Every year the Federation of Children’s Book Group (FCBG) host an award entirely judged by children. Across the country children first narrow nominees down to Top 50 Pick of the Year. From here, 10 finalists are selected that cover three categories – Younger Children, Younger Readers and Older Readers – and then countrywide voting opens! Since beginning in 1981, the FCBG Children’s Book Award has recognised both big name authors alongside newer and less well known ones and it will again 2025!
Sam Sedgman is a finalist in the Older Readers’ category with Isaac Turner Investigates: The Clockwork Conspiracy.
He has very kindly answered some questions for us about his book…
What drew you to writing Isaac’s adventure?
I was inspired to write The Clockwork Conspiracy when I went on a tour of Big Ben with my dad for his birthday. After the two of us had climbed the 334 steps inside the tower we saw the marvellous machinery of the clock room leap into life. My dad and I were transfixed with the giddy excitement of children – and that’s when I knew there was a magic to clocks that I could capture and turn into a story.
What experiences and/or research was involved in bringing this particular story to life?
My stories are all set in real places, so I always do a great deal of research to bring them to life. I learned a great deal about the history of timekeeping, and how clocks work. I also learned a lot about the Palace of Westminster, and how Parliament functions. The House of Commons has many moving parts, just like a timepiece, and I thought it would be fascinating to compare clockwork machinery to the institutions that govern us. After all, clocks are just another kind of law – the law of time that we all live our lives by.
Why do you think this title will draw in student readers?
I try to write books that are as exciting as possible. And for me, the most exciting thing I can write about is the real world. The real world is way cooler and fantastic and weird than anything I could make up. So I think readers will be entertained by the action-packed adventure, the rooftop chases, the clues and codes and the locked room mystery at the story’s heart. But also that they will be fascinated by the mind-bending real-life science and history that I have woven into the story. Almost everything in this book is real – I want to leave people with a wonder and fascination for the world they live in.
How long did it take to write?
I was writing this book on and off for six years. For a long time I didn’t think I would be able to finish it – but I just needed to wait until all the pieces fell into place in my head. It’s the longest I’ve ever worked for on a book, but I think it was worth the wait.
Do you think Isaac would read this book? Why/why not?
Isaac loves to read – his bedroom is stuffed with encyclopaedias and biographies of his favourite scientists. But I don’t think he reads much fiction – like a lot of boys that I meet when I travel to talk in schools. I am very aware that there is a large group of boys in schools who don’t think reading is their cup of tea – or who don’t find stories compelling to them. I’ve tried to write something that those kids will enjoy. So I think if Isaac picked up this book he would race through it – because I have tried to root the adventure in real life stuff that shows how the world is fascinating. And Isaac can’t bear to not know the answer to something. He’d read it right to the end to find the solution.
What do you hope readers will take from your story?
I hope readers of The Clockwork Conspiracy will have fun. That’s the most important thing. (Reading is fun! Why aren’t we saying that more?) But also that they put down the book feeling curious to learn more about the world. I want them to see the wonders of the real world, and to feel real life is full of possibility for adventure – even without dragons, or magic.
What conversations do you hope it might elicit?
Decimal Time is a big part of the book – the idea that you could cut the day into 10 hours instead of 24. I think everyone finds this idea fascinating because it makes you think about why the world is shaped the way it is – and how we might shape it differently, if we wanted to. I want everyone to start questioning the hidden systems that govern our lives – and thinking about what they might change to make the world better, if they had the power.
Tom Clohosy Cole’s cover really speaks to what’s inside adventure wise – aside obviously from creating the world are you involved much in the way it will end up?
I am an atrocious artist and I am tremendously grateful for Tom’s incredible cover, which captures a sense of breathless adrenaline. I made a few suggestions for what I thought I wanted the cover to be, but Tom’s final product was better than anything I could have suggested.
Who was the most difficult character to write and why?
Pascal, the creepy white-haired man in a long coat who is hunting the children down, is both one of my favourite characters and one of the hardest to write. It took a long time to scratch under the surface and find his motivations. He’s very much a baddie, but he has such good intentions – and these have been manipulated by cruel and ruthless people to drive him to do terrible things. At his heart, he’s just a bullied nerd who wants people to respect him – I find that really heartbreaking.
Your proudest part of The Clockwork Conspiracy?
The final ten chapters, when we jump between different characters’ perspectives at the climax in the Houses of Parliament, was everything I wanted the book to be – fast-paced, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat stuff where everything you’ve learned about the world and the characters pays off.
Bonus barely related question: are you a cryptic crossword fan?
Unravelling violet hem shows passion (1, 4, 4)
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Many thanks again to Sam for his time spent answering our questions.
You can find out more about The Clockwork Conspiracy and the other titles in the FCBG Children’s Book Award using the links below or find the full Top 50 with great discounts for schools by clicking here.
