Interview Exclusive!
Interview with Zowie!
Zowie Norris is an accomplished poet and creative writer. Her exploits in the poetry community have been well documented. She is a multiple amazon bestselling author, and her kindness for fellow poets and her community building efforts in the poetry community has placed her in a class of her own. Her style of poetry has also garnered her critical acclaim and awards to boot.
Zowie is an official member of the most prestigious writers club in the world, "The Collab Tour".
Interview Excerpts below:
1. Happy "Bookaversary" to Seasonal Symphonies! How has it been so far?
Oh, it has been an absolute whirlwind of a year! I cannot believe Seasonal Symphonies is already celebrating its first book birthday this May. Watching this collection go out into the world and find its rhythm in the hearts of readers has been incredibly moving. Poetry is so deeply personal, but nature is a universal language. Hearing how people have connected with the shifting seasons through my words - finding comfort in the winter stanzas or a sense of renewal in the spring verses - is the ultimate reward for any writer. It’s been a beautiful, harmonious year!
2. Did you expect the level of success enjoyed so far? Surprise
Genuinely, not in my wildest dreams! When you sit down to write, especially with micro-poetry and shorter forms like tanka, you are striving for absolute precision - using the smallest brushstrokes to paint a massive emotional picture. To see the community embrace it so fiercely and to receive such heartfelt messages from readers has been an overwhelming, beautiful surprise.
3. Spencer refers to you as a "shining light" and a "pillar of the poetry community." How has the Collab Tour been?
Wow, hearing those words from Spencer absolutely warms my heart to the core! The poetry community is just unmatched in its warmth and generosity, and being part of the Collab Tour has been a highlight of my journey. Writing can often be a solitary pursuit, but the tour completely flips that on its head. It’s all about connection, shared energy, and lifting each other up. To stand alongside such phenomenal, fierce creatives, to share our voices on the same stage, and to feel the collective heartbeat of the audience - it’s electric. It reminds me exactly why we do what we do. It’s not just about the words on the page; it's about the community we build between the lines.
4. Rumour has it you are working on another book—can you confirm?
You caught me! Yes, I can absolutely confirm that the creative wheels are turning, and I am actively working
The ink never truly dries, does it? Whether it’s diving back into the delicate balance of micro-poetry or exploring something fresh, the pull to create is always there. I'm pouring a lot of love, observation, and passion into this next project, and I can't wait to share more details with everyone when the time is right!
5. How many books have you published so far?
Counting up the titles always feels a bit surreal! So far, I have published 9 main collections and major projects that I am incredibly proud of. There is my children's book, Barb the Bird of Hope, which holds a massive piece of my heart. Then there are my poetry collections: poetically positive Unbroken Light, Harmoniously Hopeful , Hope Rekindled… and (which just celebrated its second anniversary this May!), and, of course, the birthday book itself, Seasonal Symphonies followed by Unbroken Light Each one represents a different chapter of my soul and my growth as a writer. I’ve recently entered into writing short stories to three published anthologies with other global writers from different countries too.
6. Which book is your personal favourite, and why?
Oh, that is like asking a parent to choose a favourite child! It is almost impossible because they all mean something so distinct to me. But if I have to choose today, I think my children’s book will always carry a special place as that’s what started this journey off. It was written during a time where finding and capturing pockets of light and optimism felt vital. The response to it, reminds me that hope is never passive - it's something we have to actively cultivate and practice.
7. How do you stay motivated after all these accomplishments?
For me, motivation isn't about chasing the next accolade or milestone; it’s about the daily joy of discovery. I am incredibly fortunate to wear a few different hats in my life - from leadership in education to working with children and young writers - and honestly, that keeps me entirely grounded and endlessly inspired. When you run a poetry club for primary students and watch a child suddenly realise that they can capture a massive, roaring feeling in just a few perfectly chosen words... how can you not stay motivated? Inspiration is everywhere - in the crisp Yorkshire air, in the changing leaves, in a forty-year friendship, and in the quiet spaces of everyday life. As long as I am observing the world, I will always want to write about it.
8. Your concluding words to your fans worldwide...
To every single person who has ever read a line of my poetry, shared a verse, bought a book, or sent a kind message: thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the reason these words have a heartbeat. Never forget that your own voice matters, that hope is a melody we can always choose to tune into, and that even the smallest, quietest words can bring an ocean of light. Keep reading, keep writing, and keep looking for the poetry in the everyday. Sending you all so much love and unbroken light!
Susan Wills
Editor
