James Fox, the brilliant mind behind our Debut of the Month The Boy in the Suit, has shared his thoughts on the inspiration behind this intriguing world of funeral crashers, and his take on school uniforms. This candid conversation gives us a glimpse into the process of creating such a heartfelt and relatable story.

The Boy in the Suit is a heartwarming and thought-provoking chapter book perfect for children aged 9 and up. At the center of the story is 10-year-old Solo, a boy navigating the harsh realities of the cost of living crisis. Solo and his Mum face poverty and struggle with her mental health, and in their desperation, they resort to crashing funerals for free food. But when they accidentally attend the funeral of a celebrity, they’re caught in the act, with the press documenting their humiliation for the world to see. The story quickly goes viral, thrusting Solo into a spotlight he never asked for, turning his world upside down. Through empathy, sensitivity, and humour, The Boy in the Suit explores the challenges of hardship and the unexpected paths to understanding and resilience.

Our editorial expert Joy Court said The Boy is the Suit is "A timely story about the impact of child poverty that will make you laugh, cry and think."

And in her September Guest Editor feature for LoveReading4Kids, Bigg School series author Lisa Williamson chose it as her Book of the Month, describing it as, "Honest, funny and touching, Solo’s story will stay with you long after the last page."

Here is what James Fox had to say:

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes, I have always enjoyed telling stories and arranging words and sentences. English and creative writing was the only subject that really excited me at school. It probably helps that I’ve always had an oversized imagination, and love to create people and situations in my mind. Writing is a great way for me to make something useful out of those many hours spent daydreaming.

Can you tell us where the inspiration for this story came from?

A few years ago, I came across a news article online about a frequent funeral crasher who had been caught, and it piqued my interest. I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for this person who had been named and shamed, while also feeling hugely curious. I looked further into the topic, and found more and more articles about uninvited funeral-goers. It seemed like a perfect setup for a piece of fiction, and an intriguing pastime for these two characters, Solo and Morag, who had been aimlessly strolling around my mind for a few months.

Morag has a very unusual method for getting free food. Have you ever seen any behaviour like this in real life?

I’ve never personally witnessed funeral crashing in real life, nor have I ever crashed a funeral! However, as mentioned, Morag’s unusual methods are based on real-life behaviour that has been documented. I often wonder what I would do if I saw Solo and Morag squirrelling away food, and I hope readers will  think about this moral dilemma for themselves.

Do you think school uniform is a good idea? It can be a huge financial problem for families.

It’s complicated. The school uniform debate has raged on for generations, and I can see advantages and pitfalls to uniform and non-uniform in schools. The school uniform sub-plot was inspired by my own school, which enforced expensive embroidered logos one year, much to many parents’ dismay. Reading The Boy in the Suit, we understand that self esteem is hugely related to attire and dress, whether one has the correct uniform hanging in the wardrobe, or a shabby old suit. Where uniform is enforced, I think schools and communities should do all they can to make uniform affordable and accessible for families.

Do you think it is important for children's books to tackle real life issues?

I like to think most books can be described as “mirrors” or “windows”. “Mirrors” are the books we hold up to inspect our own lives, up-close and in detail. The “windows” are the books we open and peer through to snoop into another world. Both can contain real-world issues, but the reader decides what lessons to take away. Perhaps they will take an understanding of their own lives and circumstances, or perhaps they will learn compassion for the lives of other people. Either way, books should always make children feel less alone. 

 What do you hope your readers will take from your book?

Firstly, I hope readers have a sense of compassion for those going through difficult times. I also hope readers appreciate the importance of second chances; almost every character in the book makes serious mistakes, but they are each given the grace to learn and grow. Finally, I hope readers carry the character of Solo with them, and treat others with the kindness he receives.

How did it feel to hold the finished copy of your debut novel in your hand?

Holding a finished copy was quite surreal. It was the culmination of many months of work, both on my behalf and for everyone who worked on the book. On a more surface level, I was obsessed with the cover and illustrations, and pleasantly surprised by how thick the book was!

What are the challenges of bringing a novel to publication? How did you find the process?

For me, the biggest challenge was writing a realistic portrayal of modern-day primary school. So much has changed since I was at primary school in the 1990s. Certain true incidents and processes I can remember from school would never happen nowadays, because schools are safer, and technology has changed. This meant I had to research and write some workarounds to keep the action realistic. Overall, the process was hugely exciting, and a steep learning curve.

Any tips for fellow writers trying to get their debut published?

The most important thing is to get something finished, even if you think it’s terrible and doesn’t make sense. There is plenty of time to revisit and fine tune your writing, but the terrible first draft creates the building blocks with which the foundation of the story is placed. 

A big thank you to James Fox for taking the time to share his thoughts with us. We're so grateful for the insight into The Boy in the Suit and the inspiration behind this heartfelt story. We can't wait to see what he writes next!

@JamesFoxWriter
#TheBoyinTheSuit 

For more children's books featuring poverty as a theme, check out our 20 Children's Books Featuring Poverty and Homelessness Collection

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