The Primary Times Big Interview 

We talk to FE (Fiona) Higgins, first time author and mum of a four year old daughter about writing and how she became “a rising star” of children’s literature.

For children’s author FE Higgins, her dream of becoming a published author has come true with a vengeance.   Not only has her first book, “The Black Book of Secrets” been published to great acclaim (The Sunday Times chose it as their book of the week and described it as “a piece of perfectly constructed, old-fashioned storytelling of the most compelling kind.”), but she has a two book deal with a second book due out next year and is negotiating with her publishers about a further book deal.   “The Black Book of Secrets” has been nominated for the prestigious Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize.

Talking to Fiona, it became apparent that it didn’t all happen just like that.   It had always been a dream to write a book and have it published but Fiona trained as a teacher and taught in Primary Schools in London until the year 2000.   Other jobs including starting a home internet business followed but she eventually knew that if she was ever to realise her dream she would have to go for it full time.   Fiona had a number of shorter stories published and produced several full length books “each better than the previous one” which didn’t get published.   At last came “The Black Book of Secrets” and a good agent, lots of good feedback from publishers and eventually a two-book deal from Pan MacMillan.  

Even then, it can take a year or more from acceptance to publication and it was great news when the publication date was brought forward to January.   Fiona says it’s a really good feeling to have the book actually out on the shelves and available for everyone to read.   Friends and family have been really enthusiastic but even more important, so have the critics.   The early release date also meant that the book was eligible for nomination for the Waterstone’s Prize short list.

Even without a second job, we suggested it must have been hard to write around a young child (especially one who as Fiona pointed out didn’t believe in napping during the day).   Fiona gave credit to some excellent childcare and a great local school but it’s apparent that there’s a lot of dedication there too to avoid all the distractions which must make writing at home on your own so hard.   Fiona told us it’s particularly dangerous to open her e-mails before the day’s writing has been done!  Coffee break is at 10 which was when we managed to catch a few minutes of her time!

So what’s next?   Fiona’s next book, a 'paraquel' to the first – “The Bone Magician” is in the final editing stage and should be out early next year, the paper back of “The Black Book of Secrets” is due out in time for Christmas and while she’s not telling us much about it, we suspect there are several ideas going round Fiona’s head ready for her next book

“The Black Book of Secrets” is published by Pan MacMillan Children’s Books at £8.99.