‘THERE WERE NO BOOKS IN MY HOUSE GROWING UP’

Author and activist Kit de Waal talks to books editor Joanne Finney about how to make publishing more inclusive, and being inspired by her two adopted children

We talk to author and activist Kit de Waal

Since she was first published, Kit de Waal has become as well-known for her eloquent arguments about the need for more diversity in publishing as for her wonderful novels. Kit, 60, grew up in Birmingham, where she was one of five children of an Irish mum, who worked as a childminder, and a Caribbean dad, who was a bus driver. A comment about how few writers there were from backgrounds like hers in an early interview became a clarion call to the publishing industry. She’s since used her position to become an advocate for writers from working-class backgrounds, including setting up a scholarship to Birkbeck College for aspiring writers from low-income backgrounds, and editing an anthology of working-class authors, called Common People.

De Waal worked for 15 years in criminal and family law, including as a magistrate, before she was published. It wasn’t until she was in her 40s that she started writing, and it took another 10 years for her to get a publishing deal.

Her debut novel, My Name Is Leon, about two brothers who are separated in the care system, drew on her personal experiences both through her work on adoption panels and from adopting her two children, Bethany and Luke. The book was a bestseller and was shortlisted for the Costa First Book Award. She’s since written two other novels, and her latest book, Supporting Cast, is a collection of short stories.

I was about 45 when I started writing.

After I adopted my son, Luke, who was very ill, I gave up work to look after him. I spent a lot of time at home; I’d redecorated, I’d fluffed the cushions to within an inch of their lives and I was bored out of my tree! I was a really voracious reader, so I thought I’d have a go at writing. If I’m honest, I thought it would be easy. I was a good reader and I’d always been good at English. The truth is, it was really, really hard. As soon as I started to write, I realised how much I wanted to do it. For the first time in my life, I came face to face with my own ambition.

I wrote my debut novel, My Name Is Leon, out of desperation.

I’d written several thrillers before that, but I couldn’t get published. I was scared of the subject matter of Leon. I had two adopted children, and the children

I’d come across in the care system are some of the most vulnerable in the country. I just didn’t want to get it wrong because I knew it would be disastrous if I did. But it was the only story I felt I could do justice to.

It never crossed my mind as a child that I could be an author.

I didn’t know anyone who was a writer, and there were no books in my house growing up, just the Bible. I didn’t discover reading for pleasure until I was in my early 20s.

I have to say what I think, whether it’s popular or not

Starting in my 40s has absolutely made me a better writer.

In my 20s, I would have been arrogant, a know-it-all, just daft. I’m very glad I didn’t commit a lot of what I now see were ridiculous opinions to paper. That’s not to say there are not lots of amazing young writers.

The publishing industry could do more in terms of inclusivity.

There’s more awareness, but making changes is a bit like turning an oil tanker – it’s very, very slow. I’ve been speaking up about this since I was first published four years ago, but there have been people who

have been saying it for 20-odd years. That it takes the brutal killing of someone in America for people here to start thinking about publishing more Black writers is very frustrating. Yes, publishers are realising that this is a serious issue and finally appear to be addressing underrepresentation, but when this drops out of the news – as it will – let’s hope their commitments don’t drop with it. For change to be genuine and lasting, it has to be about more than fear of people pointing the finger. It has to come from the dismantling of attitudes and systems.

My children inspire me so much.

They’re both adopted and there’s been an effect on both of them from being in the care system that still manifests itself today. One’s 19 and the other is 25. A lot of children who go through the care system find it difficult to trust, attach and love, and my children just never have. They’re just so resilient and loving. It’s an absolute privilege to know them.

The best advice I’ve been given came from Jamie Oliver.

I was at an event for Penguin before I was published and lots of authors were there – Zadie Smith, Jilly Cooper, Jamie Oliver. I had just set up a scholarship at Birkbeck College, so I decided to ask Jamie if he could offer a meal at one of his restaurants for everyone involved. It was incredibly embarrassing, but he said yes. He also said that if he could give me any advice, it would be to always be myself. It’s something

I think about often, and I’ve stuck to it. I have to say what I think, whether it’s popular or not.

I’ve just turned 60, and I’m absolutely cool about it.

My plans for my 60s are to keep writing and perhaps do another anthology of short stories and some essays. I would like to spend more time in Ireland, where my family is from, and I’d also like to ride a bike – it’s high time I learned!

 Supporting Cast (Penguin) by Kit de Waal is available to pre-order