LoveReading Says
In this witty sequel to Boys Don’t Knit, knitting champion Ben is invited to the knitting convention in New York City. It should be the dream invitation of a lifetime but things do not all go according to plan and Ben even finds it hard to find the right person to go with. Knitting-boy Ben’s diary entries are as amusing as before as he records his life and the reactions of his friends to it. ~ Julia Eccleshare
A Piece of Passion from Emily Thomas, Publisher The master of Mohair is back! Ben Fletcher, the loveable, funny and triumphant hero of Boys Don't Knit is back with more knitting. I consider Ben to be my honorary imaginary nephew, I'm that fond of him. Needless to say T.S Easton has brought him back to me - a little older, not that much wiser, possibly a better knitter - and a jet-setter too, as he flies to the Big Apple to take part in a National Knitting competition. Brooklyn mafia, magic tricks, long-distance romance - Ben takes it all in his stride! We don't really want Ben to grow up...we want him to stay just the way he is. A real boy, with just enough self-esteem but not too much, and lots of wool.
Julia Eccleshare M.B.E.
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An English Boy in New York Synopsis
As part of his prize as All-UK Knitting champion, seventeen-year-old Ben Fletcher has won himself an all-expenses-paid trip to New York ...and to the US National KnitFair. Unfortunately, his new girlfriend Megan is (somewhat suspiciously) unable to come with him, which means Ben has the dubious pleasure of being accompanied by his family and his third-choice-friend Gex. The other problem is, Ben's not really sure he wants to be known as a teenage knitting genius any more. His idea for a knitable hoodie could make him millions ...or turn him into a laughing stock forever. An existential knitting crisis turns out to be the least of Ben's concerns though, as he quickly finds that his apparent magnetism for trouble has followed him across the pond. Join Ben for another hilarious misadventure, involving some overly eager Knitting Expo representatives, suspicious men in dark suits, some potential trouble from the Mob, a mix-up of epic proportions with Megan ...and still rather a lot of knitting.
About This Edition
About T. S. Easton
T. S. Easton is an experienced author of fiction for all ages and has had more than a dozen books published. He has written under a number of different pseudonyms in a variety of genres. Subjects include vampires, pirates, pandemics and teenage agony aunts (not all in the same book).
He lives in Surrey with his wife and three children and in his spare time works as a Production Manager for Hachette Children's Books.
A Q&A with the author
What inspires your writing?
I always try to write what I would like to read. Or at least what I would have liked to have read when I was a teenager. It's a mistake for an author to try and write what's in vogue, to try and guess what other people might like to read. If you wouldn't consider buying the book you've just written, then you shouldn't expect anyone else will either.
What has been the most exciting moment of your career so far?
When I heard that Boys Don't Knit is going to be published in the US by Macmillan. Though heaven knows how we're going to translate some of the slang in the book. As my agent said when she found out, “Good luck contextualising ‘bellend.’”
How did you first become an author?
I had some time on my hands. I'd broken up with a long-term girlfriend and I just sat down and started writing about how I felt. I ended up writing a book that was the first of many, many unpublished books, each one slightly better than the last (I think). After writing about 678 unpublished novels I finally found an editor willing to take a chance on me.
What are you reading right now?
Nothing. I'm too busy writing the sequel to Boys Don't Knit. I recently finished SHIFT by Hugh Howey, the second book of the Wool trilogy. WOOL was originally self-published. I find the books completely gripping.
What was your earliest career aspiration?
According to family folklore, as a child I wanted to be a dog, then an orange, then a vicar, and finally a traffic warden. Later I wanted to be an author but never believed that it was actually something I really could do. I work with children's books in my day job too, which is wonderful, I just sort of fell into it, and I can't think of anything I'd rather do more than make great books for kids. Though I haven't entirely given up the idea of being a dog.
What advice would you give to budding writers?
Writing is a skill, it's a job, it's a pleasure and it's a chore. Sometimes it's simply hard work and it feels like you have to drag every sentence up from the depths of your belly. Other times you know exactly what to say and your fingers can hardly keep up with the characters dancing in your head. Either way, just keep going. That's all. Just keep going.
What was your favourite childhood book?
That's a tough one. I'd probably have to say THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Not very original, but truthful.
Where is your favourite place to write?
It's going to sound weird, but I write on the train. It's the only place I get peace and quiet and time to myself. I have a full-time job and three small children!
How do you read- print, digitally or both?
Only print. I'm not averse to eBooks and completely get why some people prefer them, but I don't really see the advantage for me in paying good money to buy a reader, then buying a book to read on it. Why not just buy the book?
Who do you most admire?
My wife. Because I see how hard she works, and how much she gives to my family.
Are there any books you wish you had written?
THE BAROQUE CYCLE by Neal Stephenson. He's not to everyone's taste but I find his books astonishing. Detailed, rich, intelligent, funny, with brilliant characterisation and a driving narrative.
More About T. S. Easton
