Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in 1963. I have lived and worked in London, UK: Sri Lanka: UAE and Bahrain. Currently, I live in Johannesburg, South Africa with my fur babies.
Primarily a children’s author I have written:
Polly’s Piralympics Series (Middle Grade)
How Polly Became a Pirate,
Polly Finds Treasure,
Polly’s Piralympics,
Polly’s Inuit Piralympics,
Polly’s Hogmanay Holiday,
Polly’s Rainy Day Piralympics
Polly Returns to Africa
Polly Saves Captain Kipper
The Toucane the Toucan Series (4-8 years)
These are colouring-in books with a story, song and activity included.
Toucane is Different,
Toucane and the Rubbish Rangers
Toucane Warns of Stranger Danger.
Sporting Magic Series – currently being re-written
The Magic Vuvuzela
Cricket Crazy
Tane’s Rugby Dream
Wonderful Wimbledon
The Henrietta the Hornbill Series (2-5 years)
We Don’t Push, Punch or Pinch
I am currently writing:
Polly’s Beach Piralympics
Polly’s Halloween Piralympics
Polly’s Lost Friends
Polly’s Activity Book
The Yogininis Series – 3 books written, titles and illustrations to be done – Set in the Middle East
The Falak the Falcon Series – started on the 1st book – set in the Middle East
Richard the Rhino Gets Lost in Africa – awaiting illustrations.
My flagship – The Polly’s Piralympics Series was written and inspired by the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Paralympic Games. In his closing speech, Sir Phillip Craven told of how a young boy was reading with his mother. In the book, he saw a man with an eye patch, a hook for a hand, a parrot on his shoulder and a wooden leg. When asked who it was, he said: “Well he has only one leg, so he must be an Olympian.” Such was the strength of the London 2012 Paralympics that it changed peoples’ perceptions of disability forever. The speech made me both laugh and cry and gave me the inspiration for the Polly’s Piralympics Series of books which are both unique in concept as well as content and format – dealing with disabilities, bullying and cheating. The books also have a comprehension page at the end of each chapter, where the participants can answer questions and draw their own characters etc.
In March 2018 I set up the Schools Reading Road Show – an NPO – with the aim of improving literacy for pupils in the Primary Sector in South Africa. With me were Kim Hunter, Fatuma Abdullah, Cora and Evadeen Brickwood. We have visited schools, read to the learners and given motivational talks on anti-bullying and it’s ok to be different.
I have also addressed a Head Teachers Conference (Embrace) in 2018 and 2019; where I gave a workshop on the importance of reading. I give workshops for YA pupils on how to write a book and participated on panels at the JBBF (Jozi Books and Blogs Festival) 2017/2018, South African Children’s Book Fair 2018 and Kingsmead Book Faire 2019 where I gave a presentation.
In March 2020, I ran the Bennies Book Fayre, the only dedicated Children’s and YA book Fayre in South Africa with over 75 authors, including 10 child authors.
Sometimes when I need a break from writing children’s books I enjoy writing short stories and poetry for adults; I have written these under my Pen Name JE Gallery:
Echoes from the Forest 2018– a poetry book.
Ethereal – where she was one of 7 authors. Pub 2018 – light horror/dark fantasy. Nominated for Best African Anthology (by the African Speculative Fiction Society.
Angry Tears – an anthology of short stories (yet to be published).
Do You Dream in Colour – An Anthology of short stories (yet to be published).
Lockdown Behind the Mask 2020 – An anthology. I have lived in the Middle East and was always fascinated with the niqab, revealing only those beautiful eyes. When Lockdown happened, literally five days after I had run the Bennies Book Fayre, like everyone I was confused and a little afraid. I found it hard to focus on, my children’s books and resorted to my go-to short stories. Looking around me, I was inspired by the wearing of masks and it reminded me of my time spent living in the Middle East. I wanted to create an anthology of short stories with an Islamic signature, so decided to get other authors involved and approached Raashida Khan to come on board as a co-editor and send out for submissions.
It was never about the money, from its inception the entry rule was that all royalties from the book should be donated to charity.
The rest as they say is history. 18 Authors, a publisher, a co-editor and 6 months hard work later and Lockdown Behind the Mask was born.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Polly’s Beach Piralympics
It is part of the Polly’s Piralympics Series and was inspired by the warmer months of Summer I have just experienced, here is South Africa.
Kids play cricket on the beach, fly kites, build sand castles and surf
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am often working on several books at the same time and often end up sitting on my bed, with my feet up and both dogs lying around me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R.R Tolkien. I adored The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia, and A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. They helped me escape into fantasy worlds, where I could believe anything was possible.
What are you working on now?
I’m mainly working on two new series.
The Yogaminis, about the adventures of a group of children and their yoga classes, companions and journeys. How even when disabled their friends can participate and how they end up flying kites on the beach and visiting an oasis, where the Sheikh grows food hyroponically.
And the Farouk Series, where Farouk, the Falcon, goes to the Pan Arab Games. How he has to enter a death dive to try to win the falcon race, makes friends with a camel at the Camel beauty competition and watches the most beautiful horses in the world compete – the golden horses, whose coats look like they have been painted in gold.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Don’t listen to other people. Write, write, write. Get your ideas written down. Then learn the craft and go back to edit and hone your words.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.
What are you reading now?
The Soul of a Lion by Willie Labuschagne and An Elephant in my Kitchen (again) by Francoise Malby Anthony
What’s next for you as a writer?
To get my books made into kids tv programmes.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Lord of the Rings
Author Websites and Profiles
Jann Weeratunga Amazon Profile
Jann Weeratunga’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile