I started this blog feature some time ago with the realisation that Suffolk and East Anglia are full of talented authors and illustrators. I have hosted Rob Ramsden, Sophie Green, Ruth Fitzgerald and recently, I was lucky enough to put some questions to the uber talented, lovely and award winning Lisa Thompson.
Her books are fantastic and enchant readers around the world. With a further three books to come from Lisa and her publisher Scholastic, we will be lining up to get our hands on them!
Her books are incredible stories led by relatable characters and a plotline driving the story forward. Known to bring out emotions and to deal with subjects sensitively, her books are widely celebrated and widely read.
Suffolk is a wonderful county to live in and visit and is brimming with talented authors and illustrators, of which you are an award-winning part of! What are your thoughts on the amazing local book community?
There is an incredible writing community here and some also, some really wonderfully supportive bookshops. I have a few writer friends in the area who I am in touch with! I was about to organise a meet-up just before lockdown hit us but hopefully something can be sorted out in the autumn.
How would you describe Suffolk to someone wanting to visit?
Suffolk is the perfect place to escape from the stresses of life. You can explore the wonderful pastel coloured villages, walk for miles in the glorious countryside, marvel at the big skies, walk the wonderful coastline and soak up our incredible history. It’s quiet, inspiring, friendly and has some brilliant pubs!
Do you have favourite places in Suffolk that you visit time and time again?
I think it would have to be Southwold. I absolutely love it there and I never get tired of the town or the coastline. Even though I only live an hour away I go on holiday there quite often!
Do you gather inspiration from Suffolk for settings/ houses/ events in your books?
The majority of my books are inspired from the town where I grew up in Essex. The settings are always fictional but that is where I picture the streets/houses in my head. However, my next book is set in Southwold! I don’t mention the town but I pictured the seafront and the pier when I was writing it.
Your next book with Barrington Stoke is called The House of Clouds- can you tell us a bit more about it?
The House of Clouds is about a girl called Tabby who is really fed up. She seems to be losing her best friend at school and her Grandad has come to live with them and is gradually taking over the house. He makes up ridiculous, childish stories and she also has to take his smelly dog, Buster, for a walk each day. One day, she heads to the seafront and she spots a lonely hilltop house with something strange going on… She mentions it to her Grandad who turns it into another strange story. But when tragedy strikes, Tabby is left wondering if, just maybe, Grandad was telling the truth…It’s a book about family, connection and imagination and particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+.
My Shelves Are Full 