I really enjoyed Jane Beaton’s first two books in the Downey House series Class and Rules so I was thrilled when we were offered the chance of interviewing Jane. Here it is for your reading pleasure, enjoy!

1. Tell us about your second Downey House book Rules.

Rules is about Maggie Adair’s second year of teaching at Downey House boarding school- she’s come from a rough comprehensive school in Glasgow and has found the refined world of a girl’s boarding school a very steel learning curve. She has to decide whether to follow her head or her heart; to return to Glasgow to do her bit for deprived kids, and marry her childhood sweetheart Stan, or to stay in Cornwall and see if she has a chance of being with the quirky English teacher at the local boy’s school, David MacDonald.

We also meet the head teacher, Dr Deveral, four second year pupils at Plantagenet House- Simone, the scholarship girl; Fliss, the unhappy teen, Alice, who is full of confidence and mischief, and new girl Zelda, an American whose father is serving in the local army base. She stirs things up a bit!

2. What can you tell us about the third book in the series? Does it have a title yet?

The third book is called Lessons, the fourth Tests. I can’t say TOO much about them yet I’m afraid!

3. You mention in your letters at the back of both Class and Rules that you plan for six titles in the Downey House series, is that still correct?

Oh, I hope so, that’s the length of the stories I want to tell!

4. You seem to have found a niche in the chick lit market, can you believe it’s taken so long for an author to write a fantastic Boarding School series?

Thanks, that’s so kind! I didn’t really think of it as a niche in the market, it was just exactly the book I wanted to read but no-one ever wrote them. I only wrote it for myself really; it’s my idea of a romantic lead, and my ideal headmistress! And it’s pure escapism- certainly to write, and I hope to read too.

5. Both Class and Rules have multiple plots and multiple characters how difficult is it to juggle so many different things at once?

I just like to pick up on different characters at different times and follow their stories through the school year- I remember being at school, you never thought about what the teachers might be going through. I remember one teacher burst into tears in class one day when I was at school, and we found out she was getting divorced. I was astonished she would even have a personal life. And of course, now I’m an adult, I tend to see groups of teenagers as a slightly amorphous mass, forgetting how intense an experience it is, being a teen- and also, how you’re sure at the time that you’re the only person on earth who feels this way! Both Fliss and Simone in the books are absolutely sure that no-one else could ever understand what they’re going through: I certainly felt that way myself when I was fourteen.

6. How did your publishing deal come about?

I was very lucky; I sent the books to an editor who liked them, and her boss, the publishing director really liked them too. It was a dream come true.

7. What’s your normal writing day like?

Well I walk the dog, then stop for coffee- I live in London- and try and write with a clear head when I get home!

8. What kind of books or author do you yourself like to read?

Oh, all sorts. I like Penny Vincenzi; Sophie Kinsella; Jon Krakeur, Dickens; Bill Bryson. I could be here all day. I love Carol Ann Duffy, I think she’s the best thing to happen to British poetry in years.

9. What’s the best thing about being a published author?

I never get over the thrill of actually holding one of my books! And it’s lovely to hear from people who’ve enjoyed them.

10. Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?

The only advice I think I’m qualified to give is write something you would like to read. You never know, other people might like to read it too!

Thanks Jane!

• Digg
• Stumble it!
• Reddit

• Author Interview: Alexandra Potter
• AW Author Interview: Elodia Strain
• Author Interview: Lucy-Anne Holmes