{Author Interview + UK/IRE Giveaway} The Territory by Sarah Govett

The Territory
by Sarah Govett
Release Date: May 14th, 2015

Publishers: Firefly Press
Genre: YA, Dystopia

Pages: 202
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Limited Space requires Limited Numbers

The year is 2059. Noa Blake is just another normal 15 year old. Except in the Territory normal isn’t normal. The richest children can download information and bypass the need to study. In a flooded world of dwindling resources, Noa and the other ‘Norms’ have their work cut out to compete. And competing is everything – anybody who fails the TAA exam at 15 will be shipped off to the disease-ridden Wetlands, to a life of misery, if not certain death.

But how to focus when your heart is being torn in two directions at once?

‘Brilliantly plotted, utterly gripping... This is a book you won’t be able to put down. I can’t wait for part two!’ Gemma Malley (The Declaration)

‘A page-turner with cinematic qualities... I gasped an involuntary “No!” when I turned the final page; I really want to find out what happens next!’ Zoe Tuft (Playing by the Book)

‘The Territory had me hooked from page one... The tension was almost too much to bear ... an accomplished and compelling debut.’ SB Hayes (Poison Heart and Don’t Look Back) 

Author Interview with Sarah Govett.

1) Where did you get the idea behind the story?

I think the biggest influence has been working as a tutor these past 12 years. I’ve taught some incredibly bright and talented pupils at low performing schools, who, without additional input, have no chance of competing against their often less able peers at more spoon-feeding, exam-factory style schools. I wanted to take this unfairness and heighten it to a life or death situation.

2)How long did it take to write?

It took about two and a half years to write, but I wasn’t writing consistently (or even frequently). I had the idea just after my first daughter was born and then typed away in stolen half hours while she slept. She wasn’t a very good sleeper!

3)What was the most challenging thing about writing this book?

Finding the time to write. I’d have an idea that really excited me and then have to try not to forget it before I had a chance to write it down.

  

4)Do you have a favourite moment in the book?

That’s difficult without including any spoilers so for now I’ll go with the Anne Frank moment. I think one of the things that draws me to dystopia is that when the issue is one of survival, conventional morality collapses and you’d do anything to protect those closest to you.

5)What’s your favourite quote from the book?

It’s not really a quotable book but I do like the phrase, ‘limited space means limited numbers’. I truly believe we’re heading towards a global tipping point and unless we take drastic action to reduce carbon consumption and population, dystopian scenarios may become reality.

6)What’s next for you? 

I’m working on book 2 at the moment and loving being back in the world of The Territory again.

Fun Questions:

1)What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Let’s have a look: Cheese (lots of cheese), some cold cottage pie (I’m a big cook-loads-then-heat-it-up-er) and a red felt tip pen. Hmmm that’s the trouble when your four year-old has figured out how to open the fridge door.

2)List 3 books you have recently read and would recommend?

Bone Clocks by David Mitchell, The Girl with all the Gifts by M R Carey and The Son by Philipp Meyer

3)If you were deserted on an island, what three favourite things would you want with you?

If I had my girls, a Frisbee and a guide to Desert Island Foraging I’d probably be quite happy. 

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