London Writers' Salon #154: Francesca Simon — From 40+ Rejections to Bestselling Children’s Author (25M+ Book Sales), Moving from Children’s Books to Opera & Myth, and Reinventing Herself at Every Stage
17 snips
Jul 20, 2025 
Francesca Simon, the acclaimed author of over 60 books for children, especially the popular Horrid Henry series, shares her creative journey. She discusses overcoming early rejections and her evolution from children's literature to crafting operas. Francesca reveals insights into writing myth-based novels and the challenges of adapting narratives for the stage. Her reflections on the writing process emphasize the importance of character motivation and cultivating a supportive workspace, all while advocating for literacy and storytelling across generations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Know What Drives Your Characters
- Prepare thoroughly by knowing what your characters want and what's preventing them from getting it before writing.
- This clarity guides the story, making it compelling and engaging for readers.
Starting Children's Books After Motherhood
- Francesca began writing children's books inspired by motherhood, even though it wasn't her initial goal.
- Despite early rejections, she persisted with encouragement from her agent and eventually got published.
Maintain Quality Over Quantity
- Write only one book a year to avoid feeling pressured and to keep quality high.
- Aim to make each new work better than the last to sustain creativity and pride.
