Q&A with Anthony McGowan: Exploring the World of Birdlands

Award-winning author Anthony McGowan has captivated readers with Birdlands, a heartwarming and adventurous story about three unlikely companions: Beaky, Herman and Pidge. Each bird carries their own physical and emotional scars, yet together they embark on a remarkable journey of survival, friendship and hope.

We spoke with Anthony about the inspiration behind these memorable characters, how he gave each bird a unique voice, and the powerful themes of teamwork and resilience that run throughout the novel. He also shared the real-life encounter that sparked the story, his approach to plotting the birds' journey, and the message he hopes readers will take away from Birdlands.

Read on to discover more about the creation of this moving adventure and the author's favourite places to write.

In Birdlands, Beaky, Herman and Pidge each have their own challenges. How did you go about giving each bird such a distinct personality and voice?
The personalities of the birds came to me the moment I met them.  It was exactly as happened to Jordie at the start of the book. I was in a small Scottish station waiting for the train to pull out. Amid the great flocks of birds begging for scraps, I saw a crow with a broken wing, a jackdaw with a crooked beak and a pigeon with disfigured feet. I tried to throw bits of my sandwich to them, but the other birds all got there before them. And, as I watched, they became Beaky, Pidge and Herman, and began to talk, to bicker and argue, just as they do in the book. I suppose their natures came out of the kinds of birds they are: the once fiercely noble, but now shabby crow, the inquisitive and cheeky but also quite immature jackdaw, and the motherly pigeon. They have all been formed by trauma, and the journey is a healing process. 

 The idea of three unlikely birds banding together is at the heart of the story. What drew you to write about friendship and teamwork in this way?
I wanted to give each of the birds very different personalities, and different problems, physical and emotional. At the beginning they grumble and squabble (with Pidge usually trying to keep the peace), but gradually come to respect and, I think, love each other, as they face trials and deadly perils. The biggest change comes over Herman, who is rude and haughty at the beginning, but ends up as a protective, fatherly figure. But none of the birds is at the end, what they were at the beginning

Survival seems impossible for these three at first. Did you always know where their journey would take them, or did the story develop as you wrote?

I always knew the overall shape of the story, and where we would end up. The particular threats and challenges of the journey evolved a little as I wrote. But this was perhaps my first book where everything – the characters, their world, and the plot, arrived more or less fully formed in my head at the same moment.

If readers could take away one key message from Birdlands, what would you hope it is?

Look after each other. You never know what secret sorrows and burdens another person (or bird) carries. We are stronger together. Oh, is that three messages? Or one complex one? 

Do you have a favourite place or environment where you like to write?
I alternate between my grim and grimy little study at home, and the light and airiness of the British Library. The Library is definitely much more pleasant!