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Evolve by Hetty Waite

It is a pleasure to be part of the tour for Hetty Waite's new YA novel Evolve. Many thanks to Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines for including me. Many thanks to Hetty for taking time to chat with me about her writing and her new book. Let me share the recent conversation I had with the author.

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What inspired you to write your most recent book?


Evolve is the second part of The Chromosome Trilogy. The idea for the trilogy came from a single,unsettling thought: what if a virus only affected men? I wanted to explore not just how that might change the world, but what it would reveal about power, identity, and the ways we connect to one another in times of crisis.


The first book, Mutate, focused on the two protagonists’ love story. In a world where relationships between men and women were considered too dangerous, they had to fight to be together. In Evolve, we see them arrive in a new city, hoping for a more equal life.


Unfortunately, though, all is not as it seems and they must face even bigger challenges to their relationship.


Who is your favourite character in this book and why?


The two protagonists are Cara and Brown, and we hear from both their narrative perspectives, so it makes it hard to choose a favourite. I think I’d have to go for Cara in Evolve, though: she’s faced with making decisions that could change her forever.


What was the first piece you had published?

Mutate was my first published novel. Initially I self-published, before you introduced me to Sumaira Wilson and Nikki East from SpellBound Books Ltd. Sumaira had read my book and so offered me a contract to rebrand the whole series.


Do you have another story planned or in progress? When can we expect to see that?


I’m currently drafting the third part of the trilogy, called Avenge. It’s been proving quite tricky to draw all the threads of the story together, but I’m finally making headway. Hopefully it will be published next year or soon after.


Who is your favourite author?


The book I most enjoyed recently was The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey which is a really moving story about growing up in Yorkshire under the shadow of the Yorkshire Ripper. I always struggle to choose a favourite book. I always read anything by Marian Keyes, C J Samson, and Kate Atkinson.


What do you like to do when you’re not planning or writing your next book?


I have a busy family life, so between that and my work I have to find time to write when I can. I like days out in nature and spending time with friends and family. At the moment I.m enjoying Christmas activities because I love the festive season.


When did you know you wanted to write novels?


I've always harboured the ambition to write. It's been my dream job even when I've made no effort for it to come true. I don't know why it has always appealed so much. I'm guessing it's just the desire to create and share stories.


Do you write in other genres?


I do enjoy writing Young Adult fiction. I think it gives you a freedom to create a fresh now voice and tackle interesting themes. I have ideas for writing in lots of other genres too including romantic comedies and thrillers. So my next book will hopefully be trying out something different.


What do you like most about being an author?


I’m a huge book lover. I always have (at least one) book on the go. Books and stories are a way of finding escape and freedom. Writing is the same, except you’re in control. This can be scary, but is also so exhilarating. It’s the best feeling when someone tells you they’ve enjoyed your book and can’t wait for the next one. I also like the fact that my office can be a local coffee shop!

 

Do you have a specific routine for writing?  Is there a special place or particular tool you use?


When I’m drafting, I try and get a bit written everyday, even if it’s only for five minutes just before bed. This often turns into longer, though, probably because it’s often the only peaceful time of day in my house! Because I only have small spaces of time when I can write, I’m pretty adaptable and tend to be able to write anywhere.


What advice do you have for other writers?


Be resilient. This is often the greatest challenge!

Just get started. When I start a story, I often only have a germ of an idea and a sense of the character. I find a plot develops quite organically and often goes in a direction I wasn’t expecting. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts and get something down – you can always improve it later.


If your book were to be made into a movie, who would you like to play the main character?


This is a difficult one to answer, as the characters are only teenagers, so it would need young actors. I currently have a scriptwriter drafting a screenplay for a tv series based on Mutate, so with a bit of luck maybe one day it will make it onto the small screen. It would be great to see a cast of relatively unknown actors, like the main characters in Stranger Things, grow up in the roles.

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The Blurb


Having survived the attack led by her sister, Cara is ready to move on. A new city means a fresh start and a chance for her and Brown to live together, as equals. However, the perfect façade of the Amex community hides dark secrets.


With a nightly curfew and a mysterious scientist in charge, Cara is convinced all is not as it

seems.


As her doubts grow, so do the arguments with Brown. And with Myla still alive and looking for revenge, it’s not only the danger from inside the city walls that threaten to tear her world apart – forever.


Ultimately, she will need to make a choice: protect her family at all costs, or save herself..

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The Author


Hetty Waite lives in Derbyshire with her husband, daughter, and cavapoo.

A former teacher, she spent many years sharing her love of stories with teenagers in the classroom before turning her own ideas into fiction. It was during the pandemic, while on maternity leave, that she finally found the time to write her first novel.


After initially self-publishing, a chance meeting with a director from Spellbound Books Ltd at a writers’ school changed everything. Impressed by her debut, they offered Hetty a three-book deal for her Young Adult dystopian series, The Chromosome Trilogy. The first instalment, Mutate, was re-released in 2024, followed by Evolve in October 2025.


When she’s not writing, Hetty tutors English, marks exam papers, and enjoys life in Derbyshire with her family and their lively cavapoo.

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Links


Website - https://hettywaite.co.uk 

© Val Penny
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