How does it feel to be a woman who writes gross and disgusting stuff?
I love it! I think I was a boy in a past life. When I was little I loved doing boy stuff – catching cicadas, collecting spiders, concocting potions, playing with clay and mud. I had short hair, hated dresses and could out-run, out-climb any boy in the neighbourhood. Even today my husband says I’m not a real woman because I hate shopping and I can read a map. Has the fact that you are a woman had any influence on your work? Not in terms of writing but definitely in terms of publishing. HarperCollins asked if I would mind being published as J.A. Mawter, rather than Jeni Mawter. They were worried boys would not read my work if they knew I was a woman. It was also decided that I not reveal my identity. That meant I could not do any promotional appearances. It felt very odd writing a book without being able to go public. You are being interviewed now, so what changed their mind? When So Gross! came out and I wasn’t allowed to actively market it, I felt sort of cheated. I felt like someone w
