Helen and I both got very excited when we heard about Jane Beaton's debut novel, Class. I'll be reviewing it soon (maybe even tomorrow...), but in the meantime, here's an interview with Jane (her FIRST interview, in fact!). No photo though; she must be shy.
Oh and make sure you read right to the end, where there's a chance to win one of five copies of Class.
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
Class is an updated, romantic, teachers-eye view Malory Towers-esque boarding school book for grown ups.
I say hyphens count as one word!
Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?
In a small corner of my bedroom.
I've adored the Shopaholic Books, I Don't Know How She Does it, Jilly Cooper of course; One Hit Wonder and I like Mil Millington although he'd probably object to the description. [Don't worry, Jane, I made him an honorary chick litter ages ago! - Keris]
Well, I'd like to be Thursday Next from the Jasper fforde books- the literary detective who gets to jump in and out of books at will. How great would that be?
Well, I don't know that I'd be any use at giving advice, but I just wrote the book I really really wanted to read and couldn't find anywhere - it felt like a guilty secret that even though I'd gone to a really normal school, I'd read every boarding school book I could get my hands on and dreamt about it all the time!
I have just finished The Suspicions of Mr Wicher by Kate Summerscale, which was wonderful; Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella- as usual, brilliant; and I'm currently enjoying Being Emily by Anne Donovan..
I'm writing the second in the Class series - I'm hoping there will be six eventually! - and really enjoying it.
Oh, Wuthering Heights. Does everyone say that?
Well,
this is my first interview, so I suppose anything! I suppose people
would want to know if I actually did my research at a real boarding
school, and I would have to say no - I did my research reading Enid
Blyton, Elinor Brent-Dyer, Susan Coolidge, Antonia White, JK Rowling,
and Charlotte Bronte!
Thanks, Jane!
To be in with a chance of winning one of five copies of Class, please email your name and address to editor@trashionista.com before midnight GMT on the 25th September. UK only, I'm afraid. Good luck.
