The Quick Six Interview with Verity Croker on ALBA – Hidden Secrets

Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Verity Croker!

We’re delighted to have children’s and YA author, Verity Croker, on the blog, to share her newest, gripping novel for young adult readers, ALBA – Hidden Secrets. After successful writing competition results (Pitch It! 2021) and an ASA mentorship, this is a well-deserved and anticipated publication that will surely leave a lasting impression on its readers. Ultimately a story of love and finding the healing powers of the heart, Alba delves into navigating loss, hidden secrets and broken dreams, all incapsulated in a riveting blend of mystery and intrigue. Intensely beautiful!

Thanks so much, Verity! Congratulations! 🙂

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About the Author

Verity Croker is an internationally published author. Her young adult books are published by Harmony Ink Press, US, and GenZ Publishing, US. Her junior fiction and non-fiction titles are published by Sunshine Books/ Wendy Pye Ltd, NZ.

Verity also writes short stories, travel tales, and poetry. She belongs to many writing organisations including SCBWI, QWC, FAWQ, and Writelinks.

A trained teacher, Verity also has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Tasmania.

Please find Verity Croker at her Linktr.ee site at: veritycroker | Linktree and on Instagram and Facebook.

ALBA – Hidden Secrets is available for purchase through Verity Croker’s Linktr.ee.

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WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?

Verity Croker is the author of ALBA – Hidden Secrets published by GenZ Publishing, US. The cover art is by Fiona Suherman.

WHAT is it about?

ALBA – Hidden Secrets explores the delicate balance between love and loss, secrecy and truth, and the healing power of sharing one’s heart with those willing to listen.

Sixteen-year-old Rebecca is mourning the loss of her boyfriend Alastair, with whom she had a secret relationship. Her best friend Calum, the brother of her late boyfriend, is unaware of Rebecca and Alastair’s relationship. After discovering a buried suitcase in an icehouse on the beach, Rebecca and Calum grow closer as they work together to solve the mystery behind its contents. A 19^th century diary written in code also hides secrets. As Rebecca decodes the diary, she finds Martha, the sixteen-year-old writer, had a life which echoes her own.

What is your favourite part of this book?

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but my favourite part of the book is a scene between Rebecca and Alastair.

WHEN did you begin writing this book?

I started writing this book about three or four years ago. After several edits, I sent it off to publishers. When it was accepted by GenZ Publishing, it went through several more editing stages, resulting in the book it is today.

When is its release / launch date?

ALBA was released on November 1^st, 2024.

WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?

Many years ago my partner and I lived in a workers’ cottage on a farm just outside the small village of Cromarty in far north Scotland. It was such an interesting little place, with panoramic views and old stone buildings. I wanted to set a novel there to hopefully bring it to life for people who had never visited. Also, when I was in high school, several young teenage boys died in car accidents, with tragic outcomes for all involved, and I wanted to honour their memory without specifically identifying them.

WHY is this book meaningful to you?

This book is meaningful to me for several reasons: writing about Cromarty brought back many wonderful memories of the time we lived there. Also, I wanted an opportunity to write about secrets and loss, and how lives could be very different if fate hadn’t intervened. A final reason is I have had several experiences with ghosts, and wanted to explore those in a fictional way.

Why would its message resonate with readers?

I think many people hold secrets close to their hearts, and agonise about whether to let others in to help share their load.

HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?

I’m really pleased with the cover design. I wanted an open book with smoke rising from the pages, and Fiona Suherman created this wonderfully mysterious cover for me. I love her use of mauve in the title and a lighter mauve for my name, which reflect the lavender which is a motif throughout the book.

How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?

I’ve promoted this book on social media, SCBWI Bookstop, the ASA, QWC, #loveozya, at markets, and through online magazines. The book can be found at online stores or through the publisher’s website.

OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?

ALBA benefited from an ASA mentorship with Kristina Schultz, and received an Honourable Mention in Pitch It! which inspired me to continue.

We’re so thrilled to see your success with ALBA! Congratulations, Verity! 🙂

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