Jennifer Killick on being a World Book Day author

We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Killick, Queen of Middle Grade horror to the blog today to chat about having a World Book Day title!

 

When my editor called to tell me that my story, ‘Creepy Creations’ had been chosen as a World Book Day 2024 title, I honestly couldn’t believe it. I used to work as a bookseller, and I spent many a quiet moment gazing at the World Book Day display stand, stacked with those glorious £1 mini books, wondering how it would feel to see one of my stories among them. I never dreamed it would actually happen, and I am so honoured and grateful to be joining the ranks of incredible authors and illustrators who came before me, and the ones who will come after me, in having their work available to hundreds of thousands of children across the country who might not own any other book.

I’m especially happy that my World Book Day title is set in the world of my Dread Wood series, a horror-comedy adventure that began as an idea inspired by the classic movies ‘Tremors’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’ and has grown far bigger than I ever imagined. I often talk about the power of reading to encourage and support us through our lives – to help us to find our courage and to make us feel less lonely. And I have found that creating the ‘Dread Wood’ stories has had the same kind of impact on me. Writing this series has been the great joy of my career so far, and with the fifth book, ‘Fright Bite’, published in January, I have spent so much time with Angelo, Hallie, Gustav, Naira, and Colette that they’ve become a huge part of my life. I love them like family, and have relied on them to cheer me up, to provide comfort, and to give me hope through some challenging times. Together we have fought a horde of terrifying monsters and horrible people; we’ve battled our own insecurities and regrets; and we’ve flinched, cried and laughed together more times than I can count.

Having one of their adventures selected as a World Book Day book means I get to share them with a bigger audience, who I hope will love them as much as I do. It’s such a privilege, and an achievement that I will always be proud of. If Club Loser make even one reader cry with laughter, or whoop in delight at emerging triumphant from an epic battle, or feel like they’ve had the best time with a brilliant group of friends, then I will feel like I’ve done my job as a World Book Day author.