For my second author interview this summer, I talked to my friend Liza Brock, author of Hot Chocolate in Wonderland about her publishing and creative journey. Liza and I both wrote for OC87 Recovery Diaries and met first online when we were invited to the publication’s writer’s retreat by our wonderful editor there, Gabriel Nathan. The retreat took place in Cape May, New Jersey, and as the five international guests, we started a WhatsApp group where we bonded. We were already close by the time we met at the retreat, and we how to see each other in person again soon.
On to Liza:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’ve been married for 15 years and a mumma to 3 children, 14, 12 & 9.
We live in Brisbane Queensland Australia.
I have travelled the world and love living in Hot Climates. I don’t do cold!
My favourite place is Istanbul, Turkey, without a doubt. Germany, Singapore and the rest of Europe. I’m not a fan of the United States. I lived in Los Angeles for a year and I didn’t enjoy it at all. I do however like New York but who doesn’t? Right!
I’ve had a very diverse career working within the entertainment industry from the age of 15, as an actress, successful recording artist, TV Presenter and business owner of a theatrical agent representing Australian Actors here and in LA. I now own an online e-commerce eco-friendly business and I’m a passionate Vegan.
How/when/why did you start writing?
In 2011, I started writing after a long arduous bout of depression. I’d been clinically depressed for over 6 months and was admitted to hospital.
During my stay, I was put on medication that worked. All of a sudden it felt as though the cork of a champagne bottle had exploded. My creativity was bursting. Oh, how I’d missed the creativity. (I guess after 6 months lying on the floor depressed, that will do that to you!) before I knew it, I’d written a novella in a space of 2 weeks.
The title changed three times.
‘Insanity and Beyond” (Toy Story reference)
‘Louise May, Truth love and Madness.’
And……… tell you later on.
My twice-named Novella stayed sitting on my laptop scared stiff.
But I knew, I needed to tell this story. I contacted a friend who is a writing consultant, and we got together. He was the first person ever to read my Novella. It scared the shit out of me.
Anyway, he helped me find my voice and gave me the license to be me. It stayed like that for a couple of years. Not published.
When I came out of the hospital and subsequently was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I jumped onto as many bipolar Facebook forums as I could. Must admit, I was pretty agro at my diagnosis and added a few unpleasant truths here and there.
The editor of one of America’s award-winning bipolar online magazines (bphope.com) reached out and asked me to be there international blogger, which of course I did.
I spent two years blogging with them and during this journey, another online mental health company reached out and I wrote an essay for them. This lead to being flown to America on a female writers retreat and a short film doco being shot about my personal journey with bipolar depression.
It was really strange the way my writing career began. As weird as this sounds, it literally found me. I was not seeking to be a writer, I just had opinions and all these opportunities started to come my way.
I also had an English writer reach out and I contributed to his book, ‘The Recovery Letters’, that was published by Jessica Kingsley Publisher in the UK and USA. Subsequently, this book has won an award. Not because of me, lol.
Can you tell us about Hot Chocolate in Wonderland?
What’s Hot Chocolate In Wonderland? Ahh! well – there it is. The 3rd title of my book.
Hot Chocolate in Wonderland (aff. link) was my novella turned into a novel. I have a writing mentor and he worked with me to restructure the book and encouraged me to write more about Louisa’s life journey before her depression.
Hot Chocolate In Wonderland is a semi-autobiographical heartbreakingly funny look at one woman’s journey into the void of depression and bipolar disorder, with two of the worst alter Egos you could possibly ask for.
Think, Bridget Jones Diary, Meets, Silver Linings Playbook with a touch of Ab Fab.
What was your publishing journey like?
Where to start?
I have published 3 books now. I created a workbook diary for people struggling with depression, anxiety, etc.. This is called ‘THE HAPPY MIND WORKBOOK’. I created it and published it via Lightning Source which is now owned by Ingram Spark. My wonderful husband did all the graphics for it and the hardest part is getting all the specs right and proofing etc. It was sold in Hard Copy however most of my customers were in the US and to post my book from Australia is way expensive. So, I made it only available via e-book.
The Second Book, The Recovery Letters, was one of those land in-my-lap invitations.
The publishing contract was in place and all I had to do was contribute my piece.
OC87 recovery diaries is an online publisher that reached out and I submitted my essay. The Editor in Chief, (Gabriel Nathan) worked with me to fine-tune it. Very easy wonderful process.
Now. Hot Chocolate in Wonderland has been one hell of a journey.
I was determined to get a writing agent and to be traditionally published. I had that stuck in my head. A part of me and, I’m sure other writers think that, unless you get ‘traditionally published’ you’re not really published! or worse still, you’re NOT a writer.
Well, I know that’s how I felt.
I submitted my work for 2 years to agents. My mentor said after 100 agent rejections, then think of self-publishing. Well, I got to around 60 and my ego couldn’t take another rejection so I decided to self publish via Ingram Spark.
This was a very good idea. It’s fantastic to finally after many, many years, have my book out for all to see.
Do you have any tips for writers reading this?
Yes. Don’t be afraid of anything. We are all writers and unique in our own way. Don’t compare yourself to any other writer. (you’d never write a thing)
Read! read and read SOME MORE! THIS IS THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN.
Find a mentor, someone who can give you solid advice.
Give your book to people, get them to read it, ask them to tell their friends and spread the word. Don’t be backwards coming forward. Writing is ART.
Your ART.
Let people read it.
Mentors are not that hard to find. Reach out to someone you admire within the industry. It’s surprising how ‘open’ particular the more mature successful people are to help out a new writer.
Self Publish, don’t be afraid – like me. It’s not a failure. It’s awesome. This is the way it all seems to be heading.
Beware: of Vanity Publishers!
Vanity Publishers are a new breed of publishers that basically will rip you off. They advertise online asking people to submit their work. They then will come back with a contract to publish, however, they will want anywhere from $5K+.
It may work for some people but I can tell you. You do NOT need to pay that. Do it yourself as mentioned. They simply are a con artist and rip you off.
If you do self-publish, make sure you pay for your book to be professional FORMATTED and get a smashing book cover!
I see self-published books with no appealing cover. Your book cover sells your book.
Go to fiverr.com and employ someone with great reviews. They’re out there. And they’re cheap.
And that’s that.
I wish you joy and many many, stories to float around in your head.
Where can follow you on social media?
INSTA @hotchocolateinwonderland
email: hotchocinwonderland@gmail.com
