Carrie Sellon was born in Bristol and now lives in Hampshire with her husband, three children, dog friend (Mabel), tortoise friend (Sid), chicken friends (Bluebell and Snowy) and thirty thousand bee friends (Andy, Pamela, Ellie, Mark…you get the idea). She used to travel the world making wildlife films for the BBC, but now, much like Pizza Pete, prefers hanging out at home, eating too much pizza.
Meet Carrie Sellon
Questions on Writing
What was the hardest part of writing Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions?
Pizza Pete was my debut, so I made the rookie error of editing as I went along. It took forever and I ended up cutting lots of the prose that I’d spent so long polishing. With my second book, I’ve learnt to be less of a perfectionist. To write a messy first draft then go back and edit.
What have you learnt about yourself when writing?
I’m definitely a morning person. My favourite time to write is early morning, before the children wake up. After lunch I’m much slower, and after 4pm I’m good for nothing!
Do you make yourself write everyday/regularly, or only when inspiration strikes?
I try to write most mornings, Monday to Friday, once I’ve walked the dog and fed the animals. Even if I’m not feeling inspired, I know that I can usually get into a scene, and something is better than nothing, right?
What does literary success look like to you?
Hearing directly from children that they’ve loved my book, especially if they’re reluctant readers. That’s what it’s all about.
How much planning/world building do you do before writing, and how much comes along as you write?
A bit of both. I write a structure but like to see where the wind takes me. It used to annoy me when authors talked about their characters taking them in unexpected directions but it’s true!
What was it that drew you to children’s writing?
I was a huge bookworm when I was a child. I remember getting lost in other worlds, knocking on the back of wardrobes, desperate to find Narnia. I remember rereading books for comfort, over and over again. I remember devouring Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and Dianna Wynne-Jones. Children of this age have a sense of wonder about the world. They’re full of curiosity and hope. If one child gets as lost in my book as I used to get, I’ll die happy.
How do you celebrate when a book is published?
My lovely publisher sent me a bottle of champagne when Pizza Pete came out. My husband and I had just opened it when my dog fell ill, so I spent most of the night at the vet’s, covered in dog vomit.
Questions on Books and About You
Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘on your bedside table’?
Impossible Creatures (Katherine Rundell), Eternity Engine (Struan Murray), Hag–seed (Margaret Atwood), Olive, Again (Elizabeth Strout).
What children’s book would you suggest every adult read?
The Secret Life of Adrian Mole, aged 13 ¾ (Sue Townsend). It’s a masterclass in comedy writing.
What does your writing space look like?
My grandmother-in-law’s desk, in the sitting room. It’s a mess: old coffee cups, piles of books, post-it notes constantly fluttering off the wall, but it has a lovely view of the garden and the church spire beyond.
How many books do you think you own?
Approximately 1,500. I inherited hundreds from my parents and find it very hard to get rid of any.
Who is your literary icon?
Susan Hill. I read Strange Meeting as one of our GCSE texts, then worked my way through the rest of her books. She is a prolific writer, has won tons of awards, has huge breadth (gothic fiction, fantasy, crime, children’s) and seems incredibly humble.
If you could own one rare/1st edition copy of a book, which would it be?
Charles Kingsley’s The Water-Babies, because he was my great-great-grandfather!
Is there an author who you always read?
Katherine Rundell, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, David Almond, Patrick Ness, Ann Patchett, Donna Tartt, Elizabeth Strout, Susan Hill.
And finally, are there any plans for any new books? If so, what teasers can you give us?
Pizza Pete and the Missing Magic, the second in the trilogy, is coming out in September 2024. Pete vows to never touch the potions again, until they’re stolen, and somehow he is the main suspect. Da-da-dahhhhh!
Thank you Carrie for your interesting answers😊 I can’t believe that you’re related to Charles Kingsley!
Carrie Sellon’s Books
Books By Your Bedside 