Wales Book of the Year Focus: Sarah Ziman
Ask the Author: Sarah Ziman
When did you first realise that you wanted to be an author?
I wrote and illustrated my first book on some stapled A4 printer paper when I was about 5, heavily inspired by Allan Ahlberg’s ‘Happy Families’ series, but it wasn’t until I hit my 40s that I wrote anything that might realistically be publishable!
What inspires you?
Listening in on public transport, stuff kids say, wordplay, social media (for all its ills), nature and generally looking at things slightly slantwise.
Your favourite place on earth and why?
Honestly, an air bnb in a new city is one of my favourite things. I love exploring somewhere I’ve never been. Maybe Italy, if I had to choose a country? But Norway was incredible too. I’m not really a huge sun-worshipper or beach lover (too much sand, and it’s basically just an uncomfortable place to read) but its abundance of rockpools means the Gower takes the top spot there.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve always got lots of books on the go, on my kindle app, on BorrowBox, probably an audio book and a library book by my bed! At the time of writing, I’m reading my way through the shortlist for the CLiPPA prize (poetry written for children).
What inspired the idea for your book?
‘Why did my brain make me say it?’ doesn’t have a theme per se, though I try to explain a little bit in the introduction that how my brain works (I have aphantasia and no ‘mind’s eye’) probably strongly influences how I write and how the collection came together. People often hear this and think it equates to no imagination, but that’s not the case at all! A number of the poems were inspired by things my two boys reported once they started school, and I did think back to my own childhood, but not with ‘days past’ nostalgia – rather it was wonderment at how much was actually universal about family, friends and the school experience! I’m not sure what inspires the stranger ones – usually just asking a ‘what if…?’ type of question.
Will you read a piece from it please?!
Who should read your book and why?
Everyone who has ever been a child, is a child, or knows a child – from 7 to 107! Who doesn’t want to know what would happen if Medusa went to the hairdressers?!
How does it feel to have reached the WBOTY 2025 Shortlist?
Absolutely incredible – it means the world, particularly as poetry for children is a bit of a niche within a niche, so I’m thrilled to represent it within the children’s and young people’s category where novels have been more common. It’s also sorted my Goodreads reading list for the next few months! Diolch o galon to all the judges and to anyone voting in the readers’ choice poll.
Do you have any other work/events in the works?
I have exchanged contracts for another two collections for children, though they have yet to be announced so I can’t say too much. I’m looking forward to being part of the Cheltenham Festival schools programme in October as this will be my first literary festival.
In the words of the judges…
Praise for Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It?
