LIZ FOSTER “If you’ve written a novel and you can feel in your bones (and based on feedback) that it’s really got potential, keep going.”
Kelly’s Writerly Q&A May Author Interview is with Liz Foster, a British-Australian writer who shifted from business writing to fiction writing seven years ago and has never looked back. We are agent buddies and I’m so grateful because getting to know Liz has been wonderful! She is uplifting and full of encouraging advice.
Today we are celebrating her debut novel, The Good Woman’s Guide to Making Better Choices, published at the end of December last year! It explores financial fraud and how that would impact the family of a fraudster. A very current women’s fiction read.
‘I finished The Good Woman’s Guide to Making Better Choices a couple of days ago and am still thinking about your characters. What a wonderful read. I loved it!’
Joanna Nell, author of The Single Ladies of the Jacaranda Retirement Village
Kelly: Hi Liz, thanks for taking the time to answer some writerly questions. Congratulations on publishing your debut novel, The Good Woman’s Guide to Making Better Choices, what’s it about?
Liz: Thanks so much for inviting me! It’s a commercial women’s fiction novel set between Bondi, NSW and Beechworth, VIC, featuring farm girl Libby and her husband Ludio and family. They love the golden life in Bondi, until Ludo is thrown into jail for financial fraud, and they lose everything. Libby has to juggle all the balls, finding somewhere to live so the children can continue going to school, scrape together money to survive etc, while she feels horribly complicit – she discovers people she knows were affected by her husband’s fraud. So, she has to find a way through the hot mess while trying to help these other people as well.
Kelly: I love this premise! Financial fraud is a topic that has become more prevalent post-COVID and with the rising cost of living. I am interested in the exploration of how a family would deal with this situation. How did you come up with your story idea?
Liz: During lockdown, I became a bit obsessed with true crime podcasts, in particular, the Melissa Caddick case – the Sydney fraudster who ripped off her nearest and dearest to the tune of millions of dollars. I thought – how would you feel if that was your partner? He/she’s been going to work every day while you manage the family, for example, and it turns out that they’ve been ripping people off – including those you love.
Kelly: News articles often inspire my writing. This case is so interesting and your focus on the family of the fraudster is a fantastic angle. How long did it take you to write?
Liz: Hmm, there’s a question. Probably two years end to end but the full finished draft was more like a year – then I spent all the extra time editing and polishing and generally trying to get it as ready as possible to pitch.
Kelly: I’m glad to hear that the editing took you just as long as the drafting. Editing probably takes me longer than drafting. What does your typical day of writing look like?
Liz: If I’m writing a first draft, the dog gets an extra long walk in the morning which is when I ruminate over the plot. Sometimes I record scenes as voice notes and then type them up when I get home, so it’s like version 1.01 by then. I always aim for a minimum word count – 1,000 words absolute minimum. Then I fit it into where I have the time. I’m very easily distracted by my family who all trail into my study and interrupt constantly, so if I really need to nail a chapter or deadline I go to my local library in Lane Cove.
Kelly: Recording scenes as voice notes is something I want to try. It sounds like a great way to stay connected to your manuscript, even when you’re not at your desk. Let’s go back to where it all began, how did you connect with our wonderful agent, Fiona from Beyond Words Literary Agency?
Liz: I met Fi at the inaugural Northern Beaches Readers Festival in September 2022, and we hit it off. I sent her my manuscript and she read it over Christmas and offered me representation in the new year. And then I connected with Affirm in February, and it all happened quite quickly after that.
Kelly: I’m so happy to hear this success story! This gives me so much hope. Thank you!
Kelly: Can you tell me about what it was like to be featured on the AWC, So You Want To Be A Writer podcast and what part they played in your writing journey?
Liz: Such a thrill! I’ve done so many courses there and in fact, I started my creative writing journey with them. It felt like an impossible dream to ever get published. And then when it happened, and Valerie interviewed me it felt surreal! I’ve just shot a feature video for them as well, talking about the invaluable courses I’ve done and everything I learned, including the wonderful and super helpful writing community.
Kelly: It’s an amazing thing to put yourself out there and sign up for that first course. I remember when I did the AWC Creative Writing Stage 1 course and how much I loved spending two days prioritising my writing. Courses like that are your entry into the writing community, they help you develop your skills and gain the confidence you need to succeed! Let’s talk about getting those all-important yeses, what was it like going on submission and how did you land that final yes?
Liz: Affirm was the second publisher my novel was pitched to by Fi, and they were interested right away – it was the perfect genre and style of book for a January summer launch. It happened quite quickly, one minute Kelly (the publisher) wanted a chat, and the next thing you know we’re having lunch and then I was offered a contract a couple of days later. Obviously, it took forever to sink in!
Kelly: What a dream submission experience! This gives me so much hope. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Liz: If you’ve written a novel and you can feel in your bones (and based on feedback) that it’s really got potential, keep going. Edit it as much as possible yourself – get it in tip-top shape – use Pro Writing Aid or whatever software you have. This will really help you get noticed. And If your novel’s as ready as possible there’s more chance of being picked up at the right moment. The publishing cycle is very long, but I was signed in April for a January launch which was very quick – it didn’t even need a structural edit, just a copy edit, and this was because I’d worked so hard on it. Also, keep writing while you wait to hear – having a backlist even in draft form helps you hone your craft and shows potential publishers that you’re serious about being an author.
Kelly: Great advice! Edit, edit, edit, keep writing, and trust yourself, I couldn’t agree more. What are you currently reading and loving?
Liz: Marian Keyes, My Biggest Mistake. Gosh, I love her books and in particular the Walsh sisters series. This is the second one featuring Anna Walsh, who’s now in her late forties and resetting her life and priorities. I’ve been addicted to Marian Keyes for as long as I can remember and she’s definitely my inspiration to become a writer – her light touch on heavy issues that affect normal people every day is just magic.
Kelly: She is a wonder! I also love how she writes about everyday life when it gets tough. So, what can we expect from you next?
Liz: I’ve just sent Fi my second manuscript and I’m waiting for her feedback, so fingers crossed! Then it’s hopefully off to the publisher later this month. It’s called the Right Wrongs, set in an inner-city Sydney scrapyard and also Yorkshire, England, and follows the story of a family secret that unravels when a backpacker comes to stay.
Kelly: Exciting! That sounds like another intriguing story. Thanks so much for your time. It’s been truly joyous to get to know you. I could have talked to you for so much longer and hope to in the future.
If you’d like to know more about Liz, keep an eye out for some bonus Reel content, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on Instagram or Facebook.
