One of the big things that surprised me when I was first published was how unforgiving reviewers were of female characters – people didn’t like it when they did anything wrong! They were seen as very unlikeable and mean if they made mistakes, which isn’t something we see for male characters.

I really wanted to write about a villainous girl. What inspired you to write a story about ghosts and magical powers? When Harriet arrives, things start to go badly wrong… They’ve spent years bickering, flirting, play-fighting and developing in-jokes with each other in the decrepit and abandoned building where they all died. The other ghosts happen to be freshers who all died in their halls of residence during their first year of uni, decades earlier.

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker is my first fantasy novel, about a girl who gets in above her head when she tries to become the most powerful ghost in a building of ancient spirits. Ok first question: can you tell me a bit about your new book? Not only is it written by the wonderful UKYA writer Lauren James, but it’s also her first fantasy book and features a gang of magical, 18-year-old ghosts.Ī huge thanks to all of you who submitted your burning questions for Lauren to answer over on my Instagram - read on to hear all the juicy details about her new book. The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker is one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year. (This book was very kindly gifted to me by Walker Books, but all opinions are my own)

The reckless life of harriet stoker