I’m really excited to be able to introduce Author Hannah Peckham whose picture book ‘Conker the Chameleon‘ is outstanding.
First off, tell us a little about yourself…
Hello, Thank you for having me. I am a person-centred counsellor. I have a two-year-old son and am loving reconnecting with my inner child to play with him. iI’s the best to be able to dance down the street and jump in puddles without anyone questioning you because you can blame the toddler…
What is your local bookshop and how can people find it?
It’s hard because of lockdown I have not been able to get it into bookshops, but it is available from all the usual places online including Amazon, Blue Falcon Publishing, Waterstones and W H Smiths.
Tell us all about your debut book ‘Conker The Chameleon’.
Conker has a very important message for our little ones. It gently blueprints valuable lessons such as talking about feelings, understanding others feelings and self-acceptance. The back pages subtly highlight the five steps to mental wellbeing.
What was your nickname at school? (If you had one)
Lots of people still call me Pecks and my husband always calls me Bonks (as in bonkers)
Were you good at writing at school?
My mum has always said I should write a book because of my creative imagination, but my spelling was shocking and that put me off. Although I often wrote poetry and songs to express my emotions.
What was your favourite book as a child?
So many Mervyn mouse, Noddy, my dad did all the voices from Roald Dahls books (my house is named Mugglewumps)
What was it that inspired you to become a writer?
I am a counsellor and it struck me how we all learn so much academically but we seldom learn about ourselves, what helps when we are sad, how to regulate and express emotions. I felt there was a story to be told and I was the person to do it.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
If I had told my younger self I would write and publish a number one best selling book I don’t think I would have believed myself, I was diagnosed with classic severe dyslexic at the age of five.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
I am a writer, but I am also a person-centred counsellor, a voice-over artist and a Mummy.
Has a book ever made you cry? What was it?
Oh my goodness all the time, the bridges of Madison county, the paper dolls, Kes, No matter what.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
On my fab illustrator Stephanie Jayne . And the Writers and Artists yearbook.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I think Conker (the character in my book) is a little belter, I’d like him as my mascot.
What does literary success look like to you?
I’m blown away at the reception Conker has had, I would love his story to be made into an animation
Do you Google yourself?
I have done, I wish you could self censor the results.
And most importantly… What is your favourite biscuit?
Dark chocolate digestive
I’d like to say a HHUUUUGGGEEEE thank you to Hannah for taking the time to answer some daft questions and talk a little about her amazing picture book Conker the Chameleon. Read my review here.
You can also follow Hannah on instagram
*If you are an author (or publisher who would like to introduce an author) and would like to do your own q&a, or something else, to feature on the blog then send me an email… It’s a great opportunity to wax lyrical about your work and do some shameless self-promotion.
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