This time on the blog we have Picture Book Author Kate Thompson who wrote ‘Super Heroes Don’t Get Scared’. Kate shares some great insights into what it takes to be an author and the importance books have in all our lives.
Hi Kate, tell us a little about yourself…
Hello, it’s lovely to meet you! My name is Kate Thompson and I am a children’s author.
My debut (which is just a fancy way for saying ‘first’!) picture book is called Superheroes Don’t Get Scared. It was illustrated by Clare Elsom and published by Ups!de Down Books, the new children’s imprint of mental health and wellbeing publisher, Trigger Publishing.
I live at the seaside on the South Coast with my husband, two sons, five goldfish, three stick insects, two guinea pigs (and the occasional visiting hedgehog!).
I’ve always loved books. I wrote my first picture book when I was 6 years old, and it was a childhood dream to become a children’s author (while doing a little sleuthing on the side). However, I didn’t achieve that dream until recently.
After university I trained and worked as a solicitor, but it never felt quite ‘right’ for me. Fortunately, after the birth of my first son in 2012 I rediscovered my love of picture books and decided to try writing my own. It took a few years of hard work, but I now get to spend my days gleefully lost in literary adventures of my own making! I just need to find a few mysteries to solve in my spare time and I’ll be living the dream!
What is your local bookshop and how can people find it?
I’m lucky because my closest independent children’s bookshop is The Book Nook in Hove. It’s about an hour away from me by road or train, but it’s always worth the journey! They have an amazing selection of children’s books, a wonderful child-friendly café and, prior to Covid, they held lots of regular story times and author events. They’ve continued to host author events online during lockdown too, which has been brilliant for children. I highly recommend a visit if you’re ever in the Brighton/Hove area!
Tell us about your book ‘Superheroes Don’t get Scared’
Superheroes Don’t Get Scared is about Maisie Brown, who dreams of being a superhero, because they never get scared…or so she thinks! But when she learns that even superheroes sometimes feel afraid, and that’s perfectly ok, she realises there’s a superhero in all of us, just waiting to be found.
My hope is that this book will start conversations between grown-ups and children about fear and will provide children with reassurance (and giggles!) at this difficult time, while also helping them to recognise and celebrate their own bravery.
I wrote the book in fast-paced rhyme and it contains lots of funny characters, who have been brought to life magnificently by Clare Elsom’s fantastic illustrations. So, although there is an important message at the core of the book, I don’t think it ever feels too serious!
As a bonus, proceeds from the sale of the book (as with all Trigger Publishing books) help support the work of the mental health charity, Shawmind.
You can find Superheroes Don’t Get Scared online at Amazon. But it’s always worth asking your local bookshop if they can order it for you.
What was your nickname at school? (If you had one)
I didn’t really have a nickname at school (or not that I knew about anyway!).
Were you good at writing at school?
I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing, and was very lucky to find writing relatively easy at school. English was definitely one of my favourite subjects! However, if you’re reading this and find writing or spelling tricky, please know that you don’t need to be amazing at spelling and grammar to be an author. The most important thing is that you’re excited to create your own books (whether fiction or non-fiction) and that you keep writing! Spelling and grammar can be sorted out later.
What was your favourite book as a child?
My favourite picture book as a child was The Paperbag Princess, written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko. It’s about a very unconventional princess who uses her wits to vanquish a dragon and save a prince. Then (at least in our edition) she finishes the story by calling him a ‘bum’! It always made me and my sisters giggle!
What was it that inspired you to become a writer?
I think it definitely stems from my love of books and reading. I’ve always been in awe of how children’s books are able to empower and reassure children when they most need it, or simply whisk them off on fantastical adventures. It’s such a privilege and joy to see my own book being enjoyed by children!
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Expecting too much too soon. I was guilty of this. When I wrote my first picture book manuscripts back in 2017, I immediately sent them off to multiple publishers and agents. I quickly received a rush of rejections. Aspiring writers need to accept that it takes a huge investment of time and energy to develop the skills required to succeed. They should ensure they are reading lots of recently published books of the type they want to write, join critique groups so they can receive and provide objective feedback, and write, write and write some more!
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Be brave, make bookish friends, and keep going!
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I was a very quiet sensitive child, and I remember very clearly how deeply I was affected by the language that other people used when talking. I realised then how important it was to choose your words and tone carefully when speaking to others. It’s the same when writing; words have such incredible power – they can demean and belittle, or they can build-up and empower. As a children’s author (and a human being!) I take this responsibility very seriously.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I feel very lucky to have some brilliant author friends. I first met Amy Sparkes after I came second in Writing Magazine’s 2018 Picture Book Prize and she has been instrumental in supporting and encouraging my development as a writer.
I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and attend a local writers’ group full of lovely authors, who I learn so much from whenever we meet. They even threw me a virtual book launch party during lockdown!
I also have a group of author and illustrator friends who are all at a similar stage to me in their journeys, with debut picture books coming over the next few years. We celebrate each other’s successes and support each other when times get tough. This is so important, as writing is definitely a rollercoaster of a job!
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
I’d be training as a primary school teacher, as I really love working with children.
Has a book ever made you cry? What was it?
Yes, there are scenes in The Hunger Games books that definitely made me cry, as a big sister and a mum. I won’t say any more though, as it would spoil the books for anyone who hasn’t read them yet!
What is your writing Kryptonite?
I can’t write with any kind of music playing. It stops me from being able to properly concentrate as I just want to sing along!
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
My SCBWI membership fee for sure. I’ve met so many writers and illustrators through SCBWI events, and I’m really grateful for my SCBWI writers’ group. Additionally, I met and signed with my wonderful agent, Jo Williamson, after being the runner up in a recent SCBWI writing contest, which I’m hoping will lead to more exciting bookish adventures in the future. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now without it.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Oooh tricky question! It would probably be a hare, as I tend to do things at full speed and give whatever I’m working on 100% of my time and energy. I’ve never been very good at the slow and steady approach to life!
What does literary success look like to you?
Writing and publishing books that make me proud. I can’t control how well my books sell, or how highly they are reviewed, but if I know that I’ve produced something that I would want to read to my own children, then that’s a success for me.
Do you Google yourself?
I don’t really Google myself, but I do Google my book from time to time, to see if it’s getting any new mentions on any blogs or bookstores. If you Google my name, you mostly get results for a different author with the same name – the downside to having a fairly common name!
And most importantly… What is your favourite biscuit?
Without a doubt, it’s chocolate chip biscuits for me, though Viennese Whirls come a very close second!
Thank you so much to Kate for talking about your book and giving a few things to remember if being an author is something your dream about!
You can find out more about Kate:
Twitter: @writes_kate
Instagram: @katethompsonwrites
Facebook: @KThompsonAuthor
Website: www.katethompsonwrites.com
*If you would like to do your own q&a to feature on the blog then send me an email…
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