Karen Crear chats about publishing her childhood book 43 years later, running her company, and organising book festivals in the North East.
This is not the first time I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with author Karen Crear. Our paths have crossed once before, when I interviewed her about her Tequila and Teapots book series. Now, two years later, Karen has published a book for little ones – Where There’s a Wheel There’s a Way. It’s a wonderful read about kindness, inclusion and acceptance. Although it is a children’s book, it carries a message that should stay with all of us long into adulthood.
After speaking to Karen, you simply can’t help but admire her and everything she has achieved so far. I say “so far” because I have no doubt that, in another two years, I’ll be catching up with her to discuss all the inspiring things she is yet to do. From running a publishing company and supporting North East authors, to organising local book festivals and giving back to charity, Karen is certainly someone to look up to. She is living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, even if it takes 43 years to make them come true.
Karen, this is not the first time we’re speaking but for my readers who are not familiar with your previous work – how would you describe yourself?
I am an author from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, and I have written several memoirs with my twin sister about a harrowing time in our lives, donating a portion of all sales proceeds to Women’s Aid. I also write funny women’s fiction as I believe that finding humour even in your darkest days is like a superpower.
Writing seems to have been part of your life from a very young age. Do you remember the moment you first realised you loved storytelling?
Probably around the age of three. I’ve always been a chatterbox and would tell stories about all my various toys. I started writing my own stories when I was about eight.
Where There’s a Wheel There’s a Way began as a story you wrote and illustrated when you were just nine years old. What’s the storyline of the book and how did you come up with it?
It’s a story about Humphrey the tortoise, who walks too slowly to keep up with all his friends. They all work together to devise different wheeled options to help Humphrey move more quickly. I don’t really remember why I came up with the story, and I certainly don’t remember why I called him Humphrey! But I believe that, as a shy little girl with a stutter, I wanted to write a story about friendship, compassion and how we are all perfect exactly as we are.
I donate a portion of all proceeds to the Dragonfly Cancer Trust, an amazing charity based in Newcastle that supports young people living with terminal cancer. Having battled cancer twice myself and written the story as a young person, it just seemed like the perfect charity to work with.
What made you decide to finally publish it and how did it feel to finally hold the finished book in your hands after more than four decades?
I’d always had a dream of publishing the book. I would often look at the original story, all aged and a bit worn out (rather like me), and think how amazing it was that this little book had been in our family for 43 years and enjoyed by so many children. I dreamed that one day many more children would read it, but for decades I thought this was just a fantasy.
To finally see it achieved and hold the book in my hand, with all my original words and my childish illustrations reimagined for a new generation, was just phenomenal. When I finally held the first proof copy, it was incredibly emotional. I was proud of myself and I was proud of that shy little nine-year-old girl. I wished I could go back and tell her that life would be challenging, but it would all be ok in the end.
You chose to publish under your childhood name, Karen Ferguson. Why was that important to you?
The book will always belong to that little girl I was. It was written by her in her bedroom, surrounded by her stuffed toys and her comics. I’m proud of that little girl and all she has overcome.
Every page contains a hidden dragonfly in support of Dragonfly Cancer Trust. How did that idea come about?
I was meeting with my fabulous illustrator, Lucy Nicholson, and we were talking about how amazing the Dragonfly Cancer Trust is, when it suddenly occurred to me that we should include a dragonfly on each page for the reader to find. It also makes it a bit of a game, as some of them are pretty well hidden. We are so delighted that the Dragonfly Cancer Trust was happy to collaborate with us on this project.
If you hope children take away one lesson after reading Humphrey’s story, what would you like it to be?
Believe in yourself. We are all good enough exactly as we are, and with the right friends and support around us, there is nothing we can’t do.
You’ve spoken openly about being diagnosed with cancer twice. How did those experiences change your outlook on life?
It made me realise what’s truly important. I notice the little things now – birdsong, a beautiful sunset, the way the air smells after rain – and I marvel at how incredible life is. When something like this happens, you tend to stress about the small stuff less, and I’m not materialistic at all. I work with a lot of charities through my writing and our publishing company, Crear Publishing, and the joy I get from helping others is truly priceless.
You and your husband Ryan founded Crear Publishing. What inspired you to start it and what kind of authors do you work with?
The publishing company started small, as essentially it was just for us to publish my books. But, in time, we began to be contacted by other authors wanting advice and help, and it just progressed naturally. We offer a friendly, ethical and affordable way to publish, as we are passionate about championing all the fantastic talent in the North East. Through Crear Publishing, we also hold two book festivals a year in Bearpark, Durham: the North East Indie Children’s Book Fest on 25 July 2026 and the North East Indie Book Fest on 3 October 2026.
Children’s literacy levels are extremely poor in the North East, and we are so passionate about getting children to discover the joy of reading (and possibly be inspired to write too). Computer games and TV shows are great, but they will never spark the imagination like a book can. Books can transport you to other worlds and other times, and no two people will ever imagine a character in the same way. Personally, I believe that reading as a child really helped me cope with my shyness and having a stutter, and sparked a love of books that would last a lifetime.
What advice would you give someone who’s written a manuscript but lacks the confidence to share it?
Just do it! If your book could touch just one person’s life, then it was all worth it. It took me 43 years to publish Where There’s a Wheel There’s a Way, and I wish I had done it decades earlier.
You’ve mentioned the book festivals. What can people expect from them?
An inclusive, fun day where children can meet local authors, listen to readings and join in with many fun activities!
When you’re not writing or working with authors, how do you like to unwind?
This is a bit embarrassing, but I do love a Real Housewives show with a glass of wine and a bag of Doritos. Junk food for the brain as well as the stomach! I just think they’re entertainingly ridiculous. I also love live music and travelling.
What books have inspired you the most throughout your life?
As a child, it was Charlotte’s Web. I can’t believe I cried so many tears when a spider died! For book club many years ago, I read The Humans by Matt Haig, which I went into thinking was science fiction, but I found it to be a touching, thought-provoking read about what it really means to be human. The list called “Advice for a Human” at the end of the book has really stayed with me.
Karen, you’ve already done so many amazing and inspiring things in your life. I’m curious – what’s next for you?
I would like to work with more amazing authors, as the friendships I have made and the incredible people I have met have been wonderful. I don’t really set big goals or look too far into the future, as I know so much of our lives is out of our control. Personally, I see each day as an opportunity to make the world a little bit better, and I think that’s pretty good.
Purchase Where There’s a Wheel There’s a Way and browse other books by Karen.