Beginner’s Pluck

After college Karen worked as a newspaper reporter, before gaining a Masters. “Then I worked as a book editor for six years. That was great, but it was hard to find the time to write. And it was emotionally hard realising how many books, however beautifully written, don’t get picked up by publishers.”

Writing in the mornings, before work, the novel took Karen three years to write.

Who is Karen Thompson Walker?

Date/place of birth: May 1980/California, USA.

Education: University of California, Los Angeles, English Literature and creative writing. Columbia, MA in Creative writing.

Home: Brooklyn. New York.

Family: Husband, Casey.

The Day Job: Full time writer.

Hobbies: “I love going for very long walks around New York City and I love to travel.”

Favourite Writers: Cormac McCarthy; Jeffery Eugenides; Marilynne Robinson: “They all combine a good story with beautiful writing. I try and keep that in mind.”

Second Novel: “I’ve started one. It’s in the early stages. Again, it stems from an idea resulting in an extreme situation.”

Top Writing Tip: “Be patient. If you have a bad writing day or have a problem with the story you just have to keep working on it, waiting for the insight to come. It’s useful to be patient in the publishing process too. I had an easy path, but I know it can be long and hard.”

Web: www.theageofmiracles.com

Twitter: @kthompsonwalker

THE DEBUT

The Age of Miracles. Simon and Schuster, €14.99; Kindle, €9.01

One day, the world starts moving round more slowly. Days gradually become longer, making time meaningless. As the days stretch out, the government decrees that people should live on clock time. In a small town in California, Julia watches the effects of the changes on those around her. On the verge of womanhood, dealing with friendships and first crushes, normal life is tough enough without these seismic changes.

The Verdict: This extraordinary debut combines impending disaster and the mundane to create a compulsive domestic tale.