Q+A with sapphic romance author Elizabeth Luly

 

Elizabeth Luly is the author of two sapphic romance novels, Not Just Gal Pals and Novel Problems, both of which are based in the cosy, small-town fictional setting of Sapphire Springs, and feature characters you'll root for to the end.

I caught up with Elizabeth to chat about her books and writing.

 

When did you start writing fiction? Tell us how it all began.

I loved reading from an early age and always wanted to write a book, but I didn’t think it was something I could actually do! Just before COVID hit my wife introduced me to a friend who writes romance novels. Her friend inspired me to give it a go, so while I was on parental leave with my first child I set myself the goal of writing a book. Parental leave was isolating–we were still coming out of the Melbourne COVID lockdowns—and I was missing the intellectual challenge of my day job, so I threw myself into my first novel, From LA to London, with Love, which is a M/F romance between a bisexual single mother and a famous Hollywood movie star, with a cast of queer characters. I fell in love with writing and haven’t stopped since!

Why romance?

I really enjoy exploring how our upbringing, past relationships, and other experiences influence our approach to dating and love. Romantic relationships play such an important role in so many people’s lives, so the highs and lows are something most people can relate to. I love queer romance in particular because it celebrates queer love and centres people who traditionally have not a lot of positive representation in books. The guaranteed happy ending is also a huge draw card for me–I read for escapism and knowing that the couple will make it through their issues to their happily ever after enables me to relax and enjoy the story!

Do you have a favourite character in your books or one you are particularly drawn to?

I adore George from Novel Problems. George owns the cafe-bookstore in Sapphire Springs and is a very kind-hearted, warm and loveable person. She has an inner strength and an ability to keep her cool under pressure that I find very attractive. She also has a great sense of humor, an adorable golden retriever, loves books, and is an excellent cook!

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m somewhere in between—I usually have a rough idea of where things are going, but I don’t have a detailed outline or know exactly where each chapter will take me. I tried detailed plotting once and lost interest in writing the book almost immediately. I need the excitement of discovering the story as I go to keep me powering on!

Coffee, tea, or something else to fuel your writing?

Coffee! There’s nothing better than sipping a delicious cappuccino while writing at my wonderful local café (which is exactly what I’m doing right now as I type these words!).

What's a fun fact about you that readers wouldn't guess?

I love theatre, especially musical theatre, and during the five years I lived in New York I saw well over 100 plays and musicals, including Hamilton twice. It was an expensive interest, so I became an expert at how to find discounted tickets!

If your latest book became a movie, who would be your dream cast?

Ohh! For The Floral Arrangement, which is coming out in March, either a younger Cate Blanchett or an older Emma D’Arcy would be perfect to play Roz—the ice queen who throws in her high powered New York consulting career to buy Red Tractor Farm. And for Olivia, the small town florist who butts heads with Roz before falling into a mutually beneficial fake dating arrangement, I could imagine a brunette Renee Rapp.

What's your proudest moment as an author so far?

Holding my first book in my hands was incredible, as well as having the fantastic romance bookstore The Ripped Bodice stock my book at its Brooklyn location and tag me in a reel!

One LGBTQIA+ book you always recommend.

There are so many amazing LGBTQIA+ books out there, this is like asking me to choose a favourite child! I’m going to have to mention two. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is one of the books that got me into queer romance and I absolutely adored it. I’m currently recovering from a book hangover after reading Ribbonwood, a wonderful sapphic romance by Aussie author Ruby Landers that’s set in Queensland. If you haven’t read Ruby’s books yet, you’re missing out—she’s terrific!

What's next? Are you working on another novel?

My next book, The Floral Arrangement, will be out in March! It’s a sapphic ice queen enemies-to-lovers fake dating rom com set in the fictional town of Sapphire Springs, NY. I’m putting the finishing touches on it now, and it’s already available for pre-order. After that, I plan to write a sapphic holiday romance also set in Sapphire Springs. Lots of ideas are swirling about for that one, so watch this space!

 

Be sure to follow Elizabeth Luly on Instagram at @elizabethlulyauthor and pick up her heartwarming romance books.