The Songbird Cafe Girls Mollie Cinnamon is Not a Cupcake

About Sarah Webb

Sarah Webb has written seven bestselling novels including, ‘When the Boys Are Away’, ‘Take a Chance’, and ‘Always the Bridesmaid’. Her books have been published in many different countries including the U.S. and Indonesia. She has also written four children’s books, has contributed short stories to many collections including ‘Moments’, and has compiled and edited two charity collections of her own, ‘Travelling Light’ and ‘Mum’s the Word’.

Sarah studied Arts in Trinity College, Dublin and worked in the book trade for many years as a Children’s Buyer. She now combines writing with working as a Children’s Book Consultant, and reviewing children’s books for the Irish Independent. She has also programmed and run many successful readers’ days, and is on the committee of Irish Pen.

She lives in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, with her partner and three children and spends as much time as possible in her parent’s second home in Castletownsend.

As a child
I was born in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. I have two sisters, Kate and Emma, and we used to fight a lot when we were girls, especially when we were teenagers and they used to nick my black socks and tights – but we are great friends now! I also have a much younger brother, Richard. I used to have to babysit for him all the time, like Amy in Amy Green. Did I resent this – grrrrrr - this is me gnashing my teeth. Of course! I couldn’t read by myself until I was nine. I found this very upsetting and frustrating because I loved stories and so wanted to be able to read. I was very lucky – my parents never gave up on me and read to me day and night. Eventually the words started to make sense on the page and within weeks I was flying along, devouring books. I’ve never looked back. My favourite books as a child, and now, are Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. Just like Harriet, I’ve kept a diary all my life and they are hidden in a very secret place in my house – so my family can’t find them, because they are TOP SECRET! I started writing stories soon after I started reading – at nine or ten. They were mainly re-writes of Cinderella or Enid Blyton books. I realised quite quickly that I could be anyone or do anything on the page. So there were a lot of enchanted sofas and beds in my stories, and characters flying out of windows like Wendy in Peter Pan. Someone asked me recently ‘Why do you write?’ I think it’s mainly because it makes me so happy. When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina, but I wasn’t good enough. My second dream was to be a writer or journalist. It just goes to show, sometimes dreams really do come true.

As an adult
I went to a school called St Andrew’s College in Dublin and then I studied English and History of Art in Trinity College, Dublin. I still love art and wandering around galleries is one my favourite things to do, especially in other countries. The MOMA in New York is my favourite gallery at the moment. After college, I wanted to work in publishing, but there weren’t many jobs and I didn’t have any experience so I applied to work in a bookshop called Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street. I loved it. I went on to work in many other bookshops including Hughes and Hughes, Waterstone’s, Eason and Dubray Books. Mainly as a children’s bookseller, I’m mad about children’s books, although I did spend a year selling medical books – so I know lots of strange ‘ology’ words!

As an artist
I started writing books when I was working in Waterstone’s. I was very broke and needed some extra money to carpet my little house. So I started writing for local newspapers and then magazines. And then I came up with an idea for a children’s cookery book, Kids Can Cook. It was rejected five times before Children’s Press in Ireland said they’d like to publish it. That was my very first book. Since then I have written eight novels for adults and Amy Green for young teens. I’m currently working on my second Amy Green book. I also enjoy visiting schools, and talking about children’s books with anyone who will listen. Obsessed, moi? Certainly not!

Things you didn't know about Sarah Webb
My favourite colour is raspberry pink – the walls in my study were pink for ages but it looked liked Barbie’s Magical Kingdom so they’re white now. But my curtains are pink!
I can touch the end of my nose with my tongue.
I sang Dancing Queen by Abba to my little sister at her wedding. Then I fell off the table. We have it all on video too!
I have a special proof copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, dedicated to me. I met J K Rowling at a dinner and she signed it for me. How cool is that?!
I’m obsessed with husky dogs and want to go on a husky safari with my son.
My favourite food is ice cream – with whipped cream on top. Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Yum!
I carve a mean Hallowe’en pumpkin.
I adore karaoke, even though I can’t sing.
I’m addicted to notebooks. I always have at least one in my bag, one beside my bed, and another in the kitchen. You never know when a good idea is going to strike.
I couldn’t read until I was nine and now I’m a full time writer. Just goes to show, the world’s a funny place and anything’s possible if you want it badly enough.