| Interview with Steve
Voake |
Steve Voake, the headteacher
at Kilmersdon School near Frome has just agreed a £91,000
publishing deal for his book entitled The Dreamwalker's
Child.
The Somerset-based author was offered £130,000 for US
and UK rights, but has been advised by his agent to sell the
US rights separately at a later date. |
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Steve has also signed a £16,000
deal with an Italian publisher, and there is additional interest
from Holland, Japan, Korea, Germany and US.
And now film companies Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, Fox and
Miramax have all asked to see the book, which took the headteacher
18 months to write.
The Dreamwalker's Child is about a child who becomes
lost in a different world following an accident and how he tries
to find his way home.
| The Wee Web talk
to Steve Voake - 10th November
2003 |
The Wee Web
How much of your time is spent writing?
Steve Voake
Mainly weekends and holidays, but about 8 hours a day on free
days (I get up early!).
The Wee Web
Who is your favourite children's author and why?
Steve Voake
C.S. Lewis - I love his lyrical storytelling and willingness
to explore what it means to be human.
The Wee Web
Did you have to approach many publisher's before any interest
was shown in your book?
Steve Voake
No - I approached a literary agent who liked my work and took
me on, so I was lucky enough not to suffer the expected rejections!
He organised a very successful auction.
The Wee Web
Do you suffer from writer's block and if so do you have any
advice in how to overcome this?
Steve Voake
I do, but it is part of the process. The trick is to accept
it and keep writing anyway - it eventually disappears!
The Wee Web
Did you read a lot as a youngster and if so what books did you
read?
Steve Voake
I was an avid reader - Narnia books, Secret Seven and Tom Sawyer
was a huge favourite.
The Wee Web
Did you publish and sign contracts without any help or did you
need to involve lawyers etc?
Steve Voake
I have a terrific agent who handles that side of things on my
behalf - he more than earns his 15%!
The Wee Web
Will you carry on teaching if you become famous?
Steve Voake
I hope so - it really depends on whether the demands of being
a writer start to affect my ability to do a good job.
The Wee Web
Do you plan to write more books for children or even adults?
Steve Voake
I am currently writing a sequel to 'The Dreamwalker's Child,
but I plan to write books on other themes in the future.
The Wee Web
What do you think are the main ingredients for a good children's
story?
Steve Voake
Strong characters who the reader can identify with, exciting
/ interesting situations and an element of humour.
The Wee Web
What advice can you offer to children who enjoy writing?
Steve Voake
Keep at it - it is a wonderful thing to write for enjoyment.
If you want to develop your writing, keep a diary and record
your thoughts, fellings and decriptions of things you have seen
and experienced. Not only will it help you to develop your own
style, but it will be fascinating to look back on in years to
come!
The Wee Web would like
to thank Mr Voake for taking the time to answer our questions!
The Dreamwalker's Child,
a 265-page hardback is set to be published by faber and faber
in the Spring of 2005 with a launch party at the Natural History
Museum in London. |
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