Meet the Author: Niki Mackay
Niki Mackay is a writer and podcaster. After studying Performing Arts at the BRIT school she went on to take a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Drama, later winning a full scholarship for her MA in Journalism. Her first two novels as Niki Mackay, I, Witness and The Lies We Tell both feature private investigator Madison Attallee.
Niki's latest book The Due Date was published in October and will be familiar to Suffolk readers as one of our Suffolk Loves picks. You can find The Due Date and Niki's other books on our catalogue.
Who were your influences as you were growing up?
In younger years I read Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes (over and over) and Diana Wynne Jones’ Witch Week. I discovered Virginia Andrews quite young too. But it was the books I discovered from about 11 onwards which shaped my tastes and influenced me. Christopher Pike, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Point Horrors, 90’s Nicci Frenches and Barbara Vine’s books were the stories I found most enticing and definitely influence my own writing a lot. I stole my dress sense from 80’s Madonna and would have most liked to have been Courtney Love in the 90s.
You attended the famous BRIT school for actors. What was that like and when did you make the decision that you would rather write than perform?
I liked a lot of things about the school, no uniform, a creative environment but I was a daydreamer and struggled to concentrate, as a result I didn’t leave with many qualifications. Retrospectively I wish I’d paid more attention as it was a great opportunity that I probably squandered. I was never a natural performer, unlike some of the insanely talented kids who attended but I liked the writing side of things and when I managed to get a university place, it was my time at BRIT that got me in.
What was your journey to publication?
I had a really lucky route to publication. I, Witness was my debut and also the first novel I ever wrote. It was around the time that Gillian Flynn was huge and The Girl on the Train had just come out and I think I have a similar style. I sent it to agents and got one quite fast and she got me a great deal with a big 5 publisher. Looking back it was not a particularly brilliant book, certainly my subsequent ones are better, but as with so much in publishing, the timing was right.
What does a typical writing day look like for you?
I write in the mornings, my brain is sharpest when I’ve just woken up. I often get to my desk before my kids are up and settle down again after I drop my youngest to school. If I’m editing days are longer and involve a fair few editorial chats. If I’m writing a first draft, I dip in and out throughout much shorter days. I write in quick bursts and do other things around it like social media. I also teach, which I love, so some of my time I’m devising lesson plans. I like the flexibility of it. I run once a day and find ideas often filter through then.
Can you tell us a little about The Due Date and how it was to write?
The Due Date is about Ali who is pregnant and meets a woman, Rebecca and discovers they are due on the same day. Ali has the baby then Rebecca ghosts her. Ali goes searching for her new friend only for Rebecca to deny knowing Ali and ever having been pregnant at all!
It was a blast to write! I love straight up psych thrillers and I like writing about motherhood, parenting and friendships. When a book is working, I tend to write fast and I think I had a first draft of this in a month.
How did you find the voices for Rebecca and Ali?
Slightly unhinged women are generally my specialty. I prefer my protagonists interesting rather than nice and both were extremely fun to write. First person present tense is my natural voice, I like the immediacy and I like being in someone else’s head. A lot of my BRIT training helps with character I think, I usually know my characters backstory and why they are doing whatever they’re doing which I think might be years of re-reading An Actor Prepares.
Is there anything you can share with us about your latest project?
I’m writing a speculative thriller inspired by an American urban legend. It’s bonkers, has horror elements, time slips and all kinds of things. It’s the sort of book I’ve always wanted to write. It’s super ambitious but I’m hoping that nine novels in, I’m ready for it. It’s immense fun so far.
One book, piece of music or work of art that everyone should experience?
One!! Blimey um okay, book: I love The Final Friends Trilogy (slight cheat there) by Christopher Pike and re read it often.
What is the strangest or funniest thing that your readers have shared with you?
Oh! I’m not sure anyone’s shared anything exactly. A strange thing readers do is tag authors in bad reviews. It’s cool if you didn’t like it but it’s also okay not to find my personal Facebook and add me to your enraged post!
Can you tell us one thing about yourself that your readers may not know?
I talk too much and am fairly indiscreet so I imagine everyone probably knows way too much about me already!