BLOG TOUR KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT AUG3RD

BLOG TOUR FOR KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT. 

I was thrilled to interview Gabrielle about her new middle grade book, Knights and Bikes. Read about her book and her life as an author below.

Can you describe your book Knights and Bikes in once sentence.

An action packed adventure set in the 1980s following two bike-riding, fun loving heroines and a pet goose as they search for the fabled treasure of the Penfurzy knights as a curse creeps across the island.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was asked to write this book to tie in with the videogame. I decided to do it because the characters are all brilliant and so much fun to write.

What is your favourite part of the book?

The first chapter when Nessa meets Demelza and Captain Honkers. It also involves a very gross handshake that I'm proud of.

What character do you most relate to?

I'd love to be as cool as Nessa, but I very much relate to Demelza. I was a socially awkward, comics reading, videogame playing, art loving kid who was always putting my foot in my mouth and charging headfirst into potential adventures without thinking. I didn't have a pet goose, but I was often chased by the geese on my granny's farm.

Are you working on your next book? Can we have a sneaky clue to what's it about?

I'm working on a book featuring a British Asian Girl and her Mauritian grandma who follow a treasure trail to solve a mystery in an attempt to win a very valuable prize.

As a professional writer what has most surprised you that you didn't expect?

Fan letters! It's so strange and utterly lovely to hear how much someone loves the characters and worlds you have created.

What's a typical writing day for you?

I haven't had a whole day to write since my daughter was born. I can only write when she is sleeping, so I squeeze it in between feeding and cleaning her, playing games, singing silly songs and chasing her around the living room trying to put a nappy on her.

Who is your favourite literary hero or heroine?

Granny Weatherwax from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series – an incredibly powerful and stubborn witch.

Which is your favourite bookshop?

The Book Corner in Saltburn. It's a lovely little shop with a very friendly owner and in close proximity to excellent fish and chips.

Your favourite quote?

"The space between the young readers' eyeballs and the printed page is a holy place, and officialdom should trample all over it at their peril." Sir Terry Pratchett

MANY THANKS TO GABRIELLE FOR HER FASCINATING INTERVIEW. FIND MORE INFO ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND BOOK ON TWITTER @_KnightsOf @GabrielleKent and #KnightsandBikes 

KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT

CHILDREN 9+

Knights and Bikes is based on the video game of the same name. Set on a Cornish island in the 1980’s, Knights and Bikes follows the story of new best friends Demelza and Nessa as they explore the island on their trusty two wheeled steeds to uncover the cursed treasure of the Penfurzy Knights.