Guy Bass is an award-winning author known for his popular children's books. His acclaimed series include Stitch Head, The Legend of Frog, Dinkin Dings, Atomic!, and Monster Madness / Monster Mayhem. Bass won the prestigious Blue Peter Book Award for Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things in 2010. He is a two-time winner of the Portsmouth Book Award. In addition to writing for children, Bass has written plays for both adult and young audiences. Before becoming a full-time author, Guy worked as a theatre producer, actor, and illustrator. To learn more abou the author and his work, his website is guybass.com.
Here is his Novelpro Junkie interview:
1.What inspired you to write “Stitch Head”?
Monsters! I’d written a series of scary-ish books called Dinkin Dings about a boy who was scared of everything except for the monsters under his bed, and I was keen to write more junior horror – specifically a gothic horror story in the Frankenstein vein. I was also desperate to work again with the illustrator Pete Williamson. If I don’t have a project on the go with Pete at all times I feel very out of sorts.
2. Was “Stitch Head” the original title or were there other titles?
The first version of the story was called An Arm and a Leg, and Stitch Head was nowhere to be seen. It was about a couple of almost-alive leftover limbs who ran errands for a mad scientist. In hindsight, it was a bit grim, concept- wise! Fortunately my publisher asked me to rethink the concept a little. Stitch Head was the result – a junior mad scientist’s first, flawed creation. I knew he shouldn’t have a ‘proper’ name because his maker didn’t really value him. I like the idea that Stitch Head’s doomed devotion to the professor was baked into the book’s title.
3. What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans about “Stitch Head”?
When readers have told me that it’s the book that got them into reading. Nothing beats that. I found a couple of books as a child that made me understand what all the fuss was about. The thought that Stitch Head could be that for someone else blows me away.
4. Congratulations on “Stitch Head” being made into an animated film, could you talk about how you found out that your book is being adapted?
The book was first optioned more than ten years ago. Often these things don’t get beyond the option so my optimism was on low power mode for a while. Then, slowly but surely the film started to take shape – I was lucky enough to read a couple of versions of the script and the filmmakers were very generous to keep me in the loop. I’ve got to know them well over the years. I also now know the tiniest modicum of the work that goes into movie production and
financing, and it’s a world which I’m grateful to have avoided! I’m very happy to be entering a co-parenting phase with Stitch Head.
5. Were there any plans on you doing an animated cameo? If not, would you consider or suggest it if there is a “Stitch Head” sequel?
I didn’t ask – I’d much rather enjoy the film without having to wince at my own cameo! My wife is an actor and appears in the film. Her character also gets to hold the finest banner I’ve ever seen. Maybe I can do a small burp or something for the sequel.
6. What are your thoughts on BAFTA-nominated actor Asa Butterfield starring in the animated film?
There have been a couple of definitive moments in the process where I realized the filmmakers ‘got it’ and that bit of casting was the cherry on top. There’s a line where Stitch Head tells the monsters to be who they’d be if they weren’t afraid, and Asa Butterfield’s delivery is spot on – hopeful, desperate, scared but determined. It gives me goosebumps.
7. The film cast also included Joel Fry, Tia Bannon, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Fern Brady, and Jamali Maddix. What are your thoughts on them participating in something that originated from you?
They’re all fantastic in the film. I hope they got a kick out of it!
8. Were you ever on set? If so, could you talk about any memorable moment?
Nope. I met my wife after a recording session. She’d tried to film some of the animatics on the sly to show me but started recording as she secreted her phone back in her bag.
9. Did you ever meet director/screenwriter Steve Hudson? If so, what was the experience like?
Steve’s great! I’ve met him a few times in person and many more on Zoom. We definitely have a similar sense of humor. I hope I’m not horribly out of order to call he and Sonja (the film’s producer) friends. I love them to bits.
10. What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Do you have a favorite book now?
Then, George’s Marvellous Medicine. Now, don’t make me choose.
11. What other books of yours would you like to see adapted into a film or TV series?
In no particular order: Spynosaur, Gormy Ruckles, Dinkin Dings … or Secret Santa: Agent of X.M.A.S. (see next question) as a Christmas special!
12. Have you ever had a dream that influenced your writing?
I once dreamed the bones of a book - I woke up and started scribbling frantically. If only it was always that easy – I’m gutted to admit it’s never happened to me before or since. Secret Santa, Agent of X.M.A.S. is about Father Christmas being a secret agent for 364 days of the year…
13. If you have your own talk show, who would your first three guests be
(Besides me, of course)?
…Of course! Shakespeare, Hugh Laurie, Optimus Prime.
14. If you were to create an alter ego comic book of yourself, what name would you give to this superhero and what would be your power?
That’s how I spent my entire childhood – my brother and I made up dozens of superheroes. Off the top of my head, I’ll go for The Ameboid Man – he was a load of goo in a containment suit but could assume any shape.
15. Last question, what is your favorite restaurant in London?
It’s a local restaurant called Ravel’s Bistro. Many an idea has been discussed at Rav’s – many a plan concocted…
Here is his Novelpro Junkie interview:
1.What inspired you to write “Stitch Head”?
Monsters! I’d written a series of scary-ish books called Dinkin Dings about a boy who was scared of everything except for the monsters under his bed, and I was keen to write more junior horror – specifically a gothic horror story in the Frankenstein vein. I was also desperate to work again with the illustrator Pete Williamson. If I don’t have a project on the go with Pete at all times I feel very out of sorts.
2. Was “Stitch Head” the original title or were there other titles?
The first version of the story was called An Arm and a Leg, and Stitch Head was nowhere to be seen. It was about a couple of almost-alive leftover limbs who ran errands for a mad scientist. In hindsight, it was a bit grim, concept- wise! Fortunately my publisher asked me to rethink the concept a little. Stitch Head was the result – a junior mad scientist’s first, flawed creation. I knew he shouldn’t have a ‘proper’ name because his maker didn’t really value him. I like the idea that Stitch Head’s doomed devotion to the professor was baked into the book’s title.
3. What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans about “Stitch Head”?
When readers have told me that it’s the book that got them into reading. Nothing beats that. I found a couple of books as a child that made me understand what all the fuss was about. The thought that Stitch Head could be that for someone else blows me away.
4. Congratulations on “Stitch Head” being made into an animated film, could you talk about how you found out that your book is being adapted?
The book was first optioned more than ten years ago. Often these things don’t get beyond the option so my optimism was on low power mode for a while. Then, slowly but surely the film started to take shape – I was lucky enough to read a couple of versions of the script and the filmmakers were very generous to keep me in the loop. I’ve got to know them well over the years. I also now know the tiniest modicum of the work that goes into movie production and
financing, and it’s a world which I’m grateful to have avoided! I’m very happy to be entering a co-parenting phase with Stitch Head.
5. Were there any plans on you doing an animated cameo? If not, would you consider or suggest it if there is a “Stitch Head” sequel?
I didn’t ask – I’d much rather enjoy the film without having to wince at my own cameo! My wife is an actor and appears in the film. Her character also gets to hold the finest banner I’ve ever seen. Maybe I can do a small burp or something for the sequel.
6. What are your thoughts on BAFTA-nominated actor Asa Butterfield starring in the animated film?
There have been a couple of definitive moments in the process where I realized the filmmakers ‘got it’ and that bit of casting was the cherry on top. There’s a line where Stitch Head tells the monsters to be who they’d be if they weren’t afraid, and Asa Butterfield’s delivery is spot on – hopeful, desperate, scared but determined. It gives me goosebumps.
7. The film cast also included Joel Fry, Tia Bannon, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Fern Brady, and Jamali Maddix. What are your thoughts on them participating in something that originated from you?
They’re all fantastic in the film. I hope they got a kick out of it!
8. Were you ever on set? If so, could you talk about any memorable moment?
Nope. I met my wife after a recording session. She’d tried to film some of the animatics on the sly to show me but started recording as she secreted her phone back in her bag.
9. Did you ever meet director/screenwriter Steve Hudson? If so, what was the experience like?
Steve’s great! I’ve met him a few times in person and many more on Zoom. We definitely have a similar sense of humor. I hope I’m not horribly out of order to call he and Sonja (the film’s producer) friends. I love them to bits.
10. What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Do you have a favorite book now?
Then, George’s Marvellous Medicine. Now, don’t make me choose.
11. What other books of yours would you like to see adapted into a film or TV series?
In no particular order: Spynosaur, Gormy Ruckles, Dinkin Dings … or Secret Santa: Agent of X.M.A.S. (see next question) as a Christmas special!
12. Have you ever had a dream that influenced your writing?
I once dreamed the bones of a book - I woke up and started scribbling frantically. If only it was always that easy – I’m gutted to admit it’s never happened to me before or since. Secret Santa, Agent of X.M.A.S. is about Father Christmas being a secret agent for 364 days of the year…
13. If you have your own talk show, who would your first three guests be
(Besides me, of course)?
…Of course! Shakespeare, Hugh Laurie, Optimus Prime.
14. If you were to create an alter ego comic book of yourself, what name would you give to this superhero and what would be your power?
That’s how I spent my entire childhood – my brother and I made up dozens of superheroes. Off the top of my head, I’ll go for The Ameboid Man – he was a load of goo in a containment suit but could assume any shape.
15. Last question, what is your favorite restaurant in London?
It’s a local restaurant called Ravel’s Bistro. Many an idea has been discussed at Rav’s – many a plan concocted…
Creature gets a tour of his new home in the first official clip from #StitchHead. Coming only to theaters October 29th. Get tickets now: https://t.co/5iJQiyLT7A pic.twitter.com/p4218Cqnra
— Stitch Head (@StitchHeadMovie) October 23, 2025
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