Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Joe Weatherstone!
‘When the going gets RUFF, Maddy’s on the case!‘ Here is the perfect introduction to a gorgeously heartwarming dog detective story! We’re wagging with excitement to welcome talented TV producer and author, Joe Weatherstone, to share the story behind her debut middle grade novel for dog lovers everywhere – Queen of Dogs. A compelling mystery with heart at its core, this is the tale of an unbreakable bond between Maddy and her puppy pal, Gusto, with plenty of surprises and chin-wagging along the way!
Thank you, Joe, for sharing your own pet-inspired story that helped shape this beautiful book. (We adore the cover, too!) 🙂 x
About the Author
Joe Weatherstone is a Creative Producer whose work includes the Oscar-nominated ‘Inja’, two seasons of the International Emmy-winning kid’s series ‘Hardball’, the Logie-winning cult show ‘Housos’, the critically acclaimed film ‘Killing Ground’ (Sundance official selection) and most recently she produced ‘Austin’ TV show. She has several drama concepts optioned and works in scripted for Northern Pictures.
Joe lives in Sydney with her family and her two dogs.
Please find Joe Weatherstone at her Queen of Dogs website and on Instagram.
Queen of Dogs can be purchased from the Walker Books website.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Joe Weatherstone is the author of Queen of Dogs, published by Walker Books, who designed the cover and cute dog heads as chapter headers.
WHAT is it about?
Queen of Dogs is about 11-year-old Maddy who lives in the shadow of her high achieving family. Feeling like her family don’t get her, she pours all her love and energy into her pug, Gusto. When Gusto goes missing and no-one seems to care Maddy goes it alone to find him. While out searching she is accidently bitten by Chompsky, a lost Irish wolfhound and Maddy can suddenly hear what dogs are saying and the best bit… they understand her too. Chompsky and Maddy make a deal to help each other but along the way word gets out that Maddy can help fix dog problems and she is constantly diverted from her search. However, helping all these other dogs ultimately wins her loyalty and they help her in return.
What is your favourite part of this book?
I love the hospital chapter and was pleased it survived the editing process. Maddy knows all the dogs in her street – there one dog called Holly who is always chained up, never walked or inside. Maddy thinks the owners are terrible people. When she and Chompsky are looking for Chompsky’s owner she comes across the owners in a children’s hospital and follows them to find their young son is gravely ill. She realises this is why they don’t have time for Holly. In a way Holly and the neighbour’s sick boy brings the street together and makes them help each other out at the end.
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
I did a lot of thinking about the story when my kids were in primary school. I started writing synopses and doing some character work in 2019 before starting the writing process in 2020. I wrote for a few hours on weekends, evenings, and in any downtime that I could find between my full-time job and family, so it took quite a long time. I also sought the help of independent editors between drafts, so there were quite long periods of no writing while waiting for feedback.
When is its release / launch date?
June 5th, 2024.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
My dog obsessed daughter Autumn and our (then) dog Tilly were the inspiration. Autumn, just like Maddy, dances to a tune only dogs can hear, and I had to learn to live more like her not the other way around. At school pickup kids came from all directions descending on our dog Tilly for even the briefest of pats. There was a little bit of competition for the dogs affection, she wants me, she likes me best…which made me wonder what it would be like if all dogs loved you and chose you. I wanted this for Autumn – thus Queen of Dogs. What if…
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
There are many things I’m passionate about which I got to explore a little in this book. My love for dogs, how they fill up our worlds, how they are all individuals. The book is about the loss of Tilly and how it affected our family. It’s also a comment about our experience of the education system, our kids don’t all fit one box and we need to see and hear the quiet and different ones. This book is the first book I’ve written so it’s also meaningful because I have always wanted to write and didn’t believe I could.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
The plot of the story is a hunt for Maddy’s missing dog and learning to live with the new ability to hear what they are saying. Queen of Dogs has young characters with relatable qualities and issues. Friendships are so important when you’re young but not everyone finds those friendships quickly. School is a melting pot of personalities and school yard tiffs. It can be difficult to feel like you fit in.
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
Walker Books have done a fabulous job designing the cover. Its fun style stands out on the shelves and draws in dog lovers. Initially I had my own vision for the cover, but I’m glad I trusted my publisher’s decision to choose a different art style as a hook.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
Outside of the publisher’s marketing I’m working with KEAN & Creative, who curated a social media and PR plan to support the launch of Queen of Dogs and establish an online profile for me as an author. I now have a website and presence across social media platforms, which enabled me to connect with influencers as well as traditional booksellers. I’m not a great self-promoter, so it’s been amazing to have them and I’m excited to see the effect of this investment in the coming weeks and months.  Â
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
Please find information about Queen of Dogs at www.queenofdogs.com/.
Thanks so much, Joe! It’s been a delight to hear about your heartwarming story! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #queenofdogs #friendships #pets #middlegrade #justkidslit
