Laura Noakes grew up in Bedfordshire in a home full of books. She loved books so much that she went to three universities after school, and graduated with a PhD in Legal History in 2021. Writing stories is her first love. She has Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, a disability that she shares with her main character, Cosima. Laura now lives in beautiful Cumbria with her husband, Connor, and their two mischievous cats, Scout & Sunny. Her debut book, Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star, was published by Harper Collins on May 25th 2023.
Meet Laura Noakes
Questions on Writing
What is the hardest part of your writing experience?
The part that I’m doing at that moment! When I’m revising, I hanker for drafting, and when I’m in the middle of a first draft all I want to do is revise.
What have you learnt about yourself when writing?
That I am stubbornly determined. Bad writing sessions happen to everyone, and sometimes it takes a lot to return to your laptop after a particularly awful writing day. But I always do return.
Do you make yourself write everyday/regularly, or only when inspiration strikes?
I write most days, and I am always thinking about stories and plot problems. If I only wrote when inspiration strikes it would take me decades to write a book!
What does literary success look like to you?
Publishing is a fickle business, so I always try to focus on things I can control. Writing the best story I can is always my number one aim, and definitly the best form of success.
How much planning/world building do you do before writing, and how much comes as you write?
I am a little chaotic as a writer, and generally start with a core concept and then see where the story takes me! However, I do a LOT of historical research in-between writing so that my Victorian setting feels real to my readers.
What drew you to children’s fiction as a genre?
Children’s fiction, and middle grade fiction in particular, are full of hope and magic. I fell in love with stories when I was a middle grade reader, and it will forever be my favourite age range both to read and write for.
How do you celebrate when a book is published?
I’ve only had one book published so far, but I celebrated by spending the whole day in my pyjamas, eating copious amounts of cake, and cuddling with my cats! It was bliss.
Questions on Books and About You
Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘on your bedside table’?
The City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak and Fablehouse by E.L. Norry. I’m halfway through both and they are fantastic!)
What children’s book would you suggest every adult read?
Journey to the River by Eva Ibbotson – it was the book that made me want to be a storyteller.
What does your writing space look like?
Like my writing process, it’s a little chaotic. Lots of different drinks – I am a beverage goblin, and generally always have a mug of tea, some water and a fun drink by my side. Lots of notebooks – mostly with indecipherable scrawls in that only make sense to me. And my trusty laptop!
How many books do you think you own?
I’m not sure of an exact number but I definitely have more books than bookshelf space. In fact, my husband almost staged an intervention when we moved house, because I had more boxes of books than boxes of belongings!
Who is your literary icon?
Katherine Rundell. I love EVERYTHING she writes.
If you could own one rare/1st edition copy of a book, which would it be?
Anne of Green Gables. It is a classic and a comfort read for me.
Is there an author who you always read?
Kiran Millwood Hargrave forever and ever. Her books are incredible, and I am so excited for the start of her new fantasy trilogy.
And finally, are there any plans for new books? If so, what teasers can you give us?
Yes! I am in the midst of writing Cosima 2 right now. I can’t say much about it, but it currently contains cake heists, a cat and a stolen painting!
Thank you Laura for your insights 😊 I definitely need to get round to writing a book if that’s how you can celebrate!
Laura Noakes’ Books
Books By Your Bedside 