Mummy Fairy and Me: Mermaid Magic

About Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella (1969-2025) was an international bestselling writer. She was the author of many number one bestsellers, including the hugely popular Shopaholic series. She has wrote seven bestselling novels as Madeleine Wickham.

A Q&A with Sophie about her novel, Finding Audrey

Why did you decide to write a YA novel?

I had in my head three characters: Audrey, a teenage girl with social anxiety; Frank, a teenage boy with a computer game obsession; and Anne, their mother, trying to control and support her family as best she can. I wanted to write a book with both pathos and comedy. As I started to tell Audrey's story, it became apparent that I was telling a story which would appeal to young adults, and it turned into a young adult book. However, I think of it also as a book for anyone who has suffered from anxiety or bullying, played computer games, had a child who plays too many computer games . . . or just lived in a family! 

How did you come up with the character of Audrey?

Creating Audrey was one of those flashes of inspiration. As soon as I started to think about her, she seemed fully formed. I could see her and hear her and was desperate to write about her. She suffers from social anxiety, a condition I know about, but she also has a positive, quirky worldview and a great sense of humor. I'm very familiar with teenagers, having two of my own — but most importantly, I remember being a teenager myself. 

What do you hope readers take away from the book? 

I hope readers laugh and are touched and most of all are inspired by Audrey's journey. She is so brave and good-humored, and her story is a positive one. I hope that anyone suffering from anxiety, bullying, or even just teenage woes can take heart from her. I also hope the book entertains parents of teens. I think they'll read it in quite a different way!