Delighted to one kicking off the New Year with something SUPER!
We’ve been catching up with author Kate Thompson and quizzing her about her new picture book Superheroes Always Fight Back…Or do they?
Read on to find out what Kate has to say about kindness and cat-butlering!
- Tell us about you in 25 words or less.
I’m a half-deaf, ex-lawyer turned mum and children’s writer who lives by the sea and always makes use of the full word limit provided… indubitably.
- Your picture book Superheroes Always Fight Back…Or Do They?comes out on January 5th. Can you tell us a little bit about how it came to be?
After my debut picture book Superheroes Don’t Get Scared… Or Do They? was published in September 2020 and performed well, my editor asked whether I’d be interested in writing a second book. I’d loved working with Clare Elsom (the fabulous illustrator of both books) and the teams at Trigger Publishing and Welbeck Children’s Books, so I jumped at the opportunity. During the pandemic we all saw what a huge difference everyday acts of kindness made to those around us, so I felt strongly that I wanted this second book to champion the incredible power of kindness and empathy. Once I’d worked out the basic setup, the story almost wrote itself and I’m thrilled that it’s made it into print after a difficult few years for everyone.
- Ok, here’s a challenge… can you sum up your book in five words? [runs and hides!]
Be a superhero, be kind!
- What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m wrenched out of bed by my alarm at 6.30am, and I stare bitterly at my husband as he snores happily under the duvet. My 10-year-old will have been up for at least half an hour already and sorts food for himself and the cat, so I blearily make breakfast for me and my 8-year-old. Somehow, we make it out of the door with all the random homework assignments by 8.15 to walk to school. Sometimes I walk home via the beach, but usually I come straight back, do a quick workout and by 10am I aim to be writing or editing or working on something vaguely book-related. I usually work on the sofa as I also work part-time as the cat’s back door opener(!) In the afternoon I collect my children and go into full ‘mum-mode’ with all the usual cooking, helping with homework and carting to swimming, clubs etc. I’m not much good at night, so I tend to keep the evenings free to relax, unless I’m mid-writing sprint in which case I write at any chance I get – I’ve been known to write with one hand and stir pasta with the other!
- What makes you happy?
It’s the simple things – spending time with my family, early morning workouts, the smell of coffee (particularly before those early morning workouts!), a good book, and, of course, writing the perfect rhyming couplet.
- What’s on your TBR pile at the moment?
There are too many to name, but the teeteringly tall pile includes ‘A Tangle of Spells’ by Michelle Harrison, ‘The Very Merry Murder Club’ edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens, ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Ruling the Galaxy’ by David Solomons. YA-wise I can’t wait to read ‘Mina and the Slayers’ by Amy McCaw – I read her first novel, ‘Mina and the Undead’ and really loved it – a vampire-themed murder mystery set in the 1990s ticks all the boxes for me!
- What’s your worst habit?
Feeding the imposter syndrome monster (his favourite foods include self-doubt, anxiety and custard creams).
- Your favourite word(s) and why –
‘Home’, because it’s my happy place, ‘dollop’ because it feels good to say and usually means I’m getting a big serving of something delicious, and ‘The End’ because it means that for a moment I can kid myself that my job is done!
- What are your top tips for budding writers?
- Read as much as you can, not just in the genre and age-group you’re writing for – a good breadth of reading material can only improve your writing (plus it’s fun).
- Connect with other writers on your social media of choice.
- Make the most of any writing opportunities you come across, whether competitions, mentorships or courses – there is always something new to learn.
- Let story ideas brew for as long as they need before you start writing them.
- Don’t submit too early – I wince when I think of my eager far-too-early submissions!
- Is there anything that’s surprised you about the publishing process?
I’ve only worked with three publishers so far, but I have been surprised at how much input I’ve had into illustrator choices, edits etc. However, I know that isn’t the case for everyone.
Also, aspiring authors do need to be aware of just how slow publishing can be – everyone is really busy and publishing schedules are booked up years in advance. I’m currently editing a picture book that’s not due out until late 2025!
- Can you give us a glimpse / hint at your current WIP? (I can bribe you with cake!)
I have so many! I have two middle-grade ideas in their early stages – one is a lower middle-grade murder mystery with a twist, and the other is an upper middle-grade magical fantasy story. I’m also editing a festive picture book. I like to write in lots of different styles – I get bored easily!
- Did we forget anything?
Hmm… well one question I get asked a lot at school visits is, ‘Who is your favourite character?’ so I’ll answer that one here. In Superheroes Always Fight Back… Or Do They? my favourite character is Super SoundWave.
Not only are her spreads beautiful, both in terms of Clare’s illustrations and the story they tell, but she represents the achievement of a personal writing goal – to include a character with hearing loss in one of my books. As I mentioned above, I am completely deaf in my right ear and have been since I had mumps at 4 years old. I don’t wear hearing aids (they wouldn’t help), but my 8-year-old’s best friend does, so I consulted with her and her mum when I was feeding back to Clare on the design of Super SoundWave’s ‘Ultra Hearing Hoops’. I know I would have loved to see more characters with incidental hearing loss in the books I read as a child, so I’m thrilled to be involved in creating one thirty (or so(!)) years on.
Just for fun
Tea or coffee?
Can I have both?!
Paper books or e-books?
Paper books, although e-books are my go-to if I’m trying to sneakily read next to a sleeping child.
Cake or chocolate?
Chocolate.
Write or type?
I write for world-building and character development, but type for the actual writing.
Poetry or prose?
Poetry.
Hot or cold?
Cold – you can always add more layers to get warm (just ask my children who often can’t bend their arms in winter!) but there’s a limit as to what you can take off to cool down(!)
