About the Author: Kate Weston
What would you like readers to know about you?
I live in East London in the UK with my husband and our cat. Before I started writing books, I worked in publishing and before that I was a stand-up comedian performing around London and the UK at nighttime and working in a bookstore in the daytime. My material was mostly feminist comedy, and I would often get told that I talked about periods waaay too much. This is what prompted me to want to write books about periods and make them funny, because we should be able to talk about them as much as we want. Beforebeing a stand-up, I trained as a classical guitarist at a music college in London and have a degree in playing the guitar. So, my route to writing books wasn’t exactly straightforward.
Murder on a School Night is actually the third book that I’ve written and had published but it’s the first one to publish in the US which is very exciting for me and has always been a goal of mine.
Oh, and last but definitely not least, the most important thing about me is that my cat, is officially the cutest cat in the world (this is fact). His name is Angus – named after the cat in the Louise Rennison books – and his hobbies are waking me up in the morning by trying to fit his paw up my nose, eating things that he shouldn’t, and sitting watching the birds out of the window.
What music do you listen to (if any) when you write?
I tend not to listen to too much music when I’m writing because I find it quite distracting but if I’m feeling fancy and I want a little dance at my desk I have quite eclectic tastes. On rotation at the moment are Boygenius, Taylor Swift, Wet Leg, Lizzo, Little Simz, and Self Esteem. If I’m feeling a bit more chill I’ll listen to some Bon Iver or Joanna Newsom.
What books or authors inspired you to become a writer?
Louise Rennison and Judy Blume were huge inspirations for me when I was growing up. I have always loved funny books.
About the Book: Murder on a School Night
What is your book about for those who haven’t read it?
Murder on a School Night is a comedy murder mystery set in the small fictional English village of Barbourough (pronounced Barbara) where all the murders are either committed with or connected to period products. The book follows Annie and Kerry, two best friends and super cool crime novel enthusiasts, as they try to solve the mystery and find the menstrual murderer. The story’s told from the perspective of Kerry, who finds the first victim who’s been killed with a menstrual cup when she’s trying to have her first kiss with her crush Scott.
What has been your inspiration for writing it?
During the start of the pandemic with very little to do I set about watching and rewatching all of my favourite murder mysteries. I had just published my first novel in the UK called Diary of a Confused Feminist about a fifteen-year-old who wants to fight the patriarchy and tackle period shame. I had all this knowledge about periods, really bad period pains of my own and a desire to do something a bit silly and ridiculous, but obviously none of us could leave the house. And then one day, I wondered, what if I wrote a murder mystery of my own, one that tackled period shame and had a funny take all in one? And so… after a lot of planning, plotting, and doodling, Annie and Kerry and the village of Barbourough were born.
What was your favorite scene or part of your book to write?
I really enjoyed writing the second murder in the book. I don’t want to give away too much of what happens, but for me that was a really fun scene to write. Although I worry about what that says about me…I also really enjoyed writing the scenes where Annie and Kerry are on their own. I love their friendship and found their dialogue a lot of fun to write.
Where can your book be purchased?
All good bookstores, in real life and online I believe!There is also an audiobook which is available as well!
To the Future Writer:
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write a book?
Keep at it and don’t let insecurities win. Sometimes you’ll feel like you should delete everything you’ve done and start again: don’t do that! Sometimes you’ll feel like it’s all terrible: just KEEP GOING! (Spoiler – all first drafts are terrible) It takes a lot of persistence to write a book but know that the end is in sight! You will get there eventually, and it will be glorious! You can do this!
What’s next for you? Any events, upcoming pubs, etc.
Annie and Kerry are getting a sequel! The sequel to Murder on a School Night will be publishing in summer 2024 and is going to be called Murder on a Live Stream! But that’s all I can say about it for now!
Where can we find you:
Twitter- @kateelizweston
Instagram- @kateelizabethweston
Website- katewestonauthor.com
Others- TikTok: @katewestonauthor
What’s on your TBR list?
I’ve always got a completely insurmountable stack of books to read and yet I still carry on buying more books to add to that stack?! But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve currently got The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach next on my list, which I’m really excited about! I loved Not Here to Be Liked.
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