An English Boy in New York

About T. S. Easton

T. S. Easton is an experienced author of fiction for all ages and has had more than a dozen books published. He has written under a number of different pseudonyms in a variety of genres. Subjects include vampires, pirates, pandemics and teenage agony aunts (not all in the same book).

He lives in Surrey with his wife and three children and in his spare time works as a Production Manager for Hachette Children's Books.

A Q&A with the author
What inspires your writing?
I always try to write what I would like to read. Or at least what I would have liked to have read when I was a teenager. It's a mistake for an author to try and write what's in vogue, to try and guess what other people might like to read. If you wouldn't consider buying the book you've just written, then you shouldn't expect anyone else will either.

What has been the most exciting moment of your career so far?
When I heard that Boys Don't Knit is going to be published in the US by Macmillan. Though heaven knows how we're going to translate some of the slang in the book. As my agent said when she found out, “Good luck contextualising ‘bellend.’”

How did you first become an author?
I had some time on my hands. I'd broken up with a long-term girlfriend and I just sat down and started writing about how I felt. I ended up writing a book that was the first of many, many unpublished books, each one slightly better than the last (I think). After writing about 678 unpublished novels I finally found an editor willing to take a chance on me.

What are you reading right now?
Nothing. I'm too busy writing the sequel to Boys Don't Knit. I recently finished SHIFT by Hugh Howey, the second book of the Wool trilogy. WOOL was originally self-published. I find the books completely gripping.

What was your earliest career aspiration?
According to family folklore, as a child I wanted to be a dog, then an orange, then a vicar, and finally a traffic warden. Later I wanted to be an author but never believed that it was actually something I really could do. I work with children's books in my day job too, which is wonderful, I just sort of fell into it, and I can't think of anything I'd rather do more than make great books for kids. Though I haven't entirely given up the idea of being a dog.

What advice would you give to budding writers?
Writing is a skill, it's a job, it's a pleasure and it's a chore. Sometimes it's simply hard work and it feels like you have to drag every sentence up from the depths of your belly. Other times you know exactly what to say and your fingers can hardly keep up with the characters dancing in your head. Either way, just keep going. That's all. Just keep going.

What was your favourite childhood book?
That's a tough one. I'd probably have to say THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Not very original, but truthful.

Where is your favourite place to write?
It's going to sound weird, but I write on the train. It's the only place I get peace and quiet and time to myself. I have a full-time job and three small children!

How do you read- print, digitally or both?
Only print. I'm not averse to eBooks and completely get why some people prefer them, but I don't really see the advantage for me in paying good money to buy a reader, then buying a book to read on it. Why not just buy the book?

Who do you most admire?
My wife. Because I see how hard she works, and how much she gives to my family.

Are there any books you wish you had written?
THE BAROQUE CYCLE by Neal Stephenson. He's not to everyone's taste but I find his books astonishing. Detailed, rich, intelligent, funny, with brilliant characterisation and a driving narrative.