Do What Inspires You: An Interview with Penny Haw

By Christina Consolino | March 17, 2025 |

Author Penny Haw is inspiring. She writes books that feature “strong, interesting and independent women,” something readers, especially this one, appreciate. Penny’s work also illustrates her “love for animals and the outdoors, and explores the interconnectedness of all living things.” Reviewers love Penny’s attention to detail, praising the “thoughtfully imagined” narrative and “rich historical background.” They also cite the books as “emotional” and “full of dimension.” She’s the author of five books, including one for young readers, and she has more to come. And can I just say that those book covers are amazing?

Welcome, Penny!

Christina: Congratulations on your latest novel, Follow Me to Africa, which is “historical fiction inspired by the story of Mary Leakey, who carved her own path to become one of the world’s most distinguished paleoanthropologists.” What about Mary Leakey’s life and scientific contributions drew you to write about her?

Penny: Thank you, Christina. It’s a pleasure to be interviewed by you. Gosh! Where to begin answering this first question…

Mary Leakey’s trailblazing work as an archaeologist and paleoanthropologist is well-known. She and her husband Louis are credited with many important discoveries that adapted conversations around human evolution. However, it wasn’t only her work as a scientist that fascinated me. I was drawn to her love for animals and nature. Mary spent many years living and working on the edge of the Serengeti in Tanzania. It was a remote existence among many of Africa’s most magnificent wild animals. I related to her enjoyment of being in the bush. She often relied on her dogs for company.

Mary’s childhood and education also intrigued me. She received very little formal education and yet, became a celebrated scientist, known not only for her extraordinary discoveries but also for how organized and detail-orientated her work was. Another thing that fascinated me was Mary’s partnership with Louis. They were a remarkable team, but their marriage wasn’t always easy. I was inspired by how Mary overcame the obstacles of the partnership to eventually step out of Louis’s shadow.

Christina: The book is a dual-timeline story. How did you decide to go that route? What do you like about the dual timeline format? Do you find that it presents certain challenges?

Penny: The idea of writing a dual-timeline story and introducing a troubled, seventeen-year-old girl to seventy-year-old Mary Leakey came about when, shortly after reading Mary’s autobiography, Disclosing the Past, I watched an unrelated interview with a successful author.

“What would you tell your younger self?” asked the interviewer.

It made me think about Mary and how she recounted her past in her autobiography. I wondered how she might’ve responded to such a question. What might she, who’d experienced and overcome so much, say to a teenager who faced the same kind of difficulties and uncertainties she had at that age? Would she urge the youngster to get a standard education? What would Mary learn about herself in retrospect?

I imagined how inspiring it would’ve been for a young woman to be at Olduvai Gorge with Mary at a time of reflection for the older woman, and how it might change things for them both. The idea proliferated and I saw how it might work to tell Mary’s story alongside an account of Grace’s life.

I enjoyed the challenges presented by writing a dual timeline. It was fun to try something different. One of the things I love about writing is how one is always learning. I was aware of how important it is for both timelines to matter, and that was my greatest challenge. However, I hope I was able to achieve a balance because of the close parallels of Mary’s and Grace’s stories.

Christina: How do you decide which figures in history to write about? Do any exist that you won’t consider, and why?

Penny: I’m drawn to remarkable women in history who’ve achieved extraordinary things against the odds. I want to celebrate their lives and achievements. In this sense, Follow Me to Africa is like my previous books. The Invincible Miss Cust is inspired by the true story of Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary surgeon, Aleen Cust, while Bertha Benz is The Woman at the Wheel, which describes the crucial role Bertha played in the business and invention of the automobile, alongside her husband, Carl Benz.

Like Aleen and Bertha, Mary Leakey was an exceptional, utterly original woman who disregarded what was expected of her, blazed her own trail, and carried her own dirt—literally and figuratively. It’s important to me that I’m inspired and in awe of the women I write about. I’m especially intrigued by those who are inventive, resourceful, determined, and independent. It’s a bonus if they love animals and nature. I like to write about women I’d like to have had as friends.

Who wouldn’t I consider? It’s important for me to relate to the women I write about. If their lives involve undertakings that I cannot immerse myself and my imagination in, I won’t write about them. I believe it’s important to love creating a book at every stage, be it while researching, dreaming, writing, editing or marketing the work. That wouldn’t be possible for me if I didn’t connect and feel kinship with my main character and whatever their field was.

Christina: I love that you sometimes pick relatively unknown characters to star in fictional versions of their own stories. It makes me think about women today who might be overlooked. Do you have any tips for how women can step out of the shadows?

Penny: One of the things Mary Leakey, Bertha Benz and Aleen Cust had in common was that they were passionate about what they did. They figured out early in their lives what they hoped for, and they did everything they could to realize those hopes. Despite the obstacles created by society, law, and the patriarchy, they worked tirelessly for what gave them purpose and brought them joy. Perhaps the key to stepping out of the shadows is owning your light. Boldly and unapologetically do what inspires you. Don’t allow anyone to say you cannot do something. Ignore the naysayers and find a way.

Christina: Your characters are independent, determined women who get things done. Did you have role models growing up who fit that same bill? Any women in your life today who you look up to?

Penny: My maternal grandmother was my role model. She was a farmer, fiercely independent, and a feminist before the word was popular. She was also an avid reader, storyteller and writer. We shared that and a great love for animals and the wilderness. There’s a bit of my grandmother in most of my characters. These days, I’m inspired by my daughter-in-law. She’s one of the most intuitive, empathetic people I’ve met and is a great sounding-board for ideas, dreams and concerns. I am forever surprised by how much I learn from her and my son. Young minds offer such wonderful perspectives.

Christina: You talk about the “extraordinary” lives of your characters. Even everyday women can be extraordinary or do extraordinary things. Can you comment on that?

Penny: Absolutely! Everyday women are extraordinary and do extraordinary things. One of the most satisfying parts of my previous career as a journalist was encountering and interviewing women from all walks of life who do extraordinary things. Whether they created vegetable gardens in impoverished neighborhoods, helped unskilled people find work, fought poaching of endangered species of animals, or did any other extraordinary thing, I learned that many of these women work quietly and determinedly. They don’t ask for praise or recompence but are driven by purpose and love. There are so many extraordinary women doing extraordinary things that we’ll never know about, but hopefully some of their stories will be told to inspire others.

Christina: Writing has been a part of your life for a long time. Did you ever consider doing anything else? If so, what? If you had life to live all over again, would you try something different?

Penny: I often say writing and milking cows (I was raised on a farm) are the only two things I can do. I don’t like the early mornings required by dairy life, so writing is it. Ha-ha! Although my career has always centered around writing, there has been variety. In addition to working as a journalist and columnist, I’ve published magazines, written advertising copy, produced publicity material, and ran a publishing business. Although I’ve fulfilled several different roles, writing has always been my first love. Writing fiction has reminded me how playful and creative storytelling is. I love it and wouldn’t change it.

Christina: Let’s chat about pets. You have three dogs. Names? Breeds? Any amusing stories you’d like to share with the readers?

Penny: I joyfully share my life with the massive, gentle boerboel, Lily; cheerful, friendly Labrador-cross-allsorts, Molly; and playful, energetic Scottish terrier, Sophie. They bring me great happiness and ensure I have plenty of exercise by encouraging me to take long walks before I sit down to write every day.

I could write forever about animals I’ve known and loved. They include dogs, horses, cattle, and cats. I was raised on a farm with animals and loved them all. One of my early childhood dog friends was Bingo, an indistinct, medium-sized, brindle combination of countless breeds with an undershot jaw and tombstone teeth. She had a curious beauty and was one of the happiest and most loyal creatures I’ve met. However, Bingo had an incurable addiction; she loved hunting African porcupines. One day, she pursued one of the rodents, disappearing after it down its hole in the earth. We called and dug for her for two days to no avail. Bingo was gone. Eventually, certain she’d smothered to death, we mourned her. Imagine our surprise when, more than a week later, she happily reappeared at home. She’d dug her way out with only her worn claws and muddy fur to attest to her adventure.

Christina: You were awarded the 2024 Philida Literary Award for your “oeuvre of literary excellence.” How does that factor into your definition of literary success, and what does it mean to you?

Penny: Winning the Philida Literary Award was massive to me. It was such an honor and, indeed, a career highlight. The award was established in memory of celebrated South African author André Brink and pays tribute to his life and work. It is announced annually on the anniversary of his death. André taught me in my first year of university. It was a life-changing year for me. One of the bright spots was being lectured by him. I wish I had had the chance to tell him that. So, not only did the award provide me with recognition and encouragement, but it also seemed to somehow close a circle for me.

Christina: What’s next for you?

Penny: My fourth work of historical fiction with Sourcebooks Landmark will be published in 2026. It tells a story of Caroline Herschel, who, in 1787, became the world’s first paid woman astronomer. Caroline was born and raised in Hanover, where—scarred by smallpox and stunted by typhus—she was destined for a life of servitude at the behest of her mother and oldest brother. Everything changed when another brother whisked her off to England where he was working as a musician and amateur astronomer. Thus began her interest in stargazing, which opened unexpected doors.