Campfire Chats with Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor

In the lead up to Camp YA we’re chatting to some wonderful authors about their books, life and Camp spirit! To celebrate the release of their brand new book Everything Amplified, we’re heading back to school and jamming to some of our favourite music, while chatting to the wonderful author and illustrator Sarah Lippett, and author and publisher Ziggy Hanaor!

What inspired the story of Everything Amplified, especially the twin dynamic and its connection to music?

Sarah: Ziggy and I had discussed making a non-fiction book about women in music. The initial draft was designed so that each chapter highlighted key figures, music scenes and information but the characters and story evolved so that those parts were more subtly embedded with what Nel was going through and her emotional arc via her phone and laptop instead.

Ziggy: I really liked the idea of boy/girl twins to highlight gender imbalances in teenage years. My experience and that of my teenage daughters was really painful. It’s so hard for girls to find their confidence. So it was really interesting to explore the two very different journeys – Nel’s journey to finding her voice and Ludo’s journey to accepting his own vulnerability.

How did the writing and creative partnership work between you two? Did one focus more on narrative while the other shaped visuals? How did the process unfold? Did you sketch scenes first or build the story visually as you wrote it?

Sarah: It was a natural process. We handed the story back and forth whilst writing, then when the script was complete, I started to draft the visuals. First I made a character sheet and worked out the colour palette. After that it was an intense period of working – I’d complete one chapter draft at a time and then we’d meet to discuss and feedback. Once the draft was complete, I spent about a year drawing the finals with regular check-ins to discuss any edits or issues along the way.

Ziggy: It was really fun – there was a lot of talking over zoom and working out the characters, and then sending the story back and forth. I love writing dialogue so once the structure was in place it was really fun imagining what the characters would say in the different scenarios. The visuals were all Sarah, with me feeding back at the rough draft stages and then taking a backseat when she went on to do finals versions.

Sarah, as the illustrator, how did you visually represent the contrast between Nel’s internal struggle and the music that liberates her?

Sarah: I often used a sequence of panels followed by a big open spread to symbolises the freedom she feels when she listens to music and lets go of her troubles.

Were there key visual motifs or colour palettes that you employed to symbolize Nel’s emotional journey?

Sarah: As I mentioned above, you’ll find many of the pages where Nel feels liberated by music are represented by full bleed spreads, breaking out of the panel format or a shift in colour. The gig scenes are bright orange that indicate a place where Nel feels most comfortable, whereas the grey and blue are often used to reflect the times when she feels at her lowest. It was an intuitive process. Every graphic novel I’ve made has a distinctive colour palette based on the themes and concept of the book and this one came together quite naturally! I’m pleased that reviewers so far have noted how well it works – I agree!

How did your own experiences growing up shape the narrative of the story? Were there distinct techniques or references, from music, art, or life, that you drew upon to shape the tone of the work?

Sarah: I reflected on how music got me through difficult periods of my life – particularly as a teen when the social, familial and educational pressures in life are so heightened. I referenced my experiences as a bassist in a shoegaze band – there are little nods to that time throughout the book – for example the interior and exterior of a studio that the band use is based on one I had recorded albums in London. I also built the imagined town of Waterford on my own experience of growing up in a small town – the boredom and desire to get out and move to where something – anything (!) was happening.

Ziggy: I was a painfully shy teenager, so there was a little bit of wish fulfilment in there. Nel is quite bolshie – although she’s an introvert, she stands up for herself in a way that I wish I had when I was younger!

Why do you think music is such a powerful vehicle for self-expression in this story?

Sarah: Throughout history, music has always been a tool for self-expression – a way to express tension, relationships, identity, social conditions etc – surely there couldn’t be a better vehicle to express the story of teenage twins finding out who they really are, and who they are to each other.

Ziggy: Music is just so primal. My emotional response to music is totally involuntary. I can explain why I like a movie or a book, but I can’t explain why a song speaks to me. We tried to convey that energy and freedom that music can impart. Especially if you’re an overthinker like Nel.

What was your favourite scene or moment to create, and why?

Sarah: I loved writing and drawing the party and gig scenes – finding ways to express the bustling energy and communicate music visually was challenging and so much fun.

Ziggy: I loved watching the scenes of Ludo’s downfall unfold. He flunks his exams and for the first time in his life he’s being held accountable. I love the shift in dynamic between Ludo and his mum, Josie, and how Sarah brings that to life in the subsequent scenes.

If Everything Amplified had a soundtrack, what songs or artists would be on it?

Sarah: It was hard for us to boil the soundtrack wishlist to something compact, but in the end we chose songs that complemented the narrative in some sense.

Ziggy: There is a soundtrack! – just scan the QR code at the back of the book!

What advice would you give to young creatives, especially those feeling ‘in the shadows’ like Nel?

Sarah: Make what matters to you, don’t overthink – do! Find like minded people to work with who make you laugh – it should be joyful. Be kind to yourself and try not to compare yourself to others – you’re on your own path – sometimes you’ll feel ahead and sometimes behind but life is long. Stay curious.

Ziggy: Amen to that, Sarah! I can’t put it any better!

Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment from the making of the book that readers might not expect?

Sarah: Fever Dream is the name of my old band – the song they play in the book is ours and you can listen to it on the playlist… and my nickname was ‘Basshoven’ as referenced in the book.

Ziggy: Oh just that I took Sarah for about a million coffees before I even asked her to work on a book with me. I really wanted to work with her, but I felt she might be a little bit out of my league!

Everything Amplified comes out on the 18th of September 2025 and is published by Cicada Books in the UK.

Thank you to Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor for answering our questions!

If would like to learn more, have a look at our Campfire Chats with Ziggy Hanaor.