Alice Westlake
Alice writes fiction for children, young adults, and really anyone who likes to revel in the magnificently endless possibilities of the English language to say something familiar in a new way. A typical English Lit post-grad, she spent many years pursuing a career in an entirely unrelated field, working for a well known charity, before deciding to get serious about writing. She has since published a children's picture story, Basil the Brave, with Walker Books. She lives in Hackney with her husband and two sons, who do an excellent job of critiquing, distracting, and motivating, in equal measure.
Find out more on her website.
- Star Sign: Cancer
- Inspirations: The books I loved as a child and as a young adult discovering English literature. The impulse to record and preserve all the little things that happen (Under Loch and Quay is based on a real holiday I took). The world around me, from the familiar landscape of city canal-side cycle rides, to the vastness of the stars.
- Favourite books: Mrs Dalloway, Emma, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Kite Runner, all the Harry Potter books.
- Favourite film: My Neighbour Totoro.
- Favourite car: My bike
- Favourite food: Oh wow. What's the word limit? Blackberry crumble. Asparagus. Home grown tomatoes. Coconut curry. Thai green curry. Mr Kipling's French Fancies.
- Favourite places: The Peloponnese and Crete. Devon, Cornwall, Glastonbury festival. My adoptive home town of Hackney, which brings me fresh inspiration for writing and hope for the human race every day.
- Favourite things: Sleeping. Drinking tea. Gardening. Lying in my hammock in the garden with a cup of tea.
- Challenge: Getting my kids to school on time.
- Thing I’ve learned: How to light a fire in the wild.
Quick bio
