Imagine there’s another reason to reverse climate change, one which threatens to wipe out all the grown-ups in the world within a year.
SM Smyth – 27 April 2021
The Back Flap
This fun story shows kids how to reverse climate change. All they have to do is show it to grown-ups. And yet it doesn’t even mention climate change. How’s that for a neat trick?
About the book
What is the book about?
Something happens in this fun kids’ story which terrifies grown-ups all around the world into immediately reversing climate change. Now! Today! Kids need to show it to grown-ups.
When did you start writing the book?
February, 21.
How long did it take you to write it?
4 weeks.
Where did you get the idea from?
Imagine there’s another reason to reverse climate change, one which threatens to wipe out all the grown-ups in the world within a year. What would they do to save themselves? The idea came to me from watching this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdSm-OhbcQ&t=10s
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
No, I pretty much had it worked in my head.
What came easily?
Drawing attention to the injustice currently perpetrated against the children of the world, largely by indifferent adults.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I created them from observing the behaviour of adults.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
My education stopped at 14, so I was semi-literate when I started writing. So I started paying attention to how others wrote: Hemingway, Chandler, Dickens. I no longer think about that now. A story comes to me, I write it as I figure it out. That’s it.
Do you have a target reader?
I target those who don’t think about fixing climate change from this perspective. All ages, all nationalities.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I usually begin around 10 a m, write until 3, then have a think until the next morning. If I have a problem, a solution usually pops into my head when I wake up.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No, I don’t outline. It’s organic.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Both.
Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)
No.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I’ve had 2 agents, had thrillers published in a number of languages by leading publishers, received 9 film offers, was shortlist for a CWA Dagger etc…
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
By and large, agents and publishers won’t touch fictional climate change stories. I tried all the ones I know, and others.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Professionally.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Both. Facebook ads plus annoying people for reviews.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
If you’re good at DIY then go for it. Otherwise it’s a slog.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Falls Rd, Belfast.
Where do you live now?
Donegal, Ireland.
What would you like readers to know about you?
This aside, I write from the POV of villains, not those chasing villains.
What are you working on now?
A thriller.
End of Interview:
