When did you start writing and why?

Having dabbled for many years for fun, I started writing my first novel Zinc over ten years ago as an exciting challenge. I had had a lightbulb moment on the way to my day job and realised I had quite a story on my hands: my dad was a Bletchley Park codebreaker, his brother a Special Operations agent and their sister was marooned as a Jewish woman in Hungary in WW2. See www.sueklauberbooks.com

What is your favourite book that you’ve written?

Can’t choose between Zinc and the sequel called Cobalt! Maybe the third when it becomes a trilogy.

What were you like as a child?

Really into reading of course as well as art and making things. Not outdoorsy or sporty at all unfortunately! I had a close group of girl friends who I had fun with and I loved our Norwich terrier Pepe.

What superpower would you like to have?

I would like a big red alarm button which I would be able to set off from the future if I was about to make a bad decision! I feel guilty that most authors will probably say that they would like to have the ability to end the world’s conflicts, which is the number one for me outside of my little life.

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

No pets now but I’d love a black labrador.

Where do you write and what do you use?

I write on a laptop and, if I can, I work at my son’s desk as he lives elsewhere, or the kitchen table when he is home.

What happens in your virtual author sessions?

I show a rich PowerPoint of beautiful photographs introducing the people behind my novels when they were children and when they were grownups. I talk through my detective work about the real-life characters and how I created the fictional ones as it wasn’t possible to accurately reflect all that my father and his siblings did, due to them no longer being alive and the Official Secrets Act stopping them telling us anything when they were.  I make the talks as interactive and relevant to pupils as possible, depending on the age-group.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

I really enjoy the plotting stages and once a book is done, I love to meet my middle-grade/YA readers. Older people with an interest in WW2 also really engage so I have given talks in retirement living and community centres as well as schools.

What’s your favourite book to read?

I was blown away by When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler. I also love what I’ve read of Tom Palmer and Dan Smith and Miriam Halamhy.

And finally, what’s your top writing tip?

Do it because you love it, not in pursuit of fame and fortune. The fun of a creative challenge is unbeatable.

Book a virtual visit with Sue on her website at www.sueklauberbooks.com