An Interview with Elisabeth Conway

British writer Elisabeth Conway has lived and worked in Southeast Asia for many years in an area that she now considers to be her spiritual home and from which she takes her inspiration. Elisabeth has written a historical trilogy set in and around Singapore between 1822 and 1831. She now lives in the UK but continues to visit Singapore/Malaysia whenever she can.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title of my latest book, Living the Legacy, came to me as the obvious choice for the conclusion of the trilogy. My protagonists have values and beliefs that have been handed down to them, but they have carved their own way and are now ready to live their own lives in a situation that will ultimately lead to the independent republic that Singapore has become.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I knew what I wanted for this cover design and cooperating with Ronaldo Alves has been, as ever, a delight. The image in the locket is taken from a painting produced at the time of the story and the blue ribbon holding it represents the blue sash that features significantly in the plot. Seeing the idea come together on the cover gave me tremendous satisfaction—in this particular volume and in the way it fitted with the designs chosen for the other two books. They look as if they belong together and I’m receiving very good feedback from people who have purchased Living the Legacy.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

My writing, until about six years ago, has been mainly non-fiction, but I’ve always wanted to write fiction and when I retired from F/T work I decided to fulfil that desire. Historical fiction was an obvious genre and my fascination with Southeast Asia provided the springboard for the original story. After that, to some extent, my characters took over and provided further inspiration.

The writer whose own books (mainly set in Penang) I greatly enjoy and who has influenced me is Tan Twan Eng. I’ve also found inspiration in some of the old paintings and photographs of Singapore in the 19th century.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

1. Documentary film-making; working in the Voluntary Sector; Training Consultant.

2. I design batik paintings.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Having a very supportive and encouraging team at Atmosphere to work with—and then seeing/receiving the end product.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Maybe the music for Singapore’s National Anthem, but no words as that would be too modern. Otherwise, it would have to be some harmonious traditional Chinese music.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

The value of true friendship. Knowledge of other cultures, attitudes to women—and the fact that not much has changed in the last 200 years regarding trafficking.

My perfect reader is someone who finds themselves immersed in an unfamiliar or forgotten setting, enjoys getting to know the characters, and finds the stories gripping.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I am beginning to write a novel which is based on the life of Sophia Raffles, after the death of her husband. It is set in England, but will have flashbacks to the life she led with Stamford Raffles in Sumatra and Singapore.

I’ve also begun to produce batik paintings again and I intend to produce some images that relate to the stories in my books.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

I have had a very positive and enjoyable experience working with Atmosphere. I think they truly live up to their ethos of prioritising the human aspect of publishing.

I started by asking lots of questions before I signed the contract, which clarified any issues. Ever since, I have found them to be supportive, well-organised, professional, and friendly.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.