An Interview with Liz Cain

Liz Cain is a nuclear medicine physicist by day, and an urban fantasy author by night. She was born in East Yorkshire in the UK and grew up near the sea with her parents and two sisters. She moved to the midlands, which was much too far south for her, and spent 2twenty0 years trying to move back to her hometown.

Liz has travelled at every opportunity from Thailand and Australia to touring national parks in North America. Liz has done lots of crazy things for charity, including skydiving, running, swimming, and even cutting off her hair. While out on adventures she finds herself weaving intricate tales in her head, which one day she had to write down.

Liz has loved reading her whole life, growing up with Anne McCaffrey, Mary Stewart, and Terry Goodkind. Becoming an author happened by chance when she jumped at the opportunity to help a friend tell a story that deserved to be told. It inspired her to follow her lifelong dream and now she is self-publishing her own kickass, no-nonsense FMCs who you’ll love.

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

Maria V Snyder. Her books got me out of a five-year reading slump. Reading more led me to discover Facebook reading groups and indie authors. One author contacted me when I said I wished I could get paid to read, because I loved it so much. I used to beta read for her but her passion for writing decreased over time. I’m not sure how but I went from beta reader to coauthor to writing my own books. I learned how to publish by myself, and took that big step earlier this year. I’ve not looked back since.

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

My full-time job is as a Nuclear Medicine Physicist in the NHS. I support the treatment and diagnosis of cancer.

What I love about the Portals of Science and Magic series is how I was able to incorporate some of my scientific background into the story. And, if anyone uses my science to create a portal, then please let me know!

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

I started publishing to create worlds and stories that readers can escape into. When I’ve had the hardest times in my life it is reading that has got me through. Being able to escape into another world when life gets tough means everything to me. I want to be able to provide that for my readers, and hope that I can help their mental health and ability to get through each day.

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

My Facebook community, Citizens of Cain (by Liz Cain). I have been incredibly lucky to find such wonderful readers who have gathered into a small community. There is such love and support in that group that I often find it overwhelming. They are the highlight of my day!

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

I am currently working on a spin-off series in the Dealer’s Choice world. I love Greek mythology and the Star-Crossed series is loosely based on one of my favourite myths—Orion and Artemis. I love adding my own twists to fairy tales, myths, and legends. Star-Crossed Enemies is an urban fantasy series set in Chicago.

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