AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Today we are talking to Cornish fiction writer Melanie Stephens about her upcoming book, The attempted demise of Augusta Walsh age 15 years, 4 months, and 6 days. More than 70% of teens say they and their peers suffer from anxiety, depression, or both. So Melanie decided to help.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE INSPIRATION BEHIND AUGUSTA WALSH AND WHAT YOU HOPED TO ACHIEVE?

As soon as I became aware of how badly mental health issues impact the Gen Z generation, I had to look closer. The numbers have trebled in the last two years; it’s a real problem affecting many young people today. I wanted to know how it felt to be a teenager today with additional pressures of social media, the worries about the future, our planet, and with so much focus on identity of gender and sexuality. I want as many teenagers as possible to know they are not alone. Unfortunately, so many believe they are the only ones who feel this way, as hardly anyone talks about it. Hopefully, Augusta can bring them some comfort and give them someone they can really relate to.

WHO EXACTLY IS AUGUSTA, AND WHY IS SHE WORTH KNOWING?

Ah, Augusta! She’s awesome. She is 15 and going through a bit of a hard time. She is talented at art and used to be outgoing doing school productions, a star pupil in virtually every subject, so she’s smart. But in the last year or two, Augusta has gone further and further inside herself. She doesn’t see herself how others do, there’s bullying, and she doesn’t know her own value. But Augusta is thoughtful, caring about issues, and funny. A key friendship dynamic has changed, and Augusta doesn’t know where she belongs. Augusta is a hidden treasure and holds so much power. She just doesn’t realise it. Augusta Walsh’s a typical teen, I suppose.

AMAZING COVER AGAIN!

Thank you! I do love my covers!

THE ART AND DOODLES THROUGHOUT THE NOVEL REALLY SET IT APART FROM MOST OF THE OTHER BOOKS OUT THERE.

Thank you, as Augusta is an artist, it’s the main thing she likes to do. So it made sense to me that if it was her notebook, she would naturally draw all over it. I thought it would also help engage even the most reluctant reader. We live in a visual age; TikTok and Instagram are all driven by visual entertainment. So I wanted Augusta to appeal to as many teens as possible. Plus, it gave an extra insight into what was happening inside Augusta’s head. She draws and sketches as a form of expressing herself and therapy.

THE NOVEL WAS WRITTEN AS A DIARY. HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT THAT The attempted demise of Augusta Walsh age 15 years, 4 months, and 6 days WAS IN THE FIRST PERSON?

Vital. Augusta doesn’t talk about it like many people suffering from depression and anxiety. We needed her voice, her thoughts; she needed people to understand.

THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN AUGUSTA AND DAKOTA IS ONE OF THE MAIN DRIVING FORCES IN THE BOOK. CAN YOU TALK A BIT ABOUT THAT?

Augusta and Dakota have been best friends forever. They are both pretty similar in insecurities, so when their social status suddenly changes, they struggle in different ways. When you have been friends and spent what feels like your whole life together, it’s hard when things shift onto a different path. But at their core, Augusta and Dakota care about each other deeply. Friendship is massively important along with friendship groups during adolescence, so I knew if I had to portray a 15-year-old accurately, a big focus had to be on that.

WERE YOU WORRIED ABOUT WRITING ABOUT YOUNG ILL MENTAL HEALTH?

It was a challenge but an important one. With so many young people experiencing ill mental health, there should be a book that deals with it within 21st-century teenage life. I worked with experts to ensure the subject was handled with sensitivity but kept relatable and authentic. Also, they made sure I didn’t unknowingly negatively influence anyone. It did concern me that as we are inside Augusta’s head, it could be hard going or hard to read, but everyone who has read it so far has read it so fast! Within a day, I was a bit relieved.

AND FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE READING THE NOVEL?

I hope people see they are not alone in thoughts or feelings. I hope people see Augusta as proof that there is help out there. You are not powerless. Augusta goes through so much, yet all that happens is real, and she reaches dark depths that keep getting increasingly further into the mindset that there is no way out. I want people to see beyond Augusta’s perception of herself. As we discover what’s underneath Augusta’s mask, I hope any sufferers recognise the benefits of lowering theirs. She goes from being invisible to being spectacular. They can too.

THE ATTEMPTED DEMISE OF AUGUSTA WALSH AGE 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS, AND 6 DAYS IS AVAILABLE FROM 15 AUGUST, FROM AMAZON, APPLE BOOKS, KOKO, AND BARNES AND NOBLE.

FOLLOW MELANIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE http://www.melaniestephensauthor.com