New Irish voices: Q&A with rising YA author Kel Menton

22 Nov 2024

• Debut novel by UCC English graduate Kel Menton to be published in 2025.
• Little Island Books has signed A Fix of Light, a YA trans love story with a dark magical twist, as its spring 2025 lead title.
• Kel reflects on their journey to date and shares advice for students considering studying English at UCC.

Kel Menton (they/them) is a non-binary writer and youth theatre facilitator from Cork. They graduated from UCC with a Bachelor of Arts - BA English and a Masters in Medieval Literature. 

In 2024, Little Island Books signed Kel’s first book ‘A Fix of Light’ as its spring 2025 lead title. The publisher describes it as “a queer love story which emphasises hope and the possibility of surviving trauma to build a life worth living, with protagonists that destigmatise trans experience.”

The synopsis reads: “Eighteen-year-old Hanan’s life is already complicated enough when he develops a strange new power: his emotions begin to magically manifest in the world around him. Then he meets Pax, a witty 19-year-old trans boy with fox-like features, and an intense romance blossoms.”

Ahead of its publication in February, we asked Kel to share some of their experiences on their career so far – from studying at UCC to an international bidding on their new book.

Kel, you studied both English Literature and Medieval Literature at UCC. How did these courses influence your path as a writer, particularly in shaping your debut novel, A Fix of Light?

Studying such a wide range of literature and critical approaches made me think about words in ways I had never imagined before. We approached pieces like archaeological dig sites and found treasures layered between each line. I’d been told for years that everything writers include is deliberate, but it wasn’t until I learned how to delve deeper into a piece that I could fully appreciate what that meant. My intentions when writing, now, are to leave these little treasures for readers to find. 

I want my writing to be entertaining, of course, but I also have larger things to say, and I don’t think I would know how to tackle that task without having learned the “rules” first. Whether or not I succeeded with that in “A Fix of Light” is up to the reader, but at the very least it felt like I knew what I was doing!

As a non-binary writer and youth theatre professional, how did you nurture your voice as both a creative artist and storyteller?

I have been very lucky to have had supportive people in my life. My parents have always encouraged my pursuit of writing, and my now-coworkers were some of the people who facilitated me when I was in youth theatre. Adults in my life took my writing seriously, and I was given the space to share it. I think that sense of encouragement and safety is extremely important, especially when you’re young.

Without that as my foundation, I don’t know that I would have had the courage to seek out opportunities to improve my craft. Now, I try to absorb as much as I can. The world is fascinating. I learn so much from other writers, from the young people I work with, from books and documentaries and podcasts. I think my voice is a little all over the place because what I have to say varies a lot – or, maybe it’s just not obvious to me!

Your debut novel has already gained significant attention, with great anticipation by publishers and readers alike. How did studying English at UCC help prepare you for navigating the publishing world and developing your craft as a writer?

Thank you so much for saying so! I know it’ll make it sound like you’ve paid me to say this, but I truly believe that the English Department at UCC is just superb. I always felt equally inspired and challenged by assignments, and eager to prove myself. I got used to drafting, and using my words precisely, and even just getting critical feedback. Writing theses was good practice for knocking out several thousand words on deadline, too.

Creative writing and drama are central to your career. Can you share how your studies at UCC contributed to your work as a drama and writing facilitator? What skills or experiences did you gain that you now apply in mentoring others?

I think the transition from school to university is a delicate balance. Suddenly no one was watching over us to make sure we did our work or handed things in on time. In the space of a few months I’d become an adult and had to be self-directed. At the same time, I think that while it was challenging, we were very carefully supported. I try to bring that balance into my work, too – to push just enough while being at hand to help if needed. 

For students considering studying English at UCC, what advice would you give them about balancing creative passions with academic studies? How can they make the most of their time at the university to build a career like yours?

I read somewhere that you can’t make art all the time, because then you’ll have nothing to make art about. For me, university was a time when I could fill my cup with knowledge and information that would inform my writing, and meet others that wanted to write, too. 

Read as much as you can, even if you think you’re not going to like it. I didn’t love everything I studied, but knowing that about myself was ultimately useful. Approach things with curiosity (including yourself). Write bad poetry and bad short stories and bad novels, and then rewrite them so they’re good. Attend events and guest lectures and book launches and zine clubs. Exchange your writing with others and give each other feedback. Study groups are your friend. So is sleep. Please sleep.

Pre-order Kel's debut novel 'A Fix of Light' here.