Author Interview: Rico Hinson-King

We were able to chat with Rico Hinson-King, author of Strong and Tough and Football is for Everyone! Read our exclusive interview with him below:

1. When did you decide that you wanted to become an author?

The honest answer is I didn’t! My writing began in a different way. We had to write a story in homework club at Manchester City for the annual Premier League competition. The subject was “Fearless” so I wrote a very short version called “Strong and Tough”. I forgot all about it until a couple of months later, when I was told I had won Premier League Young Writer of the Year. It was such a surprise and I was delighted. It was after that that I rewrote my short story into my first book and was thrilled when Bloomsbury wanted to publish it especially as Nick Sharratt was going to illustrate it. Strong and Tough was based on my life in the foster care system and how football was my escape from everything that was going on in my life. The good and the bad.

2. Did you read lots as a younger child - if you did, where did you mainly read? If you didn't, what was the reason? 

My dad told me stories every night from the day I arrived at my foster parents at the age of 16 months old. I didn’t know it at the time, but he literally made them up on the spot. His favourites (and mine) were about a character called Bob the mouse and also three magical cars Little Red, Little Blue and Little Yellow! I loved those stories and hope one day to use them again if I’m lucky enough to have children. Thinking back, I understand now how those stories reflected on some the things that were going on in my childhood and how they were shaped by my dad to help me make sense of things I was experiencing. I think this was the start of my childhood reading and I read pretty much everything from comics to picture books. I loved the Guinness World Record books.

3. What was your favourite book as a child and why?

I didn’t have a particular favourite book or author. I did love hearing my dad read me the Harry Potter books and of course read them all myself when I was old enough.

4. How does it feel to see your books in shops and being sold?

I still get a tingly feeling each and every time I see any of my books on display in a shop. It’s only as I’m getting older that I’m starting to realise how amazing it is! Not that I’m going to ever be able to forget, as my dads always take pictures - it can be very embarrassing!

5. What is the best part about being an author?

The best part is hearing from readers who have read my books and loved them or that it has given them the confidence to do something new. My books are based on my life experiences and Charlie, the main character, is most definitely my alter-ego. I think it’s important for all children to see that being different isn’t something to be ashamed of. I guess that’s why I like to write about topics that can be difficult to understand - like fostering and adopting, having two dads as well as diversity and inclusion.

6. What are the "not so fun bits" in being an author?

In a word: rewrites…. It takes an army of people to publish a book. I have an amazing team supporting me. My dad’s, my agent Amber, my editor Sally, my publicist Bea. The list goes on. Without all these people around me, my books would not exist. But I still don’t like rewriting - especially when it’s just one or two words. 

7. Why do you think it is important for children to read?

I think it’s so important for all children to read because it opens up their eyes to a world of possibilities. It allows children to learn about life and how to make sense of the world around them. Books give us history, they give us hope, they give us dreams.

8. What is the inspiration for your books and writing?

Easy - myself. Don’t want to sound like my life is special - but it’s different from most children’s upbringing, so I wanted to give other children the opportunity to learn about what life can be like for children in care, or who experience being excluded. It’s important that nobody feels alone and I think if my messages help some children then my job is done. I want to continue to do this through writing.

9. Who gives you feedback on your drafts and how do you act on the feedback?

Writing a book can take a very long time! First I write the words, then my dad looks over it. He gives me his thoughts, but doesn’t ever change anything. It’s then sent to my literary agent, Amber, who looks it over and usually asks a few questions so she understands why I am writing what I am. She then sends this to my editor at Bloomsbury, Sally and this is where the work really begins. Sally comes back with her thoughts and those of the whole team at the publishers - and she is always super helpful even when she’s asking for any changes. Nick is also sent the initial draft so he can start thinking about how to illustrate what I have written.

Over the next few months the words and illustrations go back and forth. The first book was harder for me because I was younger and it was frustrating when I was asked to change something or write a new sentence. As far as I was concerned, I had written it and that was it, but now I’m older, I understand that everything has to fit together like a very complicated jigsaw puzzle. The words need to fit with the illustrations and vice versa. The words have to fit on the pages. It’s really complex and you need to be able to understand why certain things need to happen. But watching it all come together is amazing. And the day when I get the final draft complete with Nick’s illustrations is wonderful.

10. What do your friends think about you being a published author already?

I think they are proud of my achievements on and off the football pitch. I’ve certainly signed them copies when they’ve asked. It’s weird really because, although I’m proud of being an author, it’s only part of who I am. I don’t think about it every day because I’m always playing football, but it’s certainly a nice feeling when someone congratulates you on your achievements.

11. Finally, if you could read for an hour, on your own, anywhere in the world - where would it be?

Ahh easy. Thailand! It’s an amazing country. We went there a few years ago and I loved everything about it. From the people I met, to the places we explored. One island Koh Yao Noi was just amazing. I even got to play football with the local men’s team which was a real highlight.