication day?
How does it feel to have people recognise you as an author?
Err...I donât exactly get recognised a huge amount! Actually, I did once get recognised at my local co-op after thereâd been an article in the local paper. And last summer a girl came up to me on the beach and told me she was a fan. That was fantastic! Oh, and while we were on a family holiday in Croatia last year, my nephew spotted a girl reading my book in Swedish! That was very cool!
How would you spend a typical writing day?
I donât really have a ‘typicalâ day. It can range so much, depending on all sorts of things: where Iâm up to with the current book, whether we have people staying, how sunny it is, how good the surf is looking etc!
Recently, my work day starts at 7am. Iâm at my desk dealing with admin, emails, twitter, facebook etc etc. I try to get all that kind of stuff out of the way to clear my head. Then Iâll do my work. I set targets. If Iâm on a first draft, I usually do 1,500 words a day. If that takes all day with lots of faffing in between, then thatâs OK. But if I want to go out to play in the afternoon, Iâll work really hard and be done by lunchtime. If Iâm editing (which I am at the moment) I try to edit a chapter a day.
Whatever aspect of the job Iâm doing, I do spend a lot of hours doing it. But I try to do lots of other stuff in between as well!
What advice would you give to aspiring and unpublished authors?
There is so much I could say here! If you want a long answer to this question then check out my website. (Click on the keyboard on the desk and itâll open up a page of writing advice!)
But in short, I would say: work hard, write the things that really drive you, and enjoy it! Donât try to figure out what the market wants - the market is very fickle and by the time youâve figured out what they want, theyâll have moved on! Just write whatâs really in your heart - but also listen to the advice of people who know what theyâre talking about.
Remember your mum/best friend/partner will tell you that your book is great - and to them it will be. They probably donât know anyone else whoâs written a book! But telling you that youâre great is part of their job description, so when they say that, be grateful and polite, but then go and show your work to someone else as well, just to be sure! Joining (or starting) a writing group is a great thing to do. Being around others who are passionate about writing and sharing your work with each other is one of the most empowering and useful things you can do.
Carry a notebook around with you for those moments when inspiration strikes. And donât worry if you have long periods where you feel you have no ideas or you canât figure out what to do next. Itâs all part of the process.
Ooops. Just remembered I said ‘In shortâ didnât I?! Oh well, hope this helps. The main thing above everything else - enjoy it!
Thank you Liz for talking to us today. If you would like to know more about Liz then click on her website here. If you want to know more about 'A Year Without Autum' which comes out next Thursday then click on the Amazon link here.

The notebook to hand seems to be the key to all inspiration doesn't it? Whether it be writing, drawing, crafty stuff... I must get into the habit.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this - thank you both Liz and Viv :)
Fantastic feature Viv - love it :D
ReplyDeletegreat post and I like her advice about writing whats in your heart.
ReplyDeleteI really love these interviews. I just can't imagine the feeling of seeing your own book in a bookshop. Must be amazing.
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