What could be better than a visit from not only ONE of my favourite authors, but TWO of my favourite authors?! With one in Adelaide and one in Tasmania, this is indicative of their recent collaboration --- a co-written fantasy novel THE DISAPPEARING CIRCUS (published July 29th, with Riveted Press). Read on to see how HELEN EDWARDS and KATE GORDON co-wrote their latest novel over email, what prompted the idea, why their friendship and mutual respect was an important part of the process, and what they both have coming up next. Check out the blurb of THE DISAPPEARING CIRCUS ... "When Emme and Ivy—two runaway girls weighed down by grief—stumble upon a strange circus on the moors, they are flung together, as they discover a world unlike any other. Ghostly performers, mythical creatures, and a Ringmistress with dark secrets await them beneath the blood-red Big Top. To save the fading circus from vanishing forever, Emme and Ivy must uncover their hidden talents and put on a show to end all shows. But do they even have talents? And can they discover them in time? As the girls navigate dizzying trials of magic and mystery, they realize that the circus isn’t just disappearing—it’s somehow connected to the very threads of their pasts. As secrets are unravelled, Emme and Ivy must step into the spotlight and take a chance on themselves and each other, proving that you must always hold onto wonder and that even the smallest sparks of magic can change everything. A breath-taking blend of magic, mythology, and heart, The Disappearing Circus reminds us that friendship and courage can be found in the most unexpected of places, that the future is ours to hold—and that some stories are too powerful to ever truly disappear..." Thank you for stopping by, Helen and Kate! 1. Firstly, can you share a little about the story of THE DISAPPEARING CIRCUS? What is your favourite character/moment of the book? HELEN: The Disappearing Circus is an allegory to grief and hope, told through the eyes of two runaway girls - Emme and Ivy. It's a magical adventure that takes place on a fictional island called Weldlands Island. Readers can expect a strange circus filled with ghosts, mythological creatures, extinct animals, a dark Ringmistress, and two brave girls who lean into each other and find their way to hope. The setting is a bit like the Tasmanian Midlands mixed with the English moors. I love all the characters, but have a soft spot for Ohme the Dragon and Cindertail the nuralagus - an extinct Australian mammal about ten times bigger than a rabbit. She's a little like our White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. KATE: I mean, obviously my favourite is Emme, because she's "mine". I'm so very fond of her. I go a bit weird when I'm writing and sort of take on the characters a bit, and this was easy with Emme. She's kind of like my inner wild Kate Bush-style ethereal self (the one I wish I was on the outside!), full of fire and courage and uncertainty. I love her to bits. And like Helen, I love Cindertail. I'm a sucker for a talking animal and Cindertail is a good one! 2. How did the idea to co-write a book together come up in the first place and how did you come up with the idea for what the book would be about? HELEN: We were friends on social media and had chatted for a while. We were talking about our writing one day and the idea of writing a book together came up. I had secretly wanted to work with Kate for ages! From there, we brainstormed ideas and found both of us had dabbled with the idea of a story set in an unusual circus. And off we went! KATE: I was sneakily able to read one of Helen's early books before it was released - our publisher knew it was wonderful and she knew I'd love it too! It was so strange reading it, like Helen and I shared a kind of writer brain/voice/vibe, and I knew, if she'd have me, I'd love to work with her. I'm so honoured she said yes! 3. How did two authors (in separate states no less!) collaborate and write a novel together? Email? Phone? How do you divvy up who writes what and what if there is a disagreement? HELEN: It's all via email. We decide on the story idea and loose plot, and our characters, then work out who starts, and they do chapter 1. Then we riff off each others chapters to the end. We aren't big on outlines! We do need to know where we're going, and will discuss this when we feel it’s needed, numerous times. Sometimes one person may suggest a chapter or section isn't quite working, and the other person will go back to change. For example, with our work in progress, Kate suggested I start earlier on the timeline in chapter 1 than I had done, and I agreed, so went back to develop a new chapter 1. There are never conflicts or issues. We support each other and work really well together. In fact, we have since drafted a YA together, written book 1 of a JF series - Leni and Mare's Mysterious Museum (stay tuned on that!), and have begun a second illustrated JF series. So expect more Gordon & Edwards stories! KATE: I'm largely sceptical/antagonistic towards 'the social internets' (as the Green brothers say), but they're good for a few things! Being able to write a whole book remotely is pretty amazing. It's like having one very long, very creative and sometimes very strange conversation. It's really exciting, waiting for the next instalment, like that game we used to play as kids where we'd write a line on a piece of paper, fold it so only the end was shown, and pass it on. It was so much fun and made me fall in love with writing all over again. 4. THE DISAPPEARING CIRCUS is published by Riveted Press. And you have both been multi-published by award-winning Riveted Press before. What makes Riveted such a great home for your books? HELEN: Riveted Press is all about forging unforgettable stories, which is what we are both about too. Rowena Beresford has a remarkable ability to clear away a story and bring out its true heart. She's a brilliant editor and beautiful human who is endlessly patient. We both love working with her and the close relationship she has with her authors is special. She's open to creative ideas and stories that might be a bit unusual, or different, like The Disappearing Circus. KATE: One word: Rowena. She is one of the most special people I've ever known. She's intensely smart, creative, wise and brilliant as a publisher, but she's also the kindest and most empathetic person you'll ever meet. Being a Riveted author feels like home, and as a neurodivergent author, this is so important. Besides that, I'm so proud to be part of this increasing stable of wonderful authors and books. It's a real privilege to watch Riveted grow and marvel at how far it's come. 5. Do you have a typical writing process, when you write separately? Does it differ when writing collaboratively? And what is your writing space like? HELEN: My typical writing process is to ponder an idea that calls to me for a time - many ideas do this!. Find the main character/s. Start writing my way into the story. Research as needed (how much depends on if it's historical- there's a LOT more then), write, research, edit, write, freak out (reached the middle of the MS at this stage ), return to what my characters want/need, their problems and voice, research, write, gather speed, fall back in love with the story, obsess about it and dream lines in my sleep, finish! Then it's my favourite part - rewriting, polishing, bringing life and heart to the story. Edits infinity! That is pretty much the same with co-writing except I can bounce off and count on Kate, so there's less freaking out! My writing space is pretty dingy - our dressing room is also my office, next to our bedroom with no door between. I have lots of lovely pictures and inspiration and toys and books around me. KATE: I'm a mum to two girls, a teenager and a toddler. I am full-time mum and carer to my toddler, who has some extra medical needs and a LOT of extra "wanting to hang out with Mum" needs. I can't afford to wait for a muse - I don't have enough time. I write whenever I get a moment, usually covered in baby food (best case scenario!), sitting on the floor in my lounge room while my toddler pulls every book off her many bookshelves and throws the ones she doesn't want right at me. In fact, that is exactly where I am now. There may be a small copy of a Spot book perched on the edge of this keyboard... 6. What is in the pipeline? Can you share anything else you are both working on next? HELEN: A Light on the Rocks, my magical historical middle-grade novel is coming in 2026. It was part of my Fellowship with the SA state library supported by Writers SA and supported by a History Trust grant. It's set across two timelines with dual POVs- one at the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse in 1960 and the other on the final voyage of the ill-fated SS Admella in 1859. It’s a love song to the sea about courage, survival and hope, that shows how being ourselves, noticing the world around us, and making connections with nature, place and each other, are the truly magical things about being alive. Kate and I also have book 1 of our first JF series together - Leni and Mare's Mysterious Museum- coming out in 2026. Stay tuned! The Forest Keepers is my fantasy duology that I've carried since 2019. I'm so excited that Riveted Press is publishing book 1 - Secrets of the Emerald Stone in 2027 and book 2 in 2028. The Forest Keepers is an enchanting eco-fantasy about standing up and standing out, caring for nature, and holding onto hope, in which 13-year-old Calla Rosewind discovers shocking secrets about herself and her family, and is called upon to take a dangerous quest across the last ancient forests of Callistemon with her best friend Isla, in order to save their dying world. KATE: I have a few things coming up! Aside from Leni and Mare, I have more books in the Secret Detectives Club series, more in the Juno Jones series, a standalone book called The Midlands next year, and a new series centred around a group of young, home schooled, neurodivergent friends beginning in 2027. 2027!!! How is that possible? And hopefully more books with Helen. THE DISAPPEARING CIRCUS
by Helen Edwards and Kate Gordon is published July 29 2025 by Riveted Press Visit Helen online at www.helenedwardswrites.com/ Visit Kate online at kategordon.com.au/
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