Phill Featherstone

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I was born and brought up in the north of England, and after locating all over the country now live in Sheffield. My wife and I lived in London when we were first married and we still go there often. I did English Lit at university and have always been a keen reader, so that's my main hobby. I also enjoy going to museums and galleries, to the theatre and to concerts.

When and why did you start writing books?

I didn't complete my first novel until I'd retired. All my life I'd wanted to write, but something always got in the way - family, children, work , and yes, to be honest, just plain laziness. But when I'd put full-time work aside I finally found the space to do something and became absorbed. My first novel, Paradise Girl, was written in about 6 months and came out in 2016.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

See above. It's not really a career, but it's more than a hobby.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Difficult question. The book I think I'm proudest of is The God Jar, but I think my favourite characters are Kerryl (the Paradise Girl of the title) and Lucia, heroine of my latest novel, Butterflies.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

The God Jar involved a lot of research. What Dreams We Had took a lot of work before I got the characters, the tone and the ending as I wanted.

Who is your favourite author and book?

Impossible question!

What book are you reading right now?

Just finished Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and starting The Playground by Richard Powers.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

All over the place. Usually they start with a character, who wanders in, hangs about and develops a story.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

See above.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Butterflies came out in November 2024, and I took a few weeks off after signing off on the manuscript. I'm just starting a new one - working title 'Girls' Night'. I'll begin seriously in 2025 and aim to finish it by early summer.