Sally Nicholls talks about her YA Book Prize-shortlisted novel, Yours from the Tower

What inspired the story?

Lots of things! I’ve wanted to write a YA epistolary novel since I fell in love with Jaclyn Moriarty’s Ashbury/Brookfield books. I’ve also wanted to write a book with a fairy tale thread since reading Nicky Singer’s wonderful Feather Boy. And, of course, there are several fairy tales referenced in the story, including Petrosinella, The Brothers who were Turned into Swans and Cinderella.

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

The book is mostly a celebration of female friendship. There’s a lot in there about life for women in late Victorian Britain, but at heart it’s a warm hug of a book. I wanted reading it to feel the way I felt reading books like Anne of Green Gables or Little Women — both escapist but with a deeper layer as well.

Which character is your favourite, and why?

I can’t pick one favourite! Polly is the closest to me. Tirzah and Sebastian were the most fun to write. I have a soft spot for Mr Thompson too.

What does being on this year’s YA Book Prize shortlist mean to you?

It’s wonderful that a prize celebrating YA books exists, and it’s wonderful that a gentle, romantic, kind book like mine could find it’s way onto the shortlist. It’s a huge privilege, and not something I ever take for granted even after 15 years in this business.

How do you think the YA genre has changed over the last 10 years?

Ten years ago we were still at the tail end of the Twilight obsession — I’m very glad we aren’t there anymore! Modern YA is much less heteronormative, more inclusive, and more diverse, which I think is brilliant. Fan fiction is a much larger influence than it was 10 years ago. I think UK YA is still struggling because of the dominance of American YA, which is a problem — and another reason why the YA book prize is such a good thing for the industry!

Why do you write for young adults?

I love the freedom I have to write in lots of different genres. And I like the hopefulness inherent to YA. No matter how bad things get for my characters (and they get pretty bad!) there’s always hope.

What was your favourite book as a teenager?

Guards, Guards by Terry Pratchett. Night Watch is my favourite Discworld novel, but that didn’t come out until I was 18 years old — so still technically a teenager, I suppose.

What do you need around you when you’re writing?

Just a laptop, some coffee and a warm place to work.

What songs would be on a playlist for your book?

Oh, goodness, I don’t know! I’m not very up on Victorian music, I’m afraid. Maybe the music from Tchaikovsky’s "Swan Lake" or "Sleeping Beauty"?

Which book, film or TV show would you recommend to someone who enjoyed your book?

If you want to find out more about the Victorian season and life for Victorian women, Consequences by E M Delafield is worth reading. It doesn’t end happily though. If you want some hilarious epistolary YA, try Feeling Sorry for Celia and sequels by Jaclyn Moriarty. Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster or Little Women by Lousia May Alcott are contemporary Victorian and Edwardian novels which have something of the feel of Yours from the Tower. And if you want a brilliant teen novel with a fairy tale feel, Nicky Singer’s Feather Boy is a masterpiece.