Write On! interviews author Saviour Pirotta
Saviour Pirotta is a bestselling author who specialises in children’s books and plays. His work has been translated into 35 languages. Starting off by adapting myths and legends for Hachette, he eventually moved into historical fiction. His Mark Of The Cyclops, a detective story set in Ancient Greece, won the North Somerset Teachers’ Award in 2018. His picture book The Unicorn Prince was a Guardian Book of the Month and a Bookseller Editor’s Pick in 2018. His most recent books include The Golden Horsemen Of Baghdad (Bloomsbury), The Stolen Spear and The Heart Scarab (both Maverick Arts)
Originally from the sunny isle of Malta, Saviour moved to England in his early twenties and now lives in Driffield, East Yorkshire. He is a proud cat-daddy to a tabby called Gino.
WO: How would you describe your writing to someone new to it?
SP: I write mostly fast-paced historical adventures for kids, although I started off adapting world myths and legends. I grew up in the 1970s when Enid Blyton and Biggles were all the rage, so those have also subtly influenced my work, although I’m very big on diversity. I see my mission as a writer to leave the world a slightly better place with my stories. Lately, I’ve branched into theatre and written two family musicals. The first, Granny’s Exploding Toilet, was produced by the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough and the second, an adaption of my collection The Orchard Book Of First Greek Myths, opened in Malta last year ahead of a European tour.
WO: Can you tell us a bit about your latest book The Emperor’s Elephant?
SP: I’ve just done the final round of edits on The Book Of Songs, a road-story set in Anglo-Saxon times, just before the great Danish invasion of York. It’s a celebration of all the places I love, including Whitby and Lindisfarne, but it’s also a story about learning to have faith in yourself, your instincts and your abilities.
The book I’ll be working on next is a follow-up to an adventure set in the Islamic Golden Age called The Golden Horsemen Of Baghdad. It tells the story of Jabir, who was tasked with carving 12 wooden horsemen for a water-clock that the caliph of Baghdad sent Charlemagne in the early 800s. It’s based on a true story.
The sequel follows Jabir and his friend Yasmina as they accompany the clock along with a caravan of gifts all the way from Baghdad to Aachen, now part of Germany. One of the gifts was an elephant called Abul l-Abbas which caused a great sensation when it reached Charlemagne’s court. The caravan could have set sail to Germany from the east Mediterranean coast but for some reason it travelled along the North African coast and crossed the Med from Carthage. No one knows why, which is perfect fodder for a writer’s imagination. I’m having great fun filling in the blanks. The book will be published by Bloomsbury Education in 2026.
WO: What inspired you to write in the first place, and what inspires you now?
SP: I learnt very early on in life that storytelling is as second nature to me. I’m not good at doing anything mechanical. I never got the hang of driving or excelled in any sport, but I can tell a good story and holding an audience or a reader’s attention gives me great pleasure. I grew up in Malta, which is steeped in history and folklore. Every corner of the island seems to have a story or a legend attached and I just loved retelling those from my own point of view!
WO: Recently Write On! explored the theme of ‘(R)Evolution’ comparing natural, gradual changes with swift and radical ones. Do you view your own writing as having gently evolved over time? Or do you enjoy switching it up and trying new things regularly?
SP: My writing has evolved slowly over time. I think you need life experience to be a good writer, even if you’re writing a picture book or an article for a magazine. Over the years, my writing has become more character-based. In the beginning, I used to visualise film-like scenes that would become set pieces in the narrative. Today, I focus more on the gradual transformation of the characters. In most of my stories, the young protagonists find themselves. They discover their identity and their purpose in life. My hope is that my books help readers going through the same process.
WO: What one piece of advice would you give an aspiring writer?
SP: That’s an easy one. Stick at it and never give up. You’ll find a lot of obstacles along the way. People will come up with all sorts of reasons for not publishing you. You’re too different to appeal to a mainstream audience. You’re not different enough to make you stand out in a competitive market. Take rejection – and there will always be rejection, even for bestselling authors – with a pinch of salt and keep on writing.
WO: Question from Instagram user: @grasshopper2407 Is it difficult to adapt mythology for children’s literature or does it lend itself to the genre?
SP: Mythology really lends itself to adaptation. There’s a reason why these stories have survived for thousands of years. They resonate with human conditions that still exist today. There’s nothing more exciting for kids than connecting with a story that speaks to them directly but comes from the distant past. You just need to find your own take on the subject.
WO: Can you tell us anything about future projects?
SP: After The Emperor’s Elephant, I’m adapting one of my books into a film. I can’t say anything more at this point due to contractual reasons. I’m also working on a historical ghost story set in Turkey and writing my first radio play which is set in North Yorkshire.
WO: Lastly, if you could choose one fictional animal/creature to be a pet or companion, who would it be and why?
SP: I’m totally in love with my real cat Gino, who tends to worm his way into all my stories. He keeps me company while I’m writing, always spreading out on my computer keyboard the moment I get up to put the kettle on. But if I had to choose a fictional character as a companion, it would be Mr Tumnus from my all-time favourite book, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. I’d love to visit his den for tea and generously buttered crumpets and I’m sure he’d love my conservatory, where it is forever summer!
You can find out more about Saviour Pirotta at his website: saviourpirotta.com and connect with them on Instagram: @saviour2858 and Substack: saviourpirotta.substack.com. All Saviour’s books are available on Amazon:
The Golden Horsemen Of Baghdad
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Issue 28 of Write On! is out now and you can read it online here. Find it in libraries and other outlets. You can find previous editions of our magazines here.
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