Q&A: Stella Hayward, Author of ‘The Good Boy’

We chat with author Stella Hayward about The Good Boy, which follows a woman who confronts her past and her unresolved feelings for the boy next door as they work together to reverse a wish gone awry.

Hi, Stella! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hello! I am an author that lives in Scarborough, on the North Yorkshire coast in the UK – where The Good Boy is set! And I have three dogs, Blossom (12) Bluebell (9) and Wufus who is a three-legged Romanian Rescue (2) I also write under my own name, Rowan Coleman and I write screenplays too. I just love writing a lot! My house was built in 1864 and it has a turret!! I am very excited that I get to write novels in a turret. Childhood dream unlocked.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I was pretty young when I realised how much I loved stories. For all of my childhood I was undiagnosed dyslexic which meant that neither reading or writing came naturally to me, but this still didn’t get in the way of my love of a good story and spending a lot of time in the library. I also spent a lot of time in my head day dreaming (still too) and I think that is essential for any future writer!

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Anne of Green Gables
• The one that made you want to become an author: Jane Eyre
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Jane Eyre – sorry I’m obsessed. I have about 600 copies of Jane Eyre.

Your latest novel, The Good Boy, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Funny, Wholesome, Romantic, Magical, Doggish

What can readers expect?

A laugh out loud comedy about a woman who accidentally turns her dog into a human, and then has to enlist the help of her best friend and the boy next door to turn him back again. With lots of dog jokes.

Where did the inspiration for The Good Boy come from?

Are you even a pet parent if you don’t constantly narrate your dogs inner thoughts? My whole family does this for our dogs, and it makes us laugh a lot. And I often wonder what the sane, kind, optimistic and loyal animals would say to us if they had a chance – hence The Good Boy!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I mean I loved Rory. He doesn’t want to be a human, he wants to be a dog. But he is using the opportunity to tell Genie exactly what he thinks of how she lives her life, and how it might be improved if she played a bit more, and maybe saw her neighbour as a potential mate. He does also enjoy being able to open the fridge and being allowed to eat chocolate. I just chuckled all the way through writing Rory.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Throughout the writing of The Good Boy I referred to it as My Crazy Dog Book! And I think the challenge has been to get people to take a chance on a very quirky, good-hearted and whimsical idea that is ABSOLUTELY NOT about human/dog shenanigans (Gross!) But more really an exploration of how to be more human by being more dog.

What’s next for you?

I have just finished writing my follow up novel, which is called MY BRILLIANT AI BOYFRIEND and that will be out in 2026. I am very worried about AI, about how it may encroach on our creative lives and erode the very human craft of writing with heart and soul, so this is my answer to that! Over the summer I will be starting work on a new Rowan Coleman novel, and writing a horror script! I do like to keep busy.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I have loved reading Eat, Slay Love by Julie Mae Cohen and I’m looking forward to reading Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood.

Will you be picking up The Good Boy? Tell us in the comments below!