1. We absolutely love The Vintage Shop of Second Chances, it is such an authentic book, what was your inspiration?
Thank you! I have a background in fashion and have always been particularly interested in the stories behind vintage clothes – all the memories associated with a special dress, for example. That was the starting point for this book which focuses on one very yellow vintage dress and the three women whose lives are brought together and altered forever by its history. The idea of starting again also felt like a pertinent theme to explore given that I moved last year to a small town in Somerset (Frome, the setting of this book!) to start a family. It has felt like a new beginning, something that all three women in this book are searching for.
2. Which character(s) in the book did you enjoy creating the most and why?
My characters always feel like friends to me and there are always different things I particularly love about them. In this book I’d say that means Donna’s straight-talking, Maggy’s welcoming nature and Lou’s aspirations and entrepreneurial spirit. But I have to say that creating Lou’s wardrobe was a particularly fun part of writing this book. She dresses entirely in vintage and loves bright colours, as do I, so I had a great time scouring Pinterest and vintage shops for inspiration, as well as including a few pieces from my own wardrobe.
3. Every book you write is so unique and different, how do you set about researching each one?
That’s great to hear as although there are always common themes in my books based on things that are important to me (family, community, friendships, love), I do hope they all feel like their own little worlds too. Inspiration can come from anywhere, usually everyday life and experiences as well as places I visit, like the Isle of Eigg which inspired my third novel The Island Home. I like to think that I will never run out of ideas because life keeps happening and providing plenty of new experiences, encounters and topics that I would love to write about. Writing is both a joy and a cathartic process for me so, while entirely fictional, my books always contain a huge amount of myself in them.
4. All of your wonderful books could either be made into a movie, or lend themselves to a sequel, do you have a preference about which one you would choose if you had the choice?
Well, I sold the film rights to my debut novel The Lido back when it was published and since then a film adaptation has been in the pipeline. I have learnt that it can be a long and precarious process though, but it would be wonderful to see the cinematic setting of Brockwell Lido brought to life on screen.
5. Can you tell us a little about your next book?
My next book is still very much a work in progress so I can’t reveal too much about it, but I will say that I’ll be drawing a lot on my experiences of becoming a mother, something which has been a life-changing, terrifying, mind-scrambling experience for me. I’d like to write something that new mothers in particular can relate to, as well as just sharing another book that’s full of the warmth and joy that my lovely readers tell me they enjoy in my books.
6. What is your favourite activity when you are not writing?
I’m a keen wild swimmer and try to get to my local river for a peaceful moment to myself when I can around the wonderful chaos of being a working mum!
THE VINTAGE SHOP OF SECOND CHANCES by Libby Page published by Orion Fiction on the 16th February 23 available in Hardback, eBook and audio £16.99.
Photograph of Libby Page – Image Credit Natalie Dawkins