Rosie Talbot: 'I like my worlds tightly woven so that a reader is never wondering "why?" without an answer being offered'
BY Katie Smart
13th Sep 2022
Rosie Talbot was a student on our six-month Writing Your Novel course in 2019. Her debut YA novel Sixteen Souls became popular on TikTok (generating more than 250,000 views) and garnered the attention of publisher Yasmin Morrissey at Scholastic. Rosie now has a two-book deal with Scholastic, and Sixteen Souls was published 13 Oct 2022.
We caught up with Rosie to find out more about the inspiration behind her supernatural debut and talk all things BookTok and Bookstagram.
You studied on our six-month Writing Your Novel course in 2019. How did your time studying with us impact your approach to writing?
Before joining CBC I was writing in isolation, trying to teach myself the fundamentals that make up fiction writing. With no one to offer guidance or give feedback it was a very slow process. Curtis Brown Creative offered everything I needed – excellent teaching, support, and insider industry knowledge – meaning I came out with more chapters written in six months than I’d ever managed alone, and a much deeper understanding of what I wanted as an author. I have no doubt it was the turning point in my career, especially as most of my debut novel was written on the course!
Many of our students form writing support groups. Are you still in touch with any of your course mates?
I am! Everyone got on really well, so when the course ended we decided to keep the feedback sessions going. We meet up as often as we can and have a lively WhatsApp group where we share publishing news, our life updates, writing questions, book recommendations and lots of pictures of cats.
As well as writing, you’re a Waterstones bookseller and book reviewer on Instagram and TikTok – in your videos you talk enthusiastically about writing and reading particularly YA fiction, supernatural stories and LGBTQIA+ representation. What is it that gets you excited to recommend a story?
Some books just have a spark, but that spark is different for everyone. For me, I love anything with stand-out, atmospheric prose, well written queer representation and a tightly woven narrative. If there are witches and or ghosts, I will buy it. I also love contemporary fantasy settings, literary fiction that hints towards the speculative, and upbeat coming-of-age YA romances. No matter the genre or target age, give me a well foreshadowed plot twist that I still don’t see coming, and books with lots of diversity. That said, when it comes to recommending books it’s no longer about me and my taste, it’s about the reader and what’s going to be a five-star read for them. The bookseller in me lives for helping readers find something that resonates with them.
What are some recent books you’ve enjoyed reading?
I’ve recently finished and adored The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi, an African and Arabian inspired Sapphic high fantasy with morally complex characters and a low burn romance. I love ‘voicy’ YA fiction and The Many Half Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor has one of the most powerful and unique voices I’ve read in a long time. I’m also currently reading Big Bad Me by Aislinn O’Loughlin, a fast-paced, quirky supernatural YA packed with werewolves and vampires. It’s very good fun!
Your debut novel Sixteen Souls was spotted by publisher Yasmin Morrissey at Scholastic after generating more than 250,000 TikTok views. Do you have any tips for writers who want to delve into the world of Bookstagram and BookTok but don’t know where to start?
Just start – today! It can take years to build up a platform so start now, even if you don’t intend to publish for a while. Tiktok is the more dynamic platform at the moment, but if you create reels you can also do very well on Instagram. Online book communities are wonderful. They’re filled with vibrant discussions and incredible reading recommendations that will help you keep abreast of trends and understand popular tropes, as well as teaching you how to best promote your book, if and when you publish.
Don’t over think your content. It’s often the videos that take you minutes to film that do the best, so just have fun. The key to growth is to post in a niche (books!) and to post consistently (at least once a day) It sounds daunting, but it can become part of your routine. Comment and engage with others and you will meet amazing, like minded readers and authors and will form long-lasting friendships and connections that could lead to amazing things – like a publishing deal with Scholastic in my case!
Sixteen Souls will be published this October, this fantasy YA love story follows 16-year-old seer, Charlie Firth, as he realises that ghosts are going missing in York. Can you tell us a bit more about the novel and the inspiration behind it?
Absolutely! Sixteen Souls is about a grumpy cinnamon-roll teen called Charlie who resents being able to see the dead. All it does is bring him trouble, but when he’s asked to put himself at risk to make a difference by the cute, irritating new seer in town, he (reluctantly) answers that call. Mayhem, and romance, ensues on the streets of haunted York! There’s many a queer ghost, terrifying underground crypts, accidental holding-hands in the graveyard, and secret magic.
I’ve always gravitated to dark themes and creepy stories. With Sixteen Souls I wanted to write about an ordinary teenager who is made extraordinary by the ghosts he can interact with, and because of the nature of ghosts the book deals with death, loss, insecurity and fear. But I always try to balance the hard times with humour. There are plenty of lighter, fun scenes in Sixteen Souls, as well as heartfelt character moments to warm the soul and lift the spirit. Sometimes the ghost wants to tear your skin off, but sometimes they just want you to amend their Wikipedia entry. It’s a tough call!
Throughout the novel Charlie is also coming to terms with his sexuality – how crucial of a role was diversity and representation for you when you wrote the novel?
It was fundamental to the novel’s conception. The world is a diverse place and I’ve always wanted my storytelling to reflect that, but it was very important for me to include representation in a way that doesn’t take up space that isn’t mine to occupy. As well as being gay, my protagonist Charlie is an amputee. Disabled rep is something I would love to see more of in fiction, so it just seemed natural to include it in mine. But Sixteen Souls isn’t a story about being an amputee, in the same way it’s not a book about what it’s like to be a gay teenager. Those are just aspects of Charlie’s bodymind and personal circumstances that affect his day to day life.
On a personal level, Sixteen Souls is the book I desperately needed as a queer teen who, at the time, really wanted to be straight. Reading about LGBTQIA+ characters being the heroes, having adventures and getting to be happy, would have really helped teenage me understand and accept myself. As a book with casual gay, bi, pan, lesbian and trans rep, I’m hoping that Sixteen Souls can be that story for someone else.
What advice do you have for writers looking to incorporate supernatural and fantasy elements in their work?
I’m a strong believer in ‘vibes’ and ‘atmosphere’ as an aspect of supernatural and fantasy worldbuilding, always asking what I want a world to feel like when read. I then combine this with quite logical, practical rules. I like my worlds tightly woven so that a reader is never wondering ‘why?’ without an answer being offered in the narrative or by the structure of the world. That’s not the only way to do it of course, soft magic certainly has its place and maintains a rather delightful air of mystery, but be careful of deus ex machina and undermining your own stakes. To avoid this, I always start with character motivation and a clear character arc, that way I can keep on track when I wander into the wild woods of world building.
Finally, what’s next for your writing journey?
Scholastic offered on two books, which means I get to turn Sixteen Souls into the duology I always envisioned. I’m also hard at work on another YA romantasy thriller and I have plans for an adult fantasy series. I also create a lot of extra in-world content, including short stories and artwork, for my monthly newsletter. Readers can sign up to on my website for access to lots of free extras.
Find Rosie on Instagram and TikTok @merrowchild.
Order your copy of Sixteen Souls here.
Are you passionate about creating stories and characters that young people really care about? Join our new six-week online Writing YA & Middle Grade Fiction course with Patrice Lawrence.