Interviews

Ashley Thorpe’s debut children's book, The Boy to Beat the Gods, brings African mythology to life in a way that hasn’t been seen much in modern children’s literature. Born in Britain with Jamaican roots, Thorpe has always been curious about his heritage. His new book tells the story of Kayode, a young boy who gains the power of the Orishas to save his sister and protect his people. In this interview, Thorpe talks about how his background and personal experiences influenced his writing. He shares the challenges of getting published and explains why it's important for children’s books to include diverse characters and stories. Thorpe’s vision is to create a more inclusive world of stories where every child can see themselves as the hero. Tell us about your background. Ashley Thorpe: I was born in Britain. My grandparents on both sides came from Jamaica. Unfortunately, I don’t know much beyond that. I do know that my heritage includes places like present-day Nigeria, Ghana, and Mali. My curiosity about this link has grown over the years, especially during my university days and into adulthood. I've been on a journey to learn more about this incredible continent and to reconnect with the knowledge that has been lost over time. I also have a strong interest in studying mythology from various cultures. Growing up in Europe, I was mostly exposed to Greek and Norse mythology in school. Beyond that, I’ve had to explore on my own. My granddad used to share a lot of Caribbean folklore with me, like Anansi – Ghanaian originated stories – which sparked my fascination even more. What are your hobbies? Ashley Thorpe: When I was a child, I used to draw comics a lot. As I grew older, I shifted my focus more towards writing. I also have a deep love for music and a passion for travelling and exploring the natural world. You’ll notice in my book that the landscapes and terrains play a significant role. I find the natural world incredibly rejuvenating, and the Baobab tree, in particular, has a central place in my story. What actually inspired you to write a story based on a myth? Ashley Thorpe: My fascination with myths began when I saw items in museums, wrote them down, and tried to learn more about them and the civilisations from which they arose. I was interested in Yoruba mythology, particularly the parallels between the pantheon of the Orishas and gods from other pantheons. For example, Zeus is associated with lightning in Greek mythology. In the Yoruba canon, Sango is related to thunder, lightning, and fire. When I first started writing this narrative, the idea was to pit one courageous boy against wicked gods. What could be more high-stakes than confronting true gods? So I realised that there was an excellent opportunity to make something unique using current Orisha mythology. Initially, I found it difficult to imagine a scenario in which one boy could combat all of these gods. But when I read more about the Orishas, I realised that they aren't flawless characters. They too have flaws in their tales. That inspired how I developed the characters and plotline. For example, in the creation story, Obatala does not complete the creation process because he is drunk on tavern palm wine. So I thought about how to include this into the plot. How can Kayode and his friends exploit this weakness? It was a really interesting thing to do. Did you face any challenge in writing your novel? Ashley Thorpe: What I would say is that the more you write, the easier it becomes. Although this is my debut book. it's actually the third manuscript that I've written. I had two books before this, but I couldn't find an agent for them. So, all of that experience and everything that I've learned helped in creating this one. My present challenge is deadlines and the pressure of having a book deal rather than unlimited time. I am now under contract so I have to meet strict deadlines. If there's anything a writer hates so much, it's rejection. It's like someone telling you that you are not good enough. You faced rejection twice when two of your manuscripts were rejected. How were you able to handle that and motivate yourself to write a third one? Ashley Thorpe: Two of my manuscripts were rejected by multiple agents. But that is part of the writer's experience. You need to have thick skin and believe in yourself. I write because, despite previous rejections, I know I can do it. I had something to say, and I would not stop until it was out of my soul. Having a network of people who are going through the same experience is also beneficial. I had friends who were writers. We'd get together and compose prompt pieces together. We'd make up different stories based on the same prompt words, and we'd share and feedback. We knew we were going through the same struggles with getting on and hoping to sign with an agent. So it was extremely beneficial and kept me encouraged to keep going. I think writing is a weird industry because there is no certainty in anything. But you just have to hope that someday you'll learn enough, really, and take something from all of that experience, and know what might work. I write because, despite previous rejections, I know I can do it. I had something to say, and I would not stop until it was out of my soul - Ashley Thorpe Tell us about your day as a writer. Do you have specific writer routines or rituals? Ashley Thorpe: I work as an editor and in children's publishing. I also assist other writers who are on similar journeys to my own, sharing the knowledge I've accumulated over the years to help them reach the point where they can publish their books. Knowing the best time of day for my writing has helped me create a consistent routine. I usually do my editing in the evenings, but my best writing and ideas come in the morning. This consistency matters more to me than the word count. Whether I write 1,000 words, 500 words, or even just 200 words in a day, progress is progress. It's not always about having a prolific day; sometimes, any forward movement is valuable, especially when balancing a full-time job. To keep track of my writing, I maintain a spreadsheet to record my daily progress. This allows me to look back month by month and see my growth, which continues to motivate me. Consistency, even in small increments, is key to making meaningful progress. So having a tracker will help one monitor their progress? Ashley Thorpe: Yeah, I’d recommend that. When you see it visually, it really does spur you on. You want to say, yeah, we are getting somewhere. Who are the authors that have influenced you, shaped your writing, and inspired you to write? Ashley Thorpe: There are a couple of writers who were pivotal in my journey. The first is Malorie Blackman. Growing up in the UK as a minority, I faced not only class barriers but also the construct of race. In children's literature, the default has always been whiteness. I read many books as a kid, but it wasn't until I was about seven years old that I encountered a book by Malorie Blackman. I was shocked and speechless because I had never seen a character who looked like me on a book cover before. By that age, I had internalized the idea that people who looked like me couldn't be heroes in stories. Discovering her work was a pivotal moment. It made me realize that I, too, could be a hero and write about black characters. Before that, I would write stories with white characters because that was all I saw in the books I read. Representation matters. Growing up with the belief that whiteness is the default can lead to self-censorship, making it seem like you don't fit into the default framework as a black person. Representation helps break that mindset and allows for a broader understanding of who can be a hero and a storyteller. Reading Blackman's work centered me in a way nothing else had. The second writer who inspired me is Richard Wright. I was profoundly moved by his autobiography, Black Boy. I remember reading it while on holiday in Italy, just before my second year of university. It inspired me to start writing my novel. That first attempt was terrible, but it became the manuscript I would work on for about ten years. In my early twenties, I lacked discipline, but the inspiration I drew from Wright's work kept me going. What's your advice to aspiring authors? Ashley Thorpe: Firstly, you need to understand the market. Whatever genre or age group you write for, read what's current in the market from the last two to three years. This isn’t about copying others; it’s about understanding what is currently selling and finding your voice within that space. Being able to say, “My book would sit alongside these titles on the shelf,” shows agents and publishers that you understand the market. That makes you a stronger and more marketable writer. Also, find your community. Writing can be a solitary endeavour, filled with self-doubt and fluctuating motivation. Finding your community—whether it's a writing group, a network of peers, or a mentor—can provide invaluable support. Sharing your journey, getting feedback, writing together, or simply enjoying the camaraderie can keep you grounded and motivated. You also need perseverance. One key difference between many writers and those who succeed is perseverance. If you persevere, someday, you will become lucky. Luck plays a part in success, but it only comes to those who are prepared. Keep honing your craft and continue writing. When an opportunity arises, you’ll be ready to seize it. Luck plays a part in success, but it only comes to those who are prepared - Ashley Thorpe. How do you want to be remembered as a writer? What legacy do you hope to leave? Ashley Thorpe: I just had my book launch a few nights ago, and I told the interviewer that this has been a long-time dream for me. Finally seeing my name on the cover and sharing my story with the world is incredible. Everything else that comes from this, like awards, is just a bonus. For me, the real goal is to have the same impact that Malorie Blackman's book had on me as a kid. I want to show people who look like me that they can be heroes too. If my stories can help them escape and see themselves in a fantasy world, that would be amazing. That’s what really matters to me. Do you have any goals for the next few years, genres, projects that you aim to explore? Ashley Thorpe: So, I have a two-book deal, and right now we're editing the second book, which is set to come out around summer 2025. Beyond that, I hope to get another deal with the same publisher because I have a great relationship with my editor. From our first meeting, I knew we were on the same wavelength. She understands what I'm trying to achieve, isn't intrusive, and knows how to get the best out of me. She'll suggest adding more battle scenes or details, which has been a fascinating experience since my books have been edited up rather than cut down. I have ideas for what I want to do next, but I haven't shared them with my editor yet—only my agent has seen the first three chapters. I can’t say much about them right now, but they will always centre on kids of colour and explore interesting aspects of Diaspora stories in an exciting and entertaining way. How do you grow and develop as a writer? Do you have, do you take prompts? Do you have exercises to do? Ashley Thorpe: I have notes on my desk from courses I took years ago, and I’m refreshing myself on those foundational things I need to keep in mind. Friends also recommend books to me, and I try different techniques to see what works. Just yesterday, I was at a friend’s book launch, and she told me about something called a character diamond. Before she starts writing, she spends time with her characters, mapping out their good points and flaws. She really gets to know them before writing. I usually make a profile for my characters, but I haven’t interacted with them like that. I thought it was a cool idea, and I might try it for my next book. Any last words? Ashley Thorpe: I hope people will buy The Boy to Beat the Gods and enjoy it. It's the story of my heart. So I hope readers, especially young ones, will enjoy it.

Akpata Magazine

Akpata Magazine

Interviews

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