Ask the Author: William Hayman
Answered Questions (13)
William Hayman
If I could travel to any fictional book world, I’d choose the brutal, haunting universe of Berserk. But in that world, I'd have to trade my pen for a blade.
William Hayman
The baby monitor crackled to life, and I heard my own voice softly singing a lullaby. I live alone, and I don’t have a child.
William Hayman
You can find me on Instagram and Facebook where I share updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses of my creative process, and personal moments. I also love engaging with readers and fellow professionals, so feel free to reach out or follow along!
William Hayman
Illustration is a quiet joy for me. It helps me bring characters and feelings to life in ways that words sometimes can’t. I strive for a soft, whimsical style that feels safe and familiar, especially when the topics are big and emotional. My illustrations are initially generated through carefully crafted AI prompts and then personally edited with great care, ensuring each image captures the heart of the story and the emotions within it.
William Hayman
Illustration is a quiet joy for me. It helps me bring characters and feelings to life in ways that words sometimes can’t. I strive for a soft, whimsical style that feels safe and familiar, especially when the topics are big and emotional. My illustrations are initially generated through carefully crafted AI prompts and then personally edited with great care, ensuring each image captures the heart of the story and the emotions within it.
William Hayman
I'm currently working on the next book in The Courage series, with each installment following a new character as they navigate a different challenge. I'm also considering adapting a spiritual sequel to Echoes for older adolescents. There are many creative seeds planted right now, and I'm giving each one the space and time it needs to grow in its own way.
William Hayman
Hugely. The stories I write are shaped by real emotional landscapes I witness in my work. While the characters and scenarios are fictional, the emotions are very real. Writing allows me to take therapeutic insights and translate them into something accessible and compassionate for young readers and the adults who support them.
William Hayman
I hope children feel seen, heard, and empowered. Whether it encourages a child to talk to a trusted adult or simply feel less alone in their feelings, that’s a huge win. More than anything, I want it to plant the seed that speaking up, no matter how scary, can be a brave and healing act.
William Hayman
Yes! This book marks the beginning of a gentle, therapeutic series for children aged 7–10. Each story will tackle a different emotional challenge, grief, anxiety, change, self-esteem, through the lens of relatable characters and supportive, age-appropriate guidance. I hope the series becomes a toolkit children can return to again and again.
William Hayman
All my books are rooted in emotional honesty and the therapeutic value of storytelling. The Boy Who was deeply metaphorical, touching on themes of invisible pain and resilience. Echoes dealt with the haunting presence of trauma and the journey toward healing. The Courage to Speak is different in tone, it’s more direct, for younger readers, but the heart of the message remains: our feelings deserve space, and our voices matter.
William Hayman
The Courage to Speak was born from countless conversations with young clients who struggle to find the words for their big feelings. As a counsellor and writer, I wanted to create something that could sit beside a child, almost like a quiet friend, offering gentle encouragement and tools to open up. It’s the book I wish many of us had when we were younger.
William Hayman
Feedback has been quite motivating and humbling. I cannot reveal much, but I can share how the next book will compose itself entirely from the reader's own existential touchstones.
William Hayman
It all stems from our subjective life meaning; that which is an amalgamation of our own personal stories, insight and voice. Writing as a possible tool in acquiring a morsel of such an understanding; a tool that can help us all actively listen to each other, is an intense source of inspiration.
William Hayman
The idea to write a book that re-writes itself in every reader's mind was more than appealing. Writing alongside reading can both be very therapeutic. The book itself 'The Boy Who', is about a child's journey through life experiences and transitions.
As the narrator shares fragmented memories of experienced moments of elation, frustration and disappointment he invites readers to accompany him along his personal narrative and to avail of his reflections as a catalyst for their own journey of self-discovery.
As the narrator shares fragmented memories of experienced moments of elation, frustration and disappointment he invites readers to accompany him along his personal narrative and to avail of his reflections as a catalyst for their own journey of self-discovery.
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