Q&A with children's author Kim Rackham!

Thank you to debut children's author KIM RACKHAM for stopping by my blog to discuss her new verse novel for young readers, HANNAH BACKWARDS (published by Riveted Press).

1. Kim, what prompted you to write your debut junior fiction novel HANNAH BACKWARDS? How did you get the idea and what was the writing (and rewriting!) process like?
 
In 2023, after moving on from my teaching job, I found myself in the wonderful position of having time to write and, more importantly, creative space in my head. I knew I was going to write something, but I didn't know what. When I started Hannah Backwards, I was experimenting with writing in verse, and I turned to my childhood for ideas. From my memory of carrying a worry stone (Shiva Shell) in my pocket as a child, I slowly built up a sense of Hannah and her family, then I added a friend, and a teacher, and some classmates... That's when I started to feel that I had something worth continuing with. I started wondering what 'problem' I could give Hannah, so that I could turn a handful of characters into a story.
 
Once I was on the way, Hannah lived inside my head and I loved writing her story. I am a 'pantser', so I don't work with a carefully thought out idea in my mind. I like to let my creative side run a little wild. I worked in Scrivenor, so it was easy for me to write verses from any point in the story, then order them and make sense of them later when I was ready to be more structured. For me, that's when the real work starts.
 
I didn't share my work with anyone until I felt it was pretty close to finished. At that stage, the feedback of other writers (a sister and a friend) is always so valuable. The final re-writing was hard, because at heart, I love it when things are peaceful and loving, and I avoid conflict whenever possible. My story was a bit too saccharin sweet, and while I'd introduced the sense of conflict at one point, a writer friend gently urged me to make it stronger. So I threw out a little of the calm, added in a bit more tantrum, and it definitely made my story better. I am forever grateful for the advice of first readers, who are able to remain more detached from the story than me!
 
 
2. Why did you choose to write the book in verse? What were the joys, and challenges, of writing in this format? 
 
I have loved reading verse novels for many years, since I first discovered Love That Dog by Sharon Creech in the early 2000s. Then along came many more writers of children's verse in Australia, and their books now fill my special verse-novel-bookshelf. I had considered trying some verse of my own, but was overwhelmed with the idea that I might get it 'wrong'.
 
Then finally I had more time on my hands. Instead of writing with the aim of producing something publishable, I just wrote. I experimented with verse and I stopped listening to the negative voice in my head because I was just playing. And once I got further in and my confidence built, it felt right to me.
 
I realised also that there are so, so many verse novels and they all do it in their own way. They don't have to fit a formula. The kind of verse I like to write is made up of lots of short poems, over one to two pages at most. I don't punctuate - I love the look of the words on the page in all their simplicity. It feels and looks poetic to me. And it's okay for me to do it that way when so many authors do it another way.
 
So I think my biggest challenge—the fear of getting it 'wrong'—became my biggest joy—the freedom to do it my own way.
 
 
3. How did HANNAH BACKWARDS find a home with Riveted Press? What was the publication experience like for you? 
 
My journey was a little like yours, Brenton! I entered the JWFK Pitch It! Competition in late 2023, partly because some writing friends had entered and I thought why not? It wasn't until I was shortlisted that I actually started to think this might help me get the break I needed - that very tricky thing of getting your work in front of an editor in the first place. I eventually came runner up, and crossed fingers that the first place getter did not choose an assessment by Rowena Beresford, from Riveted Press, as their prize. I felt my work was best suited to her, and I was lucky—I got that chance.
 
The publication process felt loooooong in the beginning, because nothing much happens when the book is first contracted. It sits and waits its turn. But once edits were happening, and now that release is close, time is flying. I have enjoyed seeing my work go through the process, and the absolute biggest thrill has been seeing the cover art and internal illustrations by Heidi Cooper Smith, and the overall design by Rowena. I love the way my book looks—I couldn't be more thrilled.
 
 
4.  What have you learnt about the experience of publishing and being a debut author that surprised you, challenged you and excited you the most? 
 
Being a debut author is exciting, and also a huge relief, because this is something I have been working towards for many years. It is finally happening! Sharing the news with family and friends was so exciting, and I feel justified for having spent so many years working on something that is so, so important to me.
 
As this is a novel, not a picture book, I wasn't prepared for the feeling of 'sharing' the finished product with others. I knew it would be illustrated and edited and designed, but I didn't expect the feeling of absolute joy I got when I saw the cover and illustrations and the way everything works together. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts! I am so thankful to Heidi and Rowena for their part in this team effort - it is our book. 
 
And the challenges? For me, it is most definitely the idea of self-promotion. Sometimes I would like to go and hide in a cupboard. Of course, that's not possible, and I am working at  building my social media presence, while trying to find a balance that works for me. It's really important to me that I don't let the pressures of the 'writing admin tasks' steal the creative space in my head. So for an unstructured, non-planner like me, the challenge is to plan my time better so that there's room for everything.
 
 
5. Do you have a typical writing process? And what is your writing space like? 
 
In late 2022, I started meeting up with a couple of writing friends on a Wednesday. Cuppas, cake and a chat, followed by a couple of hours in the library. We talk about what we plan to write, we debrief midway, and we celebrate and commiserate together. Wednesdays have become absolutely central to my writing process, because they are protected time. Whatever else happens in my life, my Wednesdays are booked. These sessions keep me accountable and inspired, and they force me to sit still at least for a little while. It is on these days that I make the most headway, and create the momentum to keep writing when I'm on my own.

At home, my writing space is made up of whichever surface I lay my laptop on. Perhaps this is partly because I'm a fidgety person and not good at staying in one seat for long. I can start at the table, transition to laptop on knees on the couch (NOT good for my neck!), then pace around the house while I problem solve in my head. While the lack of library discipline means I don't sit still and focus in the same way, it serves a different purpose. This is where I'm most likely to nut things out when they're tricky, and movement helps me to do that.
 
 
6. What is in the pipeline? Can you share anything you are working on next?
 
The time ahead looks very exciting to me. Hannah will appear again, this time in Izzi's story as she moves to her new home up the coast. Izzi Upside Down will be published by Riveted Press in 2026. I can't wait to have the pair of books in my hands, and I'm glad that Izzi will have her own story too. 

For now, I'm working on another junior fiction verse novel. I'm still at the fun, discovery stage, where I'm free writing a lot and not so worried about putting everything carefully into place. That harder part is just around the corner.

And in 2026, I'm thrilled to be heading to the Blue Mountains for a Varuna Residential Fellowship, to work on another verse novel that I am sitting on for now. The idea of having my own space, but also sharing space, with other writers is both amazing and a little scary, and I can't wait!
 
 
7. Anything else you would like to add, at all?
 
The kidlit community is one of the most supportive communities I know. All writers are hoping so hard for a chance to be published, or published again, and to have some level of success. And yet, the community shares its wisdom and knowledge and opportunities, and freely supports other writers.
 
Thanks so much for the chance to 'speak' about my book on your blog—another opportunity for a writer to be seen and heard. And I hope you enjoy Hannah Backwards!