Herts &amp; Beds


<p>Harriet lives in Hitchin and is the author and illustrator of the brilliant gothic children’s book series’ <em>Isadora Moon, Mirabelle </em>and <em>Victoria Stitch</em>. Her new book, and the conclusion to the <em>Victoria Stitch</em> trilogy, <em>Dark and Sparkling</em>, is out now – in perfect time for Halloween! I caught up with her to find out more. Plus there&#8217;s a chance to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyf21IzAO8S/?hl=en-gb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">win her Victoria Stitch trilogy if you head to our insta comp here</a>! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Harriet Muncaster children's author" class="wp-image-80499" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Harriet-Muncaster-portrait.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-did-you-start-writing-and-has-it-always-been-children-s-literature">When did you start writing, and has it always been children’s literature?</h2>



<p>I guess I have <em>always</em> written, as I used to write stories for fun, even when I was really little. But I actually studied illustration for my degree. I would say it was the illustration that led me into my career and then, because I was creating picture books, the writing just naturally came with the territory. I found myself wanting to write and illustrate longer stories, like <em>Isadora Moon</em>. And then even longer with <em>Victoria Stitch</em>! It’s always been children’s literature though. I don’t think I could write anything else!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where do you find the inspiration for your characters and stories?</h2>



<p>This is the question I get asked most often and I find it the hardest to answer. I think I just kind of absorb things as I go about my daily life and then they subconsciously churn about for a while inside my head before popping out as ideas later on. I also love to write about what I am passionate about – miniatures, nature, sparkles and glitter, gothic things, stars, flowers, crystals – so will try to inject those things into my books and characters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Your simple colour palettes are really eye-catching &#8211; what was the idea behind them? </h2>



<p>Thank you! I have always just loved the colours black and pink together. It’s the dark goth vibe juxtaposed with fairy candy pink that really pleases me as they are so opposite. I love the contrast. <em>Isadora Moon</em> was created because I really wanted to do a book in black and pink. That was the thing that came first really. So, I had to think of a character that would embody both of those colours. I thought a half-vampire-half-fairy girl would be the perfect mix of the gothic black with sparkly pink.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What interests you about the gothic and how do you balance magical and spooky in your books? </h2>



<p>It’s just the gothic aesthetic that I really love. I’m actually not too into dark or horror-y stuff. I just love the striking <em>look</em> of it. I’m actually way more fairy than vampire! I think for little ones you really don’t want to go too dark and I think (hope!) that Isadora’s world feels very safe and kind. She is always trying to do the right thing and the fact that she is a magical girl is just a bonus bit of sparkle. The stories mainly focus on everyday problems that human children would come up against, such as being afraid of the dentist or friendship issues at school.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tell us a little about your latest book and the <em>Victoria Stitch</em> series?</h2>



<p>Ooh, well I am super, super passionate about my <em>Victoria Stitch</em> books! I actually created <em>Victoria Stitch</em> before <em>Isadora Moon</em>, when I was just 19. She has very much stayed with me and evolved over the years, so the character means a lot to me. I was SO happy when I was finally able to get her published in a book. <em>Victoria Stitch</em> is a wiskling and wisklings are tiny creatures, no taller than 5 inches, who are born from crystals and live in a magical place called Wiskling Wood, (basically my ideal place to live!) Many wisklings live inside hollow trees and fly around on leaves or flowers. It&#8217;s my ultimate fantasy book about a glamorous and sparkly miniature world, with a gothic streak of course. They are middle-grade books, so roughly aimed at 9-12-year-olds, although I hope people of any age will enjoy them. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Victoria-stitch-resized-667x1000.jpg" alt="Victoria Stitch dark and sparkling" class="wp-image-80502" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Victoria-stitch-resized-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Victoria-stitch-resized-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Victoria-stitch-resized-350x525.jpg 350w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Victoria-stitch-resized.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the most rewarding thing about being a children’s author?</h2>



<p>It’s just so wonderful when I hear from children or their parents about how much they have enjoyed my books. I get tagged in pictures on Instagram where children have dressed up as my characters, made a Pink Rabbit (Isadora Moon&#8217;s pet), or had an Isadora Moon birthday cake. It’s just amazing to see, and warms my heart so much. It also feels extra special and humbling when I&#8217;m told that my books have really helped a child for one reason or another. I feel SO lucky and grateful to be able to do this job.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What do you hope children will think of your new book?</h2>



<p>I hope they will be quite gripped by the new <em>Victoria Stitch.</em> It’s the darkest and most gothic of all three I think.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite local spot to find some inspiration?</h2>



<p>I love nature, so I walk on the Barton-Le-Clay Hills almost every day. I also love Pegsdon Hills. We are very lucky to live so close to these beautiful nature spots and I love seeing how they change across the seasons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Are there any local people or places who have inspired your stories?</h2>



<p>Yes! When I was at school, we were taken on an art trip to see an exhibition by local author and illustrator, James Mayhew, and his beautiful children’s illustrations spoke to me in a way that a lot of the classic fine art we had studied never had. My art teacher arranged for me to meet him and James  was very kind, giving up his time to talk to me and show me his work. Later on, when I did my MA in children’s book illustration, he was actually my tutor. He has had a huge influence on my career.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite local place for a day out?</h2>



<p>My perfect day out in Hitchin would be to go and browse the bookshops (I especially love <a href="https://nextpagebooks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Next Page Books</a>, as it&#8217;s such a lovely independent bookshop where the staff go above and beyond to help you find the perfect book), and then I would go for lunch at <a href="https://www.cafe-77.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Café 77</a> as they do the most amazing burgers, and I&#8217;d finish off with some gelato at <a href="https://www.fabgelato.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fabio’s</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was your favourite childhood book or series?</h2>



<p>I loved reading when I was a child. I remember reading <em>Mrs Pepperpot</em> a lot, because I loved her tiny adventures. I adored <em>The Borrowers</em> for the same reason – although I appreciate those books more as an adult, funnily enough. And I’ve always loved looking at the beautiful illustrations in the <em>Brambly Hedge</em> books.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Any current authors that you’re loving at the moment – for kids’ or adults?</h2>



<p>I read an amazing adult fiction book recently called <em>Star Mother</em> by Charlie N. Holmber, which blew me away as the concept was so unusual – it’s about a woman who gives birth to a star. I was fascinated by it. And there’s a picture book I discovered recently (in <a href="https://davids-bookshops.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David’s Bookshop</a> in Letchworth) called <em>Little Pea</em> which is about a miniature boy with beautiful illustrations and a great message about never being too small to make a big impact.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How will you be celebrating Halloween this year?</h2>



<p>Even though I love the gothic and spooky aesthetic (and it’s a great time of year to find sparkly bat accessories), I’ve never really celebrated Halloween. My husband loves it though, so he’ll be carving a pumpkin with our daughter and watching a spooky film.</p>



<p><strong>Harriet Muncaster will be doing a reading and book signing, with spooky crafts at The British Schools Museum in Hitchin on 14 October. <a href="https://britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk/discover/whats-on/harriet-muncaster-author-talk-signing/harriet-muncaster-author-talk-signing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find out more and book here. </a></strong></p>


Muddy Meets: Hitchin children’s author, Harriet Muncaster

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