Josh and Elliot have been living in the shadows of their inner demons for far too long.
Josh McBride was the angry, emotionally avoidant one, while Elliot was the invisible, anxious, carer. When they ended up in Cruxby together and discovered their family’s history, that all had to change. Except, old habits were hard to break.
If life had dealt them a different hand, they could have reached their potential. Elliot should have been a confident performer and Josh should have been able to perform in his courses to go on to joinery school.
But this isn’t some fairy tale, and Josh can’t stay in class, let alone an exam. He believes he’s stupid and that’s all there is to it. Elliot has a chance in the talent show if his audition goes well, but the anxiousness from his past creeps in from every angle.
Will these two be able to rise above their pasts and create their own destinies, or will their demons win in the end?
Date Published: 10-24-2023
Publisher: Creative James Media
Tell us about your current release
It’s called What About You, Josh McBride? And came out in October 2023. It is the sequel to my debut novel and looks at the final year of high school for two boys – Elliot and Josh. It explores trying to achieve your dreams even if you have demons from the past to face, looking at important themes such as anxiety and dyslexia.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was in my late thirties and wanted to find a way to untangle a lot of mess in my own head. I found sitting on my bed with a notepad and pen very therapeutic. Every day, I would write for fifteen minutes or so. After a year, and to my own surprise, I had a messy first draft of a novel!
Have you published any previous books?
Yes, my first novel Are you Okay, Elliot Hart? was published in March 2022. A young adult novel that looks at the complicated lives of Elliot Hart and Josh McBride.
What can we expect to see from you in the future, any books on the backburner?
I like to write gritty stories for teenagers that explore difficult issues but give the reader a sense of hope. I’m working, very slowly, on a third young adult novel that explores grief and includes a yellow Mini called Marge!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I like to spend time with my husband and two sons, either watching movies or playing outside. We have a miniature schnauzer called Jessie who we love to take out for walks.
Did you learn anything from writing your book? What was it?
Personally, I learnt how peaceful I found writing. It gave me a precious moment of the day where it was just me and my thoughts. For my second novel, I researched what it was like to have dyslexia. This helped me a lot, not only with my story, but also through my work as a high school teacher. I feel I have further understanding of the challenges neurodiverse pupils face in the classroom.
Some writers have something playing in the background, do you and what?
I’m one of those writers that needs it to be fairly quiet when I write which can sometimes be impossible in my house. Occasionally, I have a television programme on in the background, especially if it’s one full of angst-ridden teenagers! The only other sounds I write to are children asking for snacks and a dog barking at strangers in the street!
Tell us a little about yourself. Perhaps something not many people know about?
I know all the words to Regulate by Warren G! Also, I love to dance and was given the nickname Michael Flatley at university.
What do you hope your writing brings to your readers?
I hope it allows them to feel ‘seen’ and promotes empathy. I do think empathy is the key to this world being a nicer place to live in. My debut novel really focuses on the idea that you don’t know what people are going through, so just be kind.
Kate grew up in a small town in Lancashire, England with her mum, dad and two older brothers. A bit of a tomboy, she loved nothing more than going out for adventures with her brothers, as long as she was back before dark. She studied English at Reading University and gained a teaching qualification at Manchester. Nowadays, Kate spends her days teaching English at a local high school in Cheshire and her evenings are spent writing stories close to her heart. She believes teenage years can be particularly difficult and wants to create stories that show empathy and hope for her readers. She lives with her husband, two children and Jessie, the Miniature Schnauzer.
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