This week our featured author is Maxine Sylvester, a middle grade Author and Illustrator!!!

What made you decide to become an author?
I wanted a reason to illustrate, so I created a character, a young reindeer called Ronaldo, and intended to write a short story about him going to flying school. But once I started, I couldn’t stop. It was like opening Pandora’s Box – all these ideas came flooding out. I now enjoy writing as much as illustrating.

What made you want to write middle grade?
It wasn’t a conscious decision. It just felt natural writing for 7-10 year-olds.

If Hagrid and Mrs. Oleary (the Hell hound from Percy Jackson and the Olympians) were in a hot dog eating contest, who would win?
Go Hagrid! I’m an obsessive Harry Potter fan. I devoured the books and took the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Watford. Mind-blowing!

Are you working on any new books right now? If so, what is it called, and what’s it about?
I am indeed. I have just started the fifth Ronaldo adventure, Ronaldo: Saving Blitsen. It will be available November 2022.
“Wing Commander Blitsen loses her job at Flying School and it’s Ronaldo’s fault! Determined to make amends, Ronaldo uncovers the sinister truth of what really happened, and campaigns to have his disgraced teacher reinstated.”

What other books have you written?
There are four books in Ronaldo’s Flying Adventures series:

·       Ronaldo: The Reindeer Flying Academy
·       Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher
·       Ronaldo: Rudi’s Birthday Extravaganza
·       Ronaldo: Vixen’s Flying Workshop

If you could be any kind of donut, what would you be?
A classic jam (blackcurrant or raspberry) donut with icing sugar sprinkled on top. Sometimes donuts can be way too complicated.

What book are you reading right now?
Alex by Pierre Lemaitre. It’s darker than my normal reads. My uncle gave it to me with a warning that it was gory in places, but I found it quite brilliant. There was a surprise in the middle of the book (I certainly didn’t see it coming) and after that, I had no idea where the story was going.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?
Email:        ronaldotheflyingreindeer@gmail.com
Website:   https://www.ronaldotheflyingreindeer.com/
Amazon:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxine-Sylvester/e/B019HZUOQI
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaxineSylvesterAuthor/
Twitter:      https://twitter.com/flyingronaldo/
Pinterest:   https://id.pinterest.com/flyingronaldo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxinesylvester/