Children's author Liz Pichon will be big draw

You will be able to spot Liz Pichon from a mile away when she appears at the Oxford Literary Festival on Sunday because she’ll be wearing a suit she designed herself, complete with doodles and drawings.

“Yes! I'll make a special effort to wear one of my customised outfits. I do them all myself with fabric paints, pens and badges. I've always liked making things – so this is just an extension and it shows the kids what other creative things can come from the books and reading too,” she says.

Nabbing a top spot in the Sheldonian, Liz Pichon, for all her niceness, is a force to be reckoned with in the literary world, having sold one million books in the UK alone, her Tom Gates series being translated into 36 languages and winning numerous prizes in the meantime. The books are based on the premise of Tom writing and doodling in his own schoolbooks, and his teacher Mr Fullerman writing comments in them.

But then Liz’s writing stemmed from her illustrations when she worked as a graphic artist. “I was illustrating for magazines, greeting cards, all kinds of products when publishers began asking me to illustrate other people’s books,” she explains.

“Tom started off as a picture book idea and after a few rewrites eventually turned into a book for older kids.

“The idea comes from lots of things that happened in my life and my family's life too.

“I saw my friend last week who always called her mum and dad ‘the fossils’ which I thought was hilarious.

“She knows I’ve put that in the books – but her mum and dad don’t (yet),” she giggles.

So how did Liz envisage Tom when she started writing?

“I just tried to write a book that I would have wanted to read as a kid. Tom’s a real combination of me and my own children too.

So, I didn’t aim Tom at any audience to be honest.”

Liz’s three children are now aged 24, 20 and 16, so what do they make of their mum’s success? “They’re very nice to me about the books. I like the fact my kids have seen me working very hard in my shed over the years. So they know you don't get the good stuff without putting in the hard work – even when it’s something you love doing. I always tell them to do more than is expected of them. But because it’s me saying that. No doubt they’ll ignore everything I say,” she laughs.

Does Liz have a writing routine in Brighton, where she lives? “I do now. I go and get fresh air first thing – a short run on the seafront or round the park – then I’ll meet Mark [her husband] for coffee before he has to go off. I check my emails first thing. Do a cursory bit of cup clearing and cleaning, then crack on. I don’t tend to stop for lunch and when I’m in the middle of a book I can work really late. Too late sometimes. It’s not good for your eyes.”

It’s obviously working. The Tom Gates books are being published in 30 countries worldwide. They have won loads of awards, including the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2012, the Red House Book Award 2012 and the Blue Peter Book Award 2013, which must be a sign she’s getting something right.

“I’m amazed and obviously thrilled by the reaction. You hope kids will like the books, but I have some proper fans now. It’s always nice to hear how the books have helped reluctant readers. I’ve been very lucky that lots of pieces of the jigsaw puzzle have all come together at the right time. I’m just trying to keep things going and make sure you still have as much fun creating the books, so the readers won’t get bored.”

At the Oxford Literary Festival, the 51-year-old will read part of book number seven, A Tiny Bit Lucky, as well as excerpts from other favourite adventures. She’ll also be leading fun-packed quizzes and show how to doodle just like Tom.

And after that? “The 8th Yes! No (Maybe...) is due out in May, but there could be 10 books, or maybe more. I have loads of other ideas. I have a title and a few storyline ideas, so that’s good. But I can’t say too much yet. We also have a Tom Gates album coming out, with music from the books. I’m excited about that. My husband helped write and produce the tracks, along with some great musicians. Kids will be able to learn how to play some of the songs as well. All the DOGZOMBIES tracks are written with that in mind. I’m hoping to introduce some music into my events in the future.”

How does Liz feel about Tom, with him having given her such an amazing career? She must feel very protective? “Tom’s nine, though he might have a birthday soon. I don’t have plans to make him older. I’d like him to be like Bart Simpson and stay the same age.”

As for Oxford, Liz is excited: “Oxford is such a beautiful, historic city. The events I’ve done in the past have been really good fun. So bring a pencil and paper. We’ll be drawing and doodling.”

SEE IT
Liz Pichon and Tom Gates: A Tiny Bit Lucky is on Sunday at 10am at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. Tickets are £6-£15. Age: 6+
See oxfordliteraryfestival.org