Hi Ann. Thank you for taking part in this interview and even more so for contributing to our cause.  Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thank you for having me!  I’m so happy to help such an absolutely good cause.

I’m currently working on my second novel for young adults, and regard myself primarily as a novelist, although short stories are fun too.  My first novel, The Other Side of the Whale Road by K A Hayton has done well (for a first novel by a complete unknown), been shortlisted for some awards, and there’s currently discussion happening about a dramatised version, all of which has made me very happy. It’s YA fiction, so it has a coming of age theme, and also explores ideas of identity, community, and otherness.

I have written fiction since I was old enough to hold a pen without wanting to put it in my mouth.  I can’t imagine not writing.  It helps me make sense of a world which seems too often to be cruel and senseless.

I’m retired now from my career as a Suffolk health visitor, which means I can concentrate on walking my dog, playing netball and writing.  I’m also a JP, and sit on the Ipswich magistrates’ bench.

Foodbanks have become a part of our life.  What started as a means to support those in financial difficulty has now turned into a long-term lifeline for many.  Do you think that we will ever be free of them, or do you believe they will be here to stay?

I rather think they are here to stay, which is pretty damning.  I cannot imagine any person in authority wanting to go on the record as the person who abolished them.  Of course, in a wealthy country it is easy to see them (or rather, the need for them) as an abomination, and I suppose in a way they are, but on the other hand there are so many families and individuals who struggle.  Life is hard for many in a way that lots of us cannot easily fathom.  And that being so, I am thankful for food banks, and the people who staff them.  When I was working as a health visitor in Ipswich and Felixstowe, I used FIND a lot.  A lot.  They never said they weren’t able to help, and countless families were supported throughout hard times.  Every Christmas FIND would make a massive difference to children whose families were struggling.

Do you think it is down to the volunteers and fellow man to keep food banks going or should the government be doing more to intervene?

Frankly, I’d rather the politicians kept well away from the management of a community resource.  It would be used as a political tool, and the idea of this is abhorrent.  I think that every one of us has a responsibility to help others if we can, and thus we should all be supporting local responses to hunger/struggle/difficulty … when I see the vast array of food on sale in supermarkets (fifteen different varieties of honey), or think about food waste (a third of food bought by households is thrown away) it makes me realise the problem is largely one of distribution.  Which is precisely what food banks do. 

Here at Urban Pigs Press we believe that the indie writing scene is an incredible place of support.  From fellow writers to zines and indie presses.  Who is your favourite writer in the indie community and why?

I agree, although I am traditionally published.  The issue with traditional publishing is that  – obviously –  it’s a business and businesses need to make money.  So there is a great deal of wonderful, idiosyncratic, powerful writing that won’t get anywhere via agents or trad publishing houses, because it isn’t commercial enough to generate a profit. Please note – ‘profitable’ and ‘good writing’ are not necessarily the same!  So independent publishing gives a voice to these writers, and we are culturally richer because of this.  I am part of the Suffolk writing community, and have read some amazing stuff.  I loved Russell Webb’s memoir ‘Love Beyond Love’ – this made me cry and I don’t cry easily. 

Tell us about your latest work? Do you have any books you would like our readers to know about?

Well, I think I’ve already said enough about The Other Side of the Whale Road, I don’t want to bore you! The trouble is, I’m such a slow writer that a full length novel takes me ages.  I find it takes it out of me so much that I have to stop after 500 words and do something else.  Whale Road was published at the end of 2021, and I have just finished the first draft of my second novel.  See, very slow!  The provisional title is Two Square Acres under the Sky.  It’s YA and historical fiction again, although I have come right up to date this time, as it’s set during the second world war.

How did you first hear about Urban Pigs Press?

Through the Suffolk Writers group.  I read about the Hunger anthology and wanted to send a contribution, partly because I am so professionally indebted to and supportive of FIND, and also because it was such an interesting prompt word.  I love a challenge, and that was a good one – thank you.

Thank you for these brilliant answers. Keeping the politicians well away from foodbanks is a really good point. I hadn’t thought about it that way. We’re really proud to have you onboard with this anthology, I think it’s a real asset to have somebody involved who has a personal connection with what we are doing and of course with FIND. Your story ‘A Dead Dog’s Eye’ is a delicious piece of realism and its a great take on the prompt. Looking forward to hearing people’s opinions.

A DEAD DOG’S EYE is the story of an ex pat who left England to live in Thailand at the conclusion of his custody term following an appalling crime.  He has resolutely not given home/family/his criminal history a second thought during all the years he has lived abroad.  However, on his deathbed he finds himself consumed with longing for his homeland, and with an overwhelming hunger for the tastes of his childhood, which represent for him all he has lost.

Read it from March the 7th in the Hunger anthology.

Ann Hayton is a Suffolk based author of primarily Young Adult fiction.  Her first novel, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WHALE ROAD (by K A Hayton) was published by Lightning Books in 2021, and was shortlisted for the East Anglian Book Award 2022 and the New Angle Prize 2023.  She has had several short stories published, and is currently working on her second novel.

A DEAD DOG’S EYE was borne out of her experiences working in prisons and the justice system, and from her knowledge and experience of her husband’s home country in the Far East.

Newly retired, she is using her delightful freedom to write, walk dogs and play as much sport as possible.

https://www.eye-books.com/books/the-other-side-of-the-whale-road

Instagram ka_hayton_books

Facebook   Ann Hayton

Twitter (X) @haytonka

Member of Suffolk Writers Group (Facebook group)

Release date for the HUNGER anthology!

We have good news! The release date for the HUNGER anthology is set for the 7th March. Initial release will be through Amazon and Kindle but we hope to have physical copies in local book shops soon after. One place you can be sure to find this incredible collection will be Dial Lane Books in Ipswich. Andrew has been as much a part of this fantastic cause as all our contributors. We couldn’t be any more excited to share this with everyone. 23 different authors have given up their time and talent to help us make a difference to those in need and we are beyond grateful to each and everyone one of you. Jo Andrews has gone above and beyond to deliver us a cover that represents everything we set out to do. Cody Sexton has also contributed with an incredible piece of talent for our title page. We are both proud and humbled by the incredible efforts of everyone involved. Stephen J. Golds and Rob Jelly (BBC Suffolk) have also given their time to praise this darkly beautiful collection.

As part of our promotion for the anthology we will be posting interviews from the authors involved. Judging by some of the answers given already, I can confirm that we really have discovered a great bunch of humans in this anthology.

This book won’t put an end to poverty or hunger. Neither will it change the agendas of our politicians. But it will make a direct impact to a few of those we hope to represent. And for now, we’ll take it. So, please set that date in your calendar and help us to make that difference.

The Hunger anthology is a collection of 23 stories by 23 different authors. Tales of brutal reality, dark horror, gritty crime and dark humour sprawled out upon each page. Each story delivering a unique take on the prompt HUNGER. A true representation of some of the strongest talents within the writing community.

“A collection of stories that are as close to the bone in literary class as they are in their scathing analysis of a broken society.”

– Stephen J. Golds

Author of Say Goodbye When I’m Gone