Interviews with people who inspire me #Susan Day
Today, I'm excited to be interviewing the amazing Susan Day! We'll be covering important topics like vegetables, farts, and motorbikes! Plus some other stuff too.
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Introducing Susan Day.
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Do you like broccoli?
Nobody in their right mind likes broccoli, well except broccoli farmers – I imagine they are quite fond of it. To me, broccoli is a sham, a joke, and yes I may say, “A false vegetable.” After years of trying to convince my children that they should eat it, I have come to the conclusion that they were right – it simply tastes yuck!
Tell us about your new magazine, Enthralled.
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Well, where should I start? One thing I am constantly disappointed with in the publishing world is the way authors treat each other. There is a level of passive arrogance and snobbery.
Enthralled Magazine was created to welcome and embrace everyone who loves to write or feels they need to, regardless of their ability to spell or notice passive voice. What many self-published authors forget is that not everyone had a private school education, and that many authors published by traditional houses have their work edited profusely by others while they swan around pretending they are grammar geniuses. |
I wanted to put something together that was super (or should I say “uber”) cool and snazzy; something authors and writers would love and want to be part of, and be proud to contribute to.
I also want to make enthralled magazine free for forever and create a warm, fun and interesting platform for all authors regardless of their experiences. Reading enthralled magazine is a like a being at a party at a very smart café where it’s okay to say you don’t like sushi and prefer full-cream milk – that sort of place.
I also want to make enthralled magazine free for forever and create a warm, fun and interesting platform for all authors regardless of their experiences. Reading enthralled magazine is a like a being at a party at a very smart café where it’s okay to say you don’t like sushi and prefer full-cream milk – that sort of place.
For parents and grandparents of middle grade readers can you share a little about Astros Adventures Book Club?
As a children’s author I have always found it difficult to get my books noticed and read. Many authors and readers don’t take children’s literature as seriously as they should. They think it is easy or simply “dumb”.
If you have ever watched “The Simpsons” on TV you’ll know that as a children’s cartoon it works on many levels. A great children’s book can do the same. Astro’s Book Club is a platform was developed the diverse range of children’s books, and showcase them to grandparents.
I showcase other author’s books for free, and give advice to grandparents (and parents if they take a sneaky peek) on how to get the children in their lives to fall in love with reading – it’s important stuff.
If you have ever watched “The Simpsons” on TV you’ll know that as a children’s cartoon it works on many levels. A great children’s book can do the same. Astro’s Book Club is a platform was developed the diverse range of children’s books, and showcase them to grandparents.
I showcase other author’s books for free, and give advice to grandparents (and parents if they take a sneaky peek) on how to get the children in their lives to fall in love with reading – it’s important stuff.
In honour of librarians everywhere, please tell us about one fond library or librarian based memory?
I have to admit I am a little bit frightened of librarians. It’s not that they are crazy or mean, but in truth they can be so demanding. The nicest librarian I knew, and I have known quite a few, taught me how to cover books with thick clear plastic – what a useful skill that was.
And, if you could tell all the librarians in the world one thing what would it be?
My message to librarians? Hmmm, “Look at all those books. They were all put together using only 26 letters – just 26!” That fact kinda blows my mind.
I’d also like to speak out for the ampersand at this point. It used to be a letter of the alphabet, the 27th, and I feel that someone needs to celebrate it. It’s cool to look at, and fun to draw once you get the knack. So, yes my suggestion to librarians is to have a minute’s silence to for ampersand every now and then – coz letters have feelings too, you know.
I’d also like to speak out for the ampersand at this point. It used to be a letter of the alphabet, the 27th, and I feel that someone needs to celebrate it. It’s cool to look at, and fun to draw once you get the knack. So, yes my suggestion to librarians is to have a minute’s silence to for ampersand every now and then – coz letters have feelings too, you know.
Which of your books did you enjoy creating illustrations for the most?
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Dogs in Space, definitely. It is the 8th book in the Astro’s Adventures series and I seemed to find my mojo at that point. I really caught the moment when Alfie farted and turned the spaceship away from the sun around really well. Oh, and when Furball, the kitten, is learning to weld for the first time – it was magical.
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What advice do you have for children who want to be authors or illustrators when they grow up?Do it, and do it again. There can never be enough books in the world, and everyone has at least 10 good stories in them (I say “bah” to those who say just one.) Children should look at their favourite authors and illustrators and understand that they can do something just as brilliant, and fun. |
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Can you share a little with us about someone or something that has inspired you in the past?
Ordinary people inspire me more than successful ones. I think this is because I love to hear the story of the battler and how some people quietly change their world by just being in it, by doing good stuff, and by being funny. You have to be funny or else their adventures can be too dire!
I loved the quiet brilliance of Beatrix Potter, and I still quote Spike Milligan poems whenever the occasion requires.
I loved the quiet brilliance of Beatrix Potter, and I still quote Spike Milligan poems whenever the occasion requires.
Finally, can grandmothers ride motorbikes? And what’s the best thing about being a grandparent?
Anyone can ride motorbikes, as long as they are cool – like Fonzy. I rode motorbikes for years and still cling to my ‘bike’ license like an octopus at an eight-legged sock sale. Although I am not sure if I could still stay upright, I like to recall the days when I wore full leather, flying boots, and had a skeleton with its right leg missing dangling from my left ear and a Harley from my right – oh, they were the days.
They say the best thing about being a grandparent is giving them back, but that’s not true. When your children leave you they take a little bit of your heart, when your grandchildren leave they take a big hunk – it’s any wonder there’s any left for the dogs and Furball!
Grandchildren are proof that the world is good; that the sun rises for a reason; and they give you the best excuse to behave like a child, just like them. I have always believed that adulthood gets in the way of having fun.
When my grandchildren visit it is a time for adventures, naps (me mainly), and more adventures; cakes and milkshakes – vegetables are optional (especially broccoli – arrgghhh!).
They say the best thing about being a grandparent is giving them back, but that’s not true. When your children leave you they take a little bit of your heart, when your grandchildren leave they take a big hunk – it’s any wonder there’s any left for the dogs and Furball!
Grandchildren are proof that the world is good; that the sun rises for a reason; and they give you the best excuse to behave like a child, just like them. I have always believed that adulthood gets in the way of having fun.
When my grandchildren visit it is a time for adventures, naps (me mainly), and more adventures; cakes and milkshakes – vegetables are optional (especially broccoli – arrgghhh!).
Thank you, very much for your time, Susan. It’s been an honour to speak with you.
Twas my pleasure. Thank you for letting me ramble – I’m off to see if I can find that skeleton earring. You never know when something like that might be useful.
Check out the links below if you’d like to find out more about the incredible Susan Day and her work.
Comments:
Maria Parenti-Baldey:
How fabulous for the opportunity to meet Susan Day. So caring and passionate about encouraging and instilling in children a love of reading. And supporting authors who want the same. Great interview.
How fabulous for the opportunity to meet Susan Day. So caring and passionate about encouraging and instilling in children a love of reading. And supporting authors who want the same. Great interview.
Megan Higginson:
Fab interview, RJ. I love Susan's generous spirit.
Fab interview, RJ. I love Susan's generous spirit.
Debra Tidball:
Thanks for the interesting interview! Good to know a bit more about Susan who is so supportive of others. Congrats on Enthralled Mag.
Thanks for the interesting interview! Good to know a bit more about Susan who is so supportive of others. Congrats on Enthralled Mag.
