UNDISCOVERED VOICES INTERVIEWS Katie Hayoz

 In this week's Undiscovered Voices interview, meet writer Katie Hayoz

Tell us what you write

Anything from children's chapter books to YA to adult fiction. While the books vary from dark to funny, they always have something weird going on. I am a sucker for the strange.

Why did you enter Undiscovered Voices?

I'd been querying my children's chapter book without success. I thought "why not?" to UV. The worst that could happen was nothing!

Tell us about the book you submitted

Kelsie Carter and the Evil Chihuahua Army is a chapter book for young readers that is supposed to be FUN. Kelsie's parents are super scientists and Kelsie messes up a formula...accidentally creating an evil chihuahua army.

How did you feel about winning Undiscovered Voices?

When I saw how amazing the other entries were I was stunned. How did I get in with all theses fantastic writers? But there I was. I don't think I stopped grinning for weeks.

In what ways was the feedback from Undiscovered Voices useful?

It gave me more confidence in my work, especially as I hadn't written for young children before. I was also grateful for the sense of community from the UV team.

Have you had any success with your book as a result of Undiscovered Voices?

I now have a wonderful agent, Alice Sutherland-Hawes. I am so grateful to UV for this.

Tell us about about yourself

I was born in the US, but have lived in Geneva, Switzerland for the past 20 years. I am a popcorn addict, animal lover, and avid reader.

Website: http://www.katiehayoz.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/katiehayoz
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katiehayoz.author

You can download the Undiscovered Voices 2018 anthology here to read an extract from Katie's book.

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Undiscovered Voices is an anthology published every other year by the British SCBWI and aims to help fresh, new voices in children’s literature – both writers and illustrators – find agents, publishers and ultimately readers. Undiscovered Voices has launched the careers of writers and illustrators, who have gone on to publish more than 200 books. These authors have been nominated for and won an amazing array of literary prizes: including the Carnegie Medal, Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, Branford Boase Award, Blue Peter Award, the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and nearly 30 regional awards. Visit www.undiscoveredvoices.com for all the details and news when submissions will open for the next anthology.