My father was particularly proud of his heritage and he often told us that one day we would hire a Jeep and drive cross-country all the way back to India. Once we were there we would travel to the most wonderful places. He wanted to show us what an amazing country India was, full of impressive locations, untold histories and wild-life beyond our dreams. Our imaginations were fired and we couldn’t wait to load up and set- off on this adventure! Even though we didn’t physically take this trip, I’d like to think that in writing the book I made my father’s dream come true. I never found a book like India, Incredible India in the library when I was growing up, so I’m so proud to have created it. It’s like a gift to my younger self. It’s the sort of book I would have spent hours poring over with my siblings and I hope readers will dive head-first into it as if they are actually living the journey. India is a country full of surprising, phenomenal facts and throughout I wanted to celebrate its incredible diversity, resilience and ambition. The final spread


is a return to my mother’s home Moranwali – village of the Peacocks, a fitting end to a book inspired by the power of family and heritage and a celebration of the wonders India has to offer.


In India, Incredible India you revisit the idea of powerful female figures from all walks of life who have had an impact on the country and globally. How was that experience of researching these women and writing their stories? When you are sharing these stories, do you feel the positive, inspiring impact it will have on young readers?


It was an absolute a privilege to include so many incredibly powerful, clever and determined female stories within this book. All of these women have fought against inequalities and what society expects of them and risen to achieve their childhood dreams.


They haven’t taken no for an answer, they didn’t listen to the voices that might have said they couldn’t become a physicist for example, or a top tennis player, or be the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest. India is one of the few world countries to have had a female prime minister,


so it really is in its DNA to have strong women pushing for change and key positions both within the country and globally. I think readers are going to be hugely inspired to find out about these powerful women and see them as role models. I also hope reading about them will encourage girls to aim for the stars, the planets and the universe – their achievements can be limitless too.


What else are you working on and what can we expect to see next? This year has been phenomenally busy and I’ve been so lucky to be involved in lots of exciting new projects. My next middle grade story publishes with Chicken House in February 2023 – it’s another magical adventure set in my home-town, Nottingham which I can’t wait to share with readers. I’m thrilled to have a book coming July 2023 with Barrington Stoke with an eco theme, and you can also expect a Dr Who story and a horror story. Phew! PEN&INC.


India, Incredible India (978 140639 5426), published by Walker Books is available in all good bookshops from 6 October and at https://uk.bookshop.org/books/ india-incredible-india/9781406395426.


Jhalak Award Shortlisted


Yoto Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Awards Nominated


“Brilliantly assured” – Guardian


“It’s doubtful there could be a more authentic teenage voice than that of Kadie in The Sound of Everything” – F T


“Outstanding” – Patrice Lawrence


“Fizzing with energy and purpose”


– Lisa Williamson


Betrayal, rejection, violence, Kadie has known it all. She’s tough and prepared for everything. Everything except love. The first step in changing the world is to change yourself – can Kadie do it?


The YA debut of the year – brave, unflinching but heart-warming.


“A precious talent” – Alex Wheatle


Autumn-Winter 2022


Paperback £8.99 Everything with Words


www.everythingwithwords.com PEN&INC. 21


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