The Thirteen Secrets

About Michelle Harrison

Michelle Harrison Michelle Harrison grew up in Essex and is the youngest of three sisters. She has a son Jack and three cats: Marmite, Sorsha and Widdershins. Her first novel, The Thirteen Treasures, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She also won the Calderdale Book of the Year Award for The Other Alice. Her work has been translated into over 20 languages. 

Before she was published, Michelle’s jobs included working in a bar, a bakery, and an art gallery. She was then a Waterstones bookseller before becoming an editorial assistant in children’s books at a publisher in Oxford. She now writes full time and lives in Essex with her family.

Q&A with Michelle Harrison

Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
    A. I'm a 'glass half-full' type of person.

Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
    A. Elvesden Manor.

Q. What’s your best quality?
    A. Optimism, or at least I like to think it is!

Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
    A. I sometimes think I'd like to be a cat, just for the sheer amount of sleeping they do.

Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
    A. My Essex accent.

Q. Who is your favourite fictional villain?
    A. Beatrice Lacey in Wideacre by Philippa Gregory.

Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
    A. It would be Jack the Ripper. I like to think I'd demand to know his identity, but in all honesty I'd probably run.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
    A. People who look down their noses at others.

Q. What is your favourite occupation, when you’re not writing?
    A. It depends on my mood, but drawing/painting, reading or watching a film.

Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
    A. Being an author and an illustrator!

Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
    A. Loyalty, a sense of humour, and integrity.

On Books and Writing

Favourite authors
Hans Christian Andersen, Enid Blyton, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Martina Cole, Roald Dahl, Philippa Gregory, The Brothers Grimm, Julie Hearn, Eva Ibbotson, Christopher Pike, J.K. Rowling, Marcus Sedgwick, Sarah Singleton.

Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?

    A. Read lots, write lots, and don't give up.