Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hi and kia ora from Aotearoa New Zealand. I’m a teacher and a debut author. I live in Auckland with my wife, two daughters, and rascal dog Wilbur.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Maggie and the Mountain of Light”?
Juggling work and family commitments around writing. Finding enough space and time to work on the manuscript was challenging at times, especially with a demanding teaching job!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
J.R.R. Tolkien and his immersive Lord of the Rings mythology. Terry Brooks and the magical world of Shannara. Terry Pratchett and his remarkable Discworld series. Robert Jordan and the complex Wheel of Time series. Brandon Sanderson (who finished Jordan’s work) and his own exciting Cosmere series. David Eddings and his magical books. C.S. Lewis and Narnia. And Douglas Adams for the sheer joy he infused in his writing.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Aotearoa New Zealand is a stunning country. There’s a reason why The Lord of the Rings was filmed here. It is a natural paradise, with mountains you can be looking at and still think they are computer generated. I love being out in the natural world. One of my favourite places is the Whanganui River, where I went kayaking with my dad. It is a place of natural beauty, as well as challenge. It is also a strong memory I have with my father, who passed away a few years ago.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
Some authors like to have the whole book plotted out before writing anything, and so they do all of their research at the start. I prefer to make a start and then do my research as I go, but this sometimes means I can divert from writing for quite some time as I discover what I need to know. I usually create a basic plot outline before writing, although sometimes I have an idea and I just start writing it down.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Maggie and the Mountain of Light’?
Maggie and the Mountain of Light is the second book I have written. My first book is a YA fantasy called Redemption’s Fool. I’d written that over several years but was not finding any success when querying agents. I had the idea for Maggie when I was still querying Redemption’s Fool, and I wrote the first scene. I then took the rather unusual step (for me) of writing the synopsis. I think that was to fully cement the idea. I wrote the synopsis in September 2018 but I didn’t really focus on Maggie for another 18 months. When I queried my publisher in January 2022, I did so with the Redemption’s Fool manuscript. My publisher passed on that, but asked me if I had anything else. So I shared Maggie with her and she loved it. So, it ultimately took me a couple of years to complete Maggie and the Mountain of Light.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book?
On all the major platforms, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (Goodreads), ebook
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Maggie and the Mountain of Light’?
My initial working title was Maggie Thatcher Saves the World, but I soon realised this was too generic and overused (and possibly might lead people to think it was a book about British political history). The title Maggie and the Mountain of Light is much more unique and specific, and it directly relates to the story. The Mountain of Light hints at mystery and magic, which is a characteristic of the story. For the book cover we wanted to have a scene that readers could recognise when they read the story. And we wanted it to be a scene with the wonderful diverse range of characters, as well as mystery and magic. The cover has been hand-painted, which I still find incredible. And I love it!
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I found reading my book out loud to my daughters helped a lot. It gave me immediate feedback with their reactions, and helped to keep the book fresh. Likewise having readers who gave me honest feedback. Another important factor is making sure I am reading myself.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Sure! One is that, although the book is a fantasy, there are some very real and historically accurate elements in the story. Early readers have found it fun to work out what is real and what is fantastical. Secondly, I can reveal the name of the hidden programme that is part of the Wayfinder Girls. The programme is called Guardians!
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