1) So, you studied history here in York, a city which is famous for its past. Do you have a favourite gruesome fact about the city?
When I was here my research was on Victorian newspapers looking at the Cholera outbreak in 1832, but I’m also really interested in the Vikings. There was a battle here in 876 AD and allegedly the Vikings captured the king of their enemies, called Aella. They tortured him for hours and did a Blood Eagle on him, which involved pulling the victim’s lungs out through his ribs so they look like wings.
2) Horrible History or Horrible Science?
Well, I write Horrible Science so I’d have to go with that.
3) What do you do to relax, when you’re not thinking up gruesome science facts?
I like walking and I spend a lot of time chasing my cat around the garden. I’m not sure what else I do…work is relaxation for me. There’s always something to do every day.
4) Would you say you’re a perfectionist?
I don’t know if I’d say that…I have very high standards. If my work is going to be published, it has to be of a good enough quality.
5) You’ve sold over 15 million copies of Horrible Science books. Do you feel the pressure of such popularity when you sit down to write something new?
Yes, I suppose I do. It doesn’t matter though if 15 million people are reading my books, or just 15. I want them to be the best that they can be. If someone’s taking the time and money to publish them, then I want them to be worthwhile.
6) What are the ingredients of a Horrible Science book?
Well, as obvious as it sounds, you need science! Then, add a measure of horror and a drop of humour.
7) What happens if you get the balance wrong?
If you get it wrong…say you add too much horror…then it will be too disturbing for children to read. Similarly, you need to get the measurement of comedy right. Get the balance right and there you have it, a Horrible Science book.
8) Comedy is said to be harder to write than tragedy. How do you know what’s funny and what’s not?
I think anything can be funny if it’s presented in the right way. I would like to turn your question on its head and say that tragedy is harder to write. I’ve never had a problem being funny. People just seem to always fall about laughing when I’m speaking, usually about something serious. I don’t overthink it, but just try to write as I speak.
9) Books or E-Books?
I think a lot of people, especially writers are suspicious of e-books, but I’m not in the least. I think as long as there are human beings, there will be a need for written communication, be that printed or digital. I think what e-books offer is something more visual and interactive. That’s something that is an important factor in the books I write and indeed, my books will be coming out in e-versions soon.
10) The CBBC show of Horrible Histories has done extremely well. Can we expect a Horrible Science TV show any time soon?
You’ll have to ask the BBC! I very much hope I’d be involved if it does get made. There have been lots of attempts at horrible style books and TV programmes and a lot of people get the horrible approach wrong. The Horrible Histories show is really great, so yes…I would love to do that with science.
11) You founded the Appledore Book Festival – was that a life ambition or something that happened by chance?
Do you want the long answer or the short one? It wasn’t planned. My wife and I started a campaign to save our local library from closing and as part of our campaign we promised to set up a book festival that would bring thousands, if not millions into the local economy. The library was saved and soon they called our bluff, phoning me up and saying “what about this book festival?” The first time, we ran it with local volunteers, but it was a bit like a monster that got bigger and bigger. Now I’m too busy to be involved, but I’m very proud of it.
12) History or Science?
I’m passionate about them both. I studied history but I write about science. It’s a choice I’d hope never to make, but…I suppose as humanity we can live without history. We can’t live without science.
13) Do you ever get funny feedback from the children who read your books?
I get a lot of emails through my website from children who tell me what they’ve been reading, or suggest topics that they want me to write about. I also get lots of photos of kids doing the experiments I write about in my books. Mostly, I go around school events with a notebook thinking “Oo, that’s a good idea!”
14) Out of all your books, which is your personal favourite and why?
I think to have a favourite would imply that I also have least favourite and honestly, if I thought one or more of my books were of a lesser quality, I’d make myself very unpopular with the publishers and re-write them. I have very high standards.
15) Your books are educational and thousands of children learn from them. Are you daunted by that responsibility?
Not at all. I’m very proud. Horrible Science were first published 16 years ago now and I’m starting to get emails from graduates and undergraduate who say that they wouldn’t be doing what they are doing now if my books hadn’t first impassioned them about science…I’m very proud of that.
16) What advice would you give to any aspiring children’s writers?
Firstly, I would say re-read children’s books. It sounds obvious, but you can’t expect to come to writing if the last time you read a children’s book you were a child yourself. Secondly, I would say know what you like to write about and write about what you know. And lastly…do it for the satisfaction…the money is a bonus.
17) Who is your favourite children’s author?
I get asked that a lot, especially by children who think I’m just like them. The truth is I’ve lived for a long time and my favourites are always changing depending on what I’m reading. I must have read thousands of authors. I read fiction and non-fiction alike. I just love to read and I encourage children to read anything and everything.
18) What’s your favourite gruesome science fact?
There are so many… can I use toilet humour? When you flush the toilet, the vortex of water throws off a fine mist of tiny microscopic germs, like little monsters. They can settle on things in the room, like your toothbrush. I’m constantly getting emails from parents saying that after reading my books, their children haven’t brushed their teeth in weeks!
19) Would you consider writing comedy for adults?
Sure, if someone paid me to.
20) What’s your favourite science topic to write on?
I like all science. I suppose human biology, the body, is easiest to write on because there are so many disgusting facts.
Seems like a lovely guy :)