In my attempt to find a community of research-based non-fiction writers based in the UK, I came up with the idea of starting this interview series, inspired by the likes of Memoir Land’s The Lit Lab, and The Ladybird Purse’s Authors & Money.
Here is the 2nd interview of the series, featuring Poppy O’Neill.
Poppy has written more than thirty books, including series on mental health for young children - the Monster Mental Health series - and teens - No More Worries!, You’ve Got This!, Just Be You, and Stronger Than You Know - plus four non-fiction books for parents - 101 Tips to Help Your Anxious Child, Help Your Child Make Friends, Mother Power: A Feminist's Guide to Motherhood, and How to Support Your Anxious Child. Her illustrated activity book, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy, won the Children’s Book of the Year: Younger Non-Fiction award at The Week Junior Book Awards in 2023. She lives in Sussex with her wife, children and pets.
When did you realise you wanted to be a writer and what led up to that realisation? In particular, how did you clarify to yourself that you specifically wanted to write non-fiction for children, and their parents?
I’d wanted to be an author from a very young age, I made my first book at 6 and it has always been the thing I’m best at. I studied creative writing at university when I was 18 but, without a clear career path I put the idea down for 10 years.
At 29 my youngest started nursery and I joined a writing group, which led to an MA in creative writing. During the MA an opportunity came to write children’s nonfiction for a local publisher, and I grabbed that opportunity with both hands.
So, the children’s nonfiction genre came to me, rather than me seeking it out initially. It’s a fascinating and rewarding genre to write in, and after writing my first few books it was clear to me that I wanted to continue – those books were helping children and their parents, which is really the greatest motivator and privilege.
How did you find admitting to those around you that you were serious about wanting to write? How did your loved ones react if they did at all?
My decision to enrol on an MA was prompted by the expansion of student loans for postgraduate study – without this, I would not have been able to do it. Without the immediate cost involved, my partner at the time was supportive but unconvinced that I could make a good living out of writing.
I felt a sense of impostor syndrome when telling people. I think that until you have published a book, people see writing as a hobby. However, there are members of my family who have always shown interest and support in my writing, even before I’d had a book published– I’m very grateful to them.
How did you come up with the idea for your first book Don’t Worry, Be Happy? And how do your ideas come to you in general? Do you have any particular techniques you use to generate your ideas?
The concept for Don’t Worry, Be Happy came from the publisher, but I had the freedom to create something I truly believed in. My inspiration often comes from my younger self, my own children and children I meet. Put simply, I write the books that would have helped me when I was a child.
For my nonfiction mental health books, an idea begins with a certain emotion or aspect of psychology, and the challenge is to make it engaging and resonant for the age group I am writing for.
When I write fiction, I tend to go for a walk on the beach with the intention of generating ideas. I write down everything and see which ideas might have legs.
What was your path to first being published?
I met an editor at a local publishing house, who was looking for new writers. I’d had some short stories and articles published which I shared with her. She was willing to take a chance on me, and I made the most of the opportunity – we went on to work together on dozens of books.
In what ways is being a published writer different in reality to what you had imagined?
I never imagined quite how long it all takes. Not just individual books, which take an incredible amount of time, care and attention from a whole host of people before they are released into the world; but the process of building a career as an author – the highs and lows, the gradual creating of a reputation and audience.
What marketing do you usually choose to do to promote your books, if any – or have to do as part of your book deals?
Marketing and self-promotion are not my forte. I have an Instagram, website and newsletter, but they’re more points of contact with readers than for marketing. I’m lucky in that my publishers take care of this side of things, and my main involvement is when they find me opportunities to promote my books on podcasts, radio and in the press.
Do you currently make a living as a writer? If not, what do you do? How do you fit in time to write?
Currently, writing books makes up a portion of my income but not the majority. There was a period of about 3 years where I was freelancing full time and my main source of income was from writing books. Right now I have a day job as an editor 4 days a week, and the remaining weekday is my writing day.
Do you set writerly goals for yourself? And if so, what goals are you working towards just now?
I do set goals, and I’m a stickler for a deadline. I’m working towards completing a middle grade novel at the moment – my goal is to finish this draft by the end of the year.
Do you have any tips for keeping your bum in the chair and getting words on the page?
Having regular contact with someone who believes in you is the most powerful thing. My wife and my agent keep me motivated when the words aren’t flowing easily.
I also find setting my expectations for a writing session really low can help take the tension out of it. Aim to write just one sentence, or write in an app that feels lower stakes than your usual one.
Do you have any other tips for aspiring writers?
Be choosy about who you share your drafts with – pick only those who have an artist’s heart, as these are the ones who know how to handle drafts with care. Harsh critique at the wrong time can really squash creativity.
Are there any podcasts, courses, books, or anything else about writing that you’d like to recommend?
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is something I return to every few years – works like magic.
Are there any other UK-based nonfiction writers – published or otherwise – you’d like to shine a light on?
Dr Alison Buxton writes brilliant STEAM books, like The Extraordinary Book That Invents Itself.
Apart from your books, is there anything you’d like to promote at the moment?
I have a free download available on my website called ‘games to play together’.
Where is the best place for people to find you and connect with you?
On Instagram @poppyoneillbooks or via my website poppyoneill.com.