Meet our speakers: Rhoda Baxter
Find out about Rhoda Baxter, who will be joining our BookTrust Represents training day in Bradford.
Rhoda Baxter, a writer and a member of the Society of Authors, will be joining us at our Bradford event to discuss funding opportunities for creatives.
Getting to know Rhoda
Who was your favourite author and/or illustrator when you were growing up and why?
I grew up reading Enid Blyton. I loved the spirit of adventure and positivity in those books.
Who are your favourite children's authors and/or illustrators now and why?
Since having children, I've read a lot of Julia Donaldson and I love the poetry of them (I also love Axel Scheffler's illustrations). I also love the Artemis Fowl books and Harry Potter. I guess I'm still into adventure and magic!
What advice would you give to a new author and/or illustrator that you wish you had been given?
Get out there and meet people (even if only virtually). There is an amazing community of writers and readers out there. You don't have to do this alone any more.
What has been your career high so far as an author/illustrator?
I'm a romance writer, so having a novel shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year was a highlight.
What are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading an advance copy of The Love Solution by Ashley Croft. It's a romance set in a science lab, so it's right up my street.
Who or what inspires your work?
I get inspiration from all over the place. I'll often be watching something on TV and think, 'What if...' or, 'I wonder how that minor character feels about this' and it'll spark ideas from there.
Why are you supporting BookTrust Represents?
I'm British-Asian. I grew up reading books about white people. It was very rare to see a brown kid in a book and when there was one, the story was usually highlighting their 'otherness'. Books can be mirrors or windows. I had plenty of windows, rarely a mirror. I want my kids - or any kid - regardless of ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or class to be able to find a book they can call a mirror. For that to happen, we need more books from marginalised groups to be written and submitted and fought for.
More about Rhoda
Rhoda Baxter writes romantic comedies about smart women and nice guys who love them. She also writes multicultural women's fiction under the name Jeevani Charika. Her books have been shortlisted for various awards. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and is currently chair of the SoA Author's North event committee. microbiologist by training, Rhoda loves all things science geeky. She also loves cake, crochet and playing with Lego.
