AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

Name:
Cathy Hopkins

Born:
January 23rd 1953 in Manchester, England but lived in Kenya from 5 – 11 years old.

Lives: North London, England

Family:
5 Brothers, a husband, and 4 cats

How did you start writing?
In I987, I did a series of humour books with cartoonist Gray Joliffe and that gave me the writing bug.

When did you start writing teenage fiction?
In 2000.

What did you do before you started writing?
Went to art college
Rock and roll singer with Driving rock and the Rockettes
Worked in cool hippie dippie shop in Manchester called On the Eighth Day
Worked in a mental hospital as an occupational therapist
Back to college to do a degree in comparative religion and train to teach
Taught meditation
Trained and worked as an aromatherapist
Wrote non fiction books about relationships. Wrote books about aromatherapy
Decided I wanted to be a full time writer. Did loads of writing courses
Read scripts for the BBC comedy department
Reviewed newspapers for Sky News on Friday mornings
Then got commissioned to write teenage books and children’s books

Where do you write?
In a posh shed at the bottom of the garden. It’s great, with loads of shelves for my books, heating and a great sound system. Molly the cat loves it in there and waits outside some mornings to come in.

What are your favourite things?
TV programme: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Book as a child: What Katy Did

Children’s book now: Holes by Louis Sachar

Adult book: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Film: Once Upon a Time in America

Music: Mixed. I like all sorts. One specific piece is ‘Expecting to Fly’ by Buffalo Springfield

Colour: Turquoise

How would you describe your books?
Light-hearted teen fiction

Where do you get your ideas from?
All over the place, Overheard conversations, Newspaper articles, Books, Films, Dreams, Research, and sometimes they just pop into my head from nowhere.

What is your most precious memory?
So many. Er, the moment I first set eyes on my husband (he told me to write that or else he would divorce me).

What are you most proud of?
Having my books published and seeing them in book shops.

What is your advice for aspiring authors/illustrators?
Do creative writing courses. Never give up.

Do you have an agent?
Yes. Her name is Hilary Delamere at the Agency.

How can I get in touch with you?
You can write to Cathy Hopkins about the ‘Mates, Dates’ series or the ‘Truth, Dare, Kiss, Promise’ series:
C/o Piccadilly Press Ltd.,
5, Castle Road,
LONDON
NW1 8PR

Or through my agent:
Hilary Delamere,
at the Agency,
24, Pottery Lane,
LONDON
W11 4LZ.