When did you start writing and why?

I wrote my first poem when I was about five or six years old. You can actually see a selection of my old school work on my website. Some of my spelling is not very good! I became a professional performance poet in about 2013, and my first book, I Don’t Like Poetry, was published by Bloomsbury in 2016. 

What is your favourite book that you’ve written or illustrated?

I am very fond of my book Little Lemur Laughing. It came out straight after my first book, so it didn’t get quite as much attention. It is a book of poems aimed at younger children, aged roughly 3-7, and it’s maybe my only book where I wouldn’t change anything.

What were you like as a child?

I used to cry a lot as a baby, apparently. As a small child I was always in a little world of my own. As I grew older I got a bit more cheeky. I enjoyed football, dinosaurs and aeroplanes. 

What superpower would you like to have?

I would love to be able to talk to animals, but I’m not sure they would have anything interesting to say! My cat certainly wouldn’t…

Do you have any pets or what imaginary pet would you have?

I have a cat called Bluebell. She’s lazy, entitled, meowy, and I love her very much. I’ve got several poems about her, actually.

Where do you write and what do you use?

I often compose poems in my head whilst I am on the toilet or in the shower. I like to write poems in my head whilst I am going for a walk, and I visit lots of schools all over the country, so I frequently write on trains and buses, in my little notebook which I carry around with me.

What happens in your virtual author sessions?

An explosion of fun, that’s what happens! I will introduce people to Bluebell, perform some poems, and do some really fun creative writing activities. I also love to answer questions, which schools can send me via the ‘chat’ function. 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Visiting schools, speaking to people, inspiring them and sometimes making them laugh. I also get a real thrill when I see my books in bookshops. There is no feeling like it. 

What’s your favourite book to read?

My favourite author is Charles Dickens, and my favourite book of his is probably Great Expectations.

And finally, what’s your top writing tip?

Write about stuff you are interested in! That’s why I write a lot about Bluebell. I also write about mashed potato, as I am obsessed with the stuff. (I’m not really.)

You can book a virtual visit with Joshua through his website at www.joshuaseigal.co.uk.