SMALL’s been out in the world an entire year. And the whole ‘being an author*‘ thing is finally sinking in … helped by introducing myself to an editor at a party earlier this week who said ‘Ohh, you’re Hannah Moffatt, the author!’ (I’m now secretly wondering if I can make everyone address me like that. Perhaps I’ll start wearing a name badge…)
To celebrate SMALL’s big day, here are three of the best bits about being an author so far.
1. Seeing children’s faces light up when I show them Rory’s illustrations.
I always knew Rory was amazing, but it’s such a joy to see children discovering his work for the first time. Here’s one of my favourite illustrations from SMALL! I love showing it to young readers and getting them to imagine what it would be like if a giant visited their house!
2. Being shortlisted for the Waterstones children’s book prize.
Dream-come-true moments don’t come much bigger. I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Waterstones booksellers who voted for SMALL! Suddenly seeing my little book in window displays and on tables – and getting messages from shocked friends and family who spotted copies in their local shops too – was utterly wonderful.
3. SMALL! having a sibling … SMALL BITES BACK!
Given it took about a million years to write the first book, I honestly never expected SMALL’s sequel to follow within the year. But I’m so happy I was able to take Harvey and Walloping to a new part of the swamp for a second adventure. Getting to tell classes all about it was magical, too. Highlights include the unanimous cry of “YES!” when someone asked in a class Q&A if a sequel was coming; and visiting a class of SMALL! fans on World Book Week who spent the whole time asking me about the sequel and guessing what might happen in vampire school!
*It’s a fun and funny business this authoring lark. I’ve certainly noticed the difference between ‘being someoone who writes children’s books’ and ‘being a children’s author’. Ironically, being the latter often makes being the former much harder. Right now, for example, I’m supposed to be on a writing sprint with my other debut pals. Am I crafting my next story? Nope. I’m writing this. Because surely SMALL!’s first birthday will make great content! (Before becoming published I don’t think I ever viewed something as content – now I think about it far too much, and still struggle to get it right.)
Fancy celebrating Small!’s birthday? Why not order a copy, get the sequel or give the best present of all – by leaving a (hopefully good!) review 😄
Hannah Moffatt, word wrangler 