Amanda Poll

Name: Amanda Poll

Novel name: Beth Death - YA

Amanda lives and loves crime and mystery. She grew up addicted to reading crime fiction and went on to become a barrister in criminal law. Her books are based on cases she has prosecuted.

Still embracing her inner child and refusing to grow up, Amanda loves to read and write YA. 

When she’s not writing she works as a teacher and runs, writes and acts in Murder Mystery events.

Amanda lives in Essex with her family and four small dogs with big personalities. She has five amazing daughters who are the inspiration for her characters and help with her YA voice.

What made you enter the Cheshire Novel Prize? 

A fellow shortlistee told me about this competition and when I looked at it, I saw it offered so much and was totally worth entering. I’m so glad I did! 

What did it feel like when you were LL and then SL?
I was beyond thrilled! 
I did a happy dance and excitedly told everybody—even if I didn’t know them lol. I am up against some great manuscripts, so even if I don’t win, it’s been so motivating and helpful to improve my manuscript, really lovely to meet people, and inspiring to now try and get it published.

What was the reaction from those around you/family and friends? 

They are so happy and excited for me as they know how much I want this and that this will boost my confidence and battle my imposter syndrome!

You were unrepresented when you entered the Cheshire Novel Prize, can you say what’s happened since? 

Having been shortlisted I now feel ready to start querying agents to hopefully get representation. I have received some great feedback already and since entering I have worked a lot on re-editing Beth Death. I have also been editing another YA ghostly mystery I have written called Stay And Watch Me Die.

How did you come up with the idea for your book? 

The plot was inspired by a case I prosecuted in my former career as a Barrister. The character Beth is based on my children.

What’s it about? 

Beth is a teen Ghost Whisperer, with the detective skills of A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson and the feisty character of Netflix’ Wednesday.

High school sucks. Having a stepdad who owns a funeral home – earning the nickname ‘Beth Death’ double sucks. Having a corpse talk to you—total suck-dom with cherries on top. 

To escape the bullying, 16-year-old goth Beth embraces her ‘Beth Death’ persona—a solitary life is way better than having to tolerate the vile popular girls. Plus, she has been fascinated by death since she swore she saw her dad after he died.

Amanda Poll

Amanda Poll

Beth Death

When the Queen Bee School Bitch ends up on the steel slab in their funeral home, Beth gets the shock of her life when the corpse suddenly grabs her and begs Beth to investigate the circumstances of her death. Beth sure as hell doesn’t want to help the bully who nicknamed her Beth Death. Not to mention everyone will think she is crazier than they already do. But she needs the hauntings to stop and also learns the dead girl’s sister Jessica—who Beth outwardly hates but secretly has a crush on—might be next.

Beth works with Jessica to solve what they discover was murder. As romantic feelings develop, Beth must risk a broken heart should Jessica reject her in favour of the cool kids and risk even more to catch the murderer before they get Jessica.

What’s your writing routine? 

I do a lot of thinking and planning while driving my kids around (which feels like most of my life!) and then spend my evenings on my iPad writing and then editing (which takes way longer than actually writing the manuscript!)

What’s next for you? 

I now feel ready to start querying agents to try to get Beth Death traditionally published *fingers crossed*

What are your favourite children’s books and why? 

As a child I enjoyed The Famous Five books as I have always loved mystery and crime. As an adult I still read YA as I’m still a child at heart! My favourite author currently is Karen McManus.

Any tips for writers intending on entering the competition? 

Do it! Do it! Don’t think it’s not worth it, as the people are all so nice so you make some great friends and the feedback you receive is so helpful—and you could win!