Not a lot of award-winning philosophers and authors also have children around the world knowing their names. When I showed my young niece Damon Young’s picture, she said, ‘that guy? Yeah, I know him’!

He is the author or editor of eleven books, and has been translated into twelve languages. His most recent nonfiction is The Art of Reading, and his most recent fiction for children is My Mum is a Magician. How’s that for diverse output?

Damon has recently been out and about on a book tour but found some quiet time to show us his creative space — thank you!

Where are you working from today?

My study, in Hobart. Very quiet. Except for my horror at the silence.

What are you working on?

A novel for kids, which is due to my publishers in January. It’s one volume of a middle-grade duology.

How’s it going?

Well, I’m enjoying it so far. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

When you get stuck, what doing you do?

I go for a walk. Or do some pushups. Or stare into the distance. Or make tea. Or stare into the distance with cold tea.

Who sees your earliest draft?

My kids (9 & 12) will read this one first.