Maria Michaels, Author

I'm excited today to welcome author Liz Flaherty to the blog. Liz, you are published with both Carina Press and your recent release is with Harbourlight Books. Would you give us a blurb of your latest release?

Early McGrath didn’t want freedom from her thirty-year marriage to Nash, but when it was forced upon her, she did the only thing she knew to do—she went home to the Ridge to reinvent herself.

Only what is someone who’s taken care of people her whole life supposed to do when no one needs her anymore? Even as the threads of her life unravel, she finds new ones— reconnecting with the church of her childhood, building the quilt shop that has been a long-time dream, and forging a new friendship with her former husband.

The definition of freedom changes when it’s combined with faith. Can Early and Nash find a Soft Place to Fall?

I love that cozy-looking cover. Please tell me a little bit about your journey to publication.

Well, it was bumpy and it took a really long time. My first book was a Kensington Precious Gems in 1998. It took four years to sell another book to a small publisher—one that promptly sold and the new owner didn’t want the book. Another year, another small publisher, who published the book but was…well, less than honest. Got the rights back. Sold the book again. The publisher closed its doors. Eventually, I sold a book to The Wild Rose Press and they also bought my poor, unwanted second book, Because of Joe. I’ve since published with Silhouette Special Edition, Carina, and Harbourlight.

How long have you been submitting your work to editors and/or agents?

Since the mid-1990s. I’m not sure what year. I’ve worked with three different agents, all of whom worked very hard to sell my books, but things just didn’t click. I’m without one now, and only time will tell whether I’m being smart about that or not.

How many years have you been writing?

Since I was in fifth grade, which is a really long time. For publication, since the 1980s, which I wrote a newspaper column. That was fun!

Do you have any advice for authors as yet unpublished?

I just answered that today on another interview, and I’m going to quote myself: Have a great time. Write every day. Don’t give up. Unless you’re not having that great time, then do give up.

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received? Muriel Jensen sent me a letter once, and at the bottom of it, she wrote, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” I kept that note until the ink had faded so much you couldn’t read it anymore.

What are you working on now?

Steven’s story. If you remember him from One More Summer, you’re probably not surprised I’m writing the story. You’re probably also not surprised that it’s difficult!

Where can we find you on the web?

http://lizflaherty.com or http://wordwranglers.blogspot.com/ or, once a month, at an exciting new blog http://contemporaryromancecafe.com/

Thank you, Liz!

Thanks for having me, Maria!