I’m so chuffed to share this conversation with debut author Ali Lowe. I discovered Ali through another author, Holly Craig, and I’ve loved following her journey to publication. Her book, The Trivia Night, is just the kind of book I love - a binge worthy, witty domestic suspense thriller about adults behaving badly and the consequences that follow. It’s set in Sydney (one of my favourite cities) and even before publication, Ali’s book was said to be “perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty,” author of Big Little Lies.

Here, Ali talks about how she enjoys the editing process and how she found her agent.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I don’t think I really considered it as a career until I was at university, although I did spend my childhood writing stories and (terrible) song lyrics. I did a classics degree at Exeter and while I was busy studying the Greeks and Romans, I wrote for the university newspaper: anything from news stories to film reviews. That led me to doing a postgraduate magazine journalism course, which in turn led to a 20-year career in magazine and newspaper journalism in London and Sydney. But I always wondered if there was a novel in me, and so after having my third child, I signed up for the Faber Academy Writing A Novel Course in Sydney, which is where I wrote The Trivia Night.

What led to your offer of representation?

The Faber course produces a paperback anthology every year, and a chapter of The Trivia Night ended up in the book. This landed on the desk of my agent, Marina de Pass, in London, and she emailed me to request a full manuscript. I sent the book to her on a Friday night, Sydney time, and when I woke up early on Saturday morning, there was a message in my inbox from Marina saying she’d been reading it all day (while I was asleep) and wanted to represent me. I burst in to (happy) tears and then asked my husband to re-read the email to check I wasn’t going mad.

What has been the best part so far and what has been the toughest? 

The best bit - aside from getting offered a two-book deal with Hodder & Stoughton - has been seeing the book on bookshelves and having emails drop into my inbox from readers who have enjoyed it. In terms of writing, my favourite part is the process of editing the skeleton first draft – finessing the character arcs, as well as adding the sub-plots and the dark humour.

The toughest part (and I’m clutching at straws here because I’ve honestly enjoyed it all) has been learning on the job how to navigate podcasts and interviews. I’m getting used to it now, but it doesn’t come naturally to me - as a journo I’ve always been the one asking the questions, not answering them!

How long did it take you to write The Trivia Night?

The skeleton draft, as I call it, took about eight months, and then I spent two or three intensive months fleshing out the story and editing it.

What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?

Write to the end. Start your story and get it down until you reach the final chapter. Don’t be tempted to go back and finesse chapter one for hours on end, because if your book ends up anything like mine, you’ll lose that first chapter as the story unfolds, anyway! Get it written and then you can edit. I’d also recommend choosing just one writing book for help - don’t read all of them at once because, in my experience, it can hinder the creative process. I love Stephen King’s On Writing, and that’s the one I’m sticking to!

Any tips on cover letters/synopsis/pitches?

I was lucky - my route to finding my agent didn’t involve a massive pitch, but I did need to send a synopsis of book two to my publisher in rather a rush. If you’re planning to send out your manuscript, it’s a good idea to have a rough concept for a second book on the backburner in case you’re asked. You want agents and publishers to know you have more than one idea up your sleeve!

What are you writing at the moment? 

I am currently doing the edits for my second book, The Running Club, which is out next year with Hodder. I’m also at the end of the first draft of a third book, which I have absolutely loved writing.

And just for fun…

Your most anticipated reads of the year?

Whatever is next from Sally Hepworth. I adore Sally’s novels.

A favourite book you’ve read recently…?

Can I have two? The Wedding Night by Harriet Walker and My Best Friend’s Murder by Polly Phillips.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Go for pizza with my husband and kids, catch up with girlfriends or hit the gym.

Your dream weekend would be…

On a sun-lounger with a book in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, about 1.5 hours flight from Sydney.

A TV show you’d recommend…

Bridgerton. I binge-watched season two last weekend and I’m still thinking about The Ton! Such good TV.

Huge thanks to Ali for a brilliant insight into debut author life. I can’t wait to hear more about your next book!

You can find out more about Ali on her website and also find her on Instagram.