Sam Szanto

Hi, I'm Sam Szanto, a writer from Durham in England. I write short stories, poetry and novels. I'm in the final year of an MA in Writing Poetry with Newcastle University / the Poetry School London. In my free time, I can be found taking my young children to birthday parties.

Question 1: What inspired you to start writing?

It was always a need - I had my first book published by my primary school aged 6! 'The Elves and the Fairies'.

Question 2: What have you written that you're the most proud of?

My poem 'Night-light' that won first prize in the First Writer International Poetry Competition. It was written three weeks after the birth of my first child, and was also the first poem I'd ever had published!

Question 3: What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you? 

I interviewed a writer for my blog recently who said that writers block doesn't exist. I don't think a lot of writers would agree with that, but I would say that it doesn't exist much for me anymore. I spent years barely writing so now I feel like I'm trying to catch up on that wasted time! Even if ideas don't come naturally, there's always somewhere to get inspiration - overheard conversations, newspaper articles... beg, borrow, steal. Often what I write isn't that great, but I persevere. I think there's a point as a writer when you just need to write and in that case, writer's block probably doesn't exist.

Question 4: What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

Definitely a pantser. I can't plot to save my life. Possibly why I have yet to publish a novel!

Question 5: If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?

Ah, that's a great question.... I studied writing with Tessa Hadley, who is a great talent and a lovely humble person, so would choose her.

Question 6: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

I get so much valuable advice from the interviews I do for my blog - one I particularly remember was something Emily Butler said: 'You need to become a student of your own work. So, read it like you would a book for a literature class.' That was a real 'Of course, yes!' moment for me.

Question 7: What are your favorite blogs or websites for writers? 

samszanto.com/blog - I interview mostly independent authors as a means of promotion for them. I ask the same 20 questions but everyone's take is so different, it's fascinating. There's also a lot of great lists of writing resources online for where's open for submissions - Angela Carr, Robin Houghton and Christopher Fielden have fantastic sites.

Question 8: Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?

Not really inspired me to become a writer, but the best book of that kind I've read has been Glyn Maxwell's 'On Poetry' - his approach is so fresh and funny, but also really insightful.

Question 9: What do the words “literary success” mean to you? How do you picture it?

I suppose I have achieved it to a very moderate degree through having my short story collection 'If No One Speaks' published last year, which has massively increased my social media following if not exactly brought financial riches to my door! When I heard that it was one of the publisher's bestselling books of the year, that felt special, more than anything because my family and friends had bought it to support me. I would love to have a novel published and that would feel like success because it's what I've always dreamed of, but then of course there will always be another dream!

Question 10: Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing? 

My parents, without a doubt. My husband is also very supportive, and my children were delighted to see my book in print.