Today it's my pleasure to welcome author Katie Allen as the latest victim, I mean participant, of these Festive Fun with... features. I read and reviewed Katie's debut novel Everything Happens for a Reason earlier this year and it's one that stayed with me long after I finished reading, you can read my review here.
I live in South London with my husband, two kids, dog, cat and stick insects. My first book came out this year, Everything Happens for a Reason, published by Orenda Books. It’s loosely autobiographical and having it out in the world has been a mix of terrifying and exciting.
What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?
After last year’s lockdown Christmas, I am really hoping we can see some family and do things with friends that we tend to do every year: The pantomime in Bromley; ice-skating at Somerset House; and the Winter Wonderland Christmas market in Hyde Park. I get quite attached to doing the same things each year – the kids too.
Do you have any favourite family Christmas traditions?
My mum always served mixed Chinese starters and sparkling wine while we opened our presents mid-morning, I have no idea why she did or how it started, but doing that makes me think of her in a happy way. Both my parents died quite a while ago and Christmas makes me miss them, but it also sparks lots of happy memories of them.
What is your best Christmas memory?
My parents had an unexpected baby – I call him an accident, he calls himself a miracle – when I was eleven. I remember his first Christmas being amazing. My bigger brother, Chris, and I were so excited about this little baby (Nic) and being able to buy him toys. It felt like everyone made a massive fuss. It turned out to be the last Christmas when we were all together because Chris died the next year from a heart condition.
Describe your ideal Christmas
A dog walk, present opening, snacks non-stop, playing with any toys the kids get, Christmas dinner mid-afternoon, Christmas pudding with brandy cream in front of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, board games and more snacks in the evening.
What is your favourite festive book of all-time?
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
If you could spend Christmas with any fictional character, who would you choose and why?
I do believe he’s not actually fictional, but some people say he is… Father Christmas. Why? The flying, the elves, the reindeer, nosing inside people’s houses, mince pies and sherry… the list goes on.
Do you have any Christmas book traditions?
When our kids were small, I started this thing where I wrote them a Christmas story and put a snippet into their advent calendar each day. As they got older, they wanted something longer and so the whole thing morphed into writing chapter books with twenty-five chapters. They are a series with a main character called Bob Whitebeard. I have this vague plan to tidy them up and try and publish them one day. This year the kids are giving me a year off and I am filling the calendar with a mix of silly poems, riddles and tongue twisters.
I always buy my husband books and I make him a photobook of the year as his main Christmas gift.
What 3 books would you love Santa to have in his sack for you?
I am giving myself the special independent bookshop edition of West Camel’s Fall, out in December. I’d also love Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and (not out until March, but Santa can pop back), Anna Mazzola’s The Clockwork Girl.
What is your favourite Christmas song?
I love almost all Christmas songs. This year, I’m really enjoying an updated Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Lydia Liza and Josiah Lemanski.
What is your favourite Christmas film?
Argh. Again, love so many. We always do our wrapping to Die Hard 1 and Die Hard 2.
And finally, what are your hopes for 2022?
To get the book I am writing into better shape! For Covid rates to drop down drastically everywhere.
Quick-fire questions
Roses or Quality Street? Roses
Mince pies/Christmas cake or Yule log? Mince Pies
Turkey or ham? Turkey
Brussel sprouts or roast parsnips? Sprouts but fried not boiled
Gravy or cranberry sauce? Gravy
Fake or real Christmas tree? Real
White or coloured lights? White
Giving or receiving presents? Giving
Katie has very generously donated a signed copy of Everything Happens for a Reason as well as an audio copy as a giveaway prize which is in addition to the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways currently running.
*Terms and Conditions* – As with all giveaways on the blog the giveaway is open to existing followers. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by email and/or Twitter. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will only be shared with Katie to enable her to post the prize to you and will be deleted once receipt of the prize has been confirmed.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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