Floaters – An interview with C.M Taylor
A story about a group of school kids who won’t take shit from their MP.
C.M. Taylor’s latest novel harnesses the power of youth activism and a coming-of-age spirit to raise awareness of the current water pollution in the UK.
Floaters is a cosy crime-meets-climate-fiction novel about a group of school kids who are outraged that their go-to swimming spot has been contaminated with sewage. Their teen rebellion turns into a protest against their local MP, whose inaction resulted in their not-so-relaxing summer swim.
‘It’s a really sad thing, people feel that their environment doesn’t belong to them, and that it’s dirty and is going to make them feel sick,’ Craig replied when I asked him about his reasons for writing the novel. He spoke about how people don’t swim in local spots anymore, and who can blame them when you don’t know what you’re swimming in?
‘What I learnt from researching is that the year 2026 is a massive year for those people who are interested in campaigning for higher water quality,’ he explained. ‘The book is supposed to make some contribution to the issue, and it seemed like the timing was really important.’
50% of the profits from this book will go towards Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), an environmental charity that campaigns against sewage and plastic pollution across the UK. At the beginning of 2026, a white paper was published that set out to reform the water sector, and the SAS is ready to hold them accountable.
‘I like that it’s a group of school kids; youth activism is a really big thing.’ We’ve all heard of Greta Thunberg. ‘Why did you choose to write it about teenagers? Would it have had the same effect if it were adults?,’ I asked.
He mentioned a cross-generational movement of retired people and young people coming together to fight for a common cause. The alternative meaning of ‘Floaters,’ aside from the obvious, refers to the two groups of people floating and becoming a ‘formidable organisation.’ In the book, the teenagers join up with ‘gutsy boomer Barbara Bone’ to expose the MP and take revenge.
‘What I hope is, because it’s a comedy, is that it makes people laugh and they enjoy it. And those people who hadn’t thought about this subject – think about this subject.’ Craig explained.
The Channel 4 series ‘Dirty Business,’ which aired at the beginning of this week, follows the true story of an investigation into England’s water companies after two people in Oxfordshire discover that the fish in the river are dying. Yet another piece of media to help people understand the state of water pollution in the country.
Craig’s limited edition novel will be published on the 1st of March, and you can buy a copy here!