Piccadilly Press have recently published Konnie Huq’s debut children’s book series Cookie, a laugh-out-loud middle-grade sitcom I personally couldn’t put down. I’ve only just let my kids read it (it’s honestly that good)!
Cookie combines Huq’s own comedic upbringing with madcap science projects in a contemporary London Bangladeshi household and is one of the smartest and funniest children’s fiction series I’ve read.
Like me, you’ll know Konnie as a TV Presenter. Her first foray on television was presenting the satellite show TVFM at the tender age of 16. She went on to host various programmes such as Eat Your Words, a children’s quiz show on GMTV and VATV, a youth insert programme for Channel 5’s The Mag. This led to her becoming the host of Milkshake, Channel 5’s links for their youth programming, for a year. She even managed to get an Economics degree from Cambridge in between!
She is best known for being the longest serving member of the Blue Peter team (she finally managed to beat Val Singelton’s record) and has recently started presenting The Tube on Channel 4 Radio.
Her extensive television work extends beyond children’s television and includes co-presenting the CBBC’s UK Top 40 between 2002 and 2004.
In December 2009 Huq won the Best Rising Star Screenplay Angel award at the Monaco International Film Festival for the short story Ahmed and Mildred, which was selected to receive funding from Film London.
She co-wrote, with husband Charlie Brooker, the second episode of the Channel 4 anthology series Black Mirror, entitled Fifteen Million Merits. The episode received positive critical reception.
It’s an honour to interview Konnie here.
Describe a typical day for you?
Get up, drop kids at school, write book/ go to meetings/ meet a friend/ do a job/gig, collect kids, put kids to bed, watch box set/series on the go. Go to bed.
What do you feel are your biggest achievements?
Motherhood is a pretty big achievement for me, I feel I can hardly look after myself let alone two other human beings! Juggling life, work and kids is a constant achievement for me!! #smallwins!!
What’s in your handbag/ satchel?
Phone, snacks, wallet, moisturiser, bottle of water, keys, lip balm.
What are your ambitions in life?
To be happy all the time.
What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career you now know?
That it doesn’t really matter. As long as you’re happy with what you’re doing, everything else is just a bonus.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Where I am now, doing more of the same with kids that can look after themselves a bit more!
What advice would you give a budding author?
If you’re finding it hard to get published, keep persevering. Some of the best and moat successful authors got rejected multiple times before getting a deal. If you believe in your book and you’re finding it hard, consider self publishing.
What advice would you give a new parent?
Enjoy it while they’re young cos it goes so quickly. I can’t believe mine are both already in school. It’s like time is on fast forward!
Finally, happiness is…
Helping each other not helping yourself.
Cookie…And The Most Annoying Boy in The Word by Konnie Huq is out now for £10.99. Konnie will also be speaking at this year’s Cheltenham Literature Festival.
You can read more Wonderful Women interviews HERE.
Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio
My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence.
Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(UK 2nd Edition)
Available on Amazon or Audible
The Working Mom: Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(US/Canada Edition)
Available September 8th 2020. Order now on Amazon
