An Interview with Liz Crowe

Liz Crowe, a native of Kentucky and a proud alumna of the University of Louisville, has carved a distinctive path through life, marked by her adventurous spirit and diverse professional roles.

Currently residing in Greenville, South Carolina, Liz has lived across three continents, enriching her perspective and experiences, which she pours into her multiple professional endeavors.

Beyond her identity as a mother of three and a former real estate agent, brewery owner, bar manager, and professional fundraiser, Liz thrives in her roles as a digital media marketing consultant and author. You’ll find her writing–when she’s not walking her rescue dogs and listening to audiobooks, reading, or watching her Louisville Cardinals play sports.

Her passion for writing has brought her kudos and awards, with a thirty-plus book backlist and portfolio that includes compelling narratives set in unique locales, and various dynamic industries from real estate and sports venues to distilleries and breweries. Her books, known for their intricate plots and memorable characters, offer readers a blend of humor, frustration, and satisfaction that lingers long after the last page is turned.

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

I’ve always been a voracious and fast reader. After I got my degree in English Lit, I began working in public relations and fundraising but didn’t realize that I wanted to write fiction until I was well into my forties. I think it was a combination of reading a lot of books in one of my favorite genres that disappointed me and made me think “Oh, I can do that better.” Well, I couldn’t, really. Or rather, I definitely didn’t until I had several years of practice on it under my belt! The biggest influence on me wanting to write books that delve deep into relationships of all sorts was Margaret Atwood. Jennifer Cruisie and Mary Force are also big influencers on my contemporary romance and rom com novels. My suspense /thriller influences include Liane Moriarty, Lisa Jewel and Stephen King.

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

Well, it might take less time to list things I haven’t tried, but I’ve been in nonprofit fundraising and events for the arts and animal welfare agencies. I’ve sold real estate, beer, wine, and newspaper ads back when those were still a thing. I’ve owned a craft brewery and tap room. I’ve been a brewery distribution marketing consultant. I’ve been PTO president and head of a football booster club fundraising committee. I am currently a freelance digital marketing consultant to an animal shelter, a mid-sized law firm, and a real estate sales group. I’ve also lived in three different countries (Japan, Turkey, England) and my youngest was born in Japan, so her first seven years of life were lived overseas as an expat American. OH! I was also arrested by the Turkish gendarme. I should write a memoir…I’ll add that to the list!

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

The title was easy (for a change—they aren’t always). I knew I was creating a particular narrative involving five families who lived in an exclusive, old-money neighborhood on a cul-de-sac, so that title came pretty naturally. Don’t ask me about my current WIP because every time I pick a title, I change it!

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

I loved my cover. I found this artist through a collaboration with Reedsy and am beyond thrilled with how it turned out. This is something like the fortieth book I’ve held in my hands, but I will admit this one feels way different to me, and not just because it’s my first non-romance. I still get excited when I see it on shelves.

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

“Murder on the Dance Floor”—Sophie Ellis-Bextor is the theme, straight up, no chaser.

Other songs include:

“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter

“Cruel Summer” – Taylor Swift

“Take Me To Church” – Hozier

“Apple” – Chari XCX

“This Is the Day” – The The

“Nightswimming” – REM

“You Be Me For A While (And I’ll Be You)” – The Replacements

“Every Breath You Take” – The Police

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

I’ve had a fair number of new-to-me readers say things like “I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong!” and “I really disliked these characters but I couldn’t stop reading about them!” That is what I want. I’ve written a lot of books in which most if not all characters are 100% likable. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting that, I really enjoyed coming up with some compelling characters who could be disliked but still, you know, “compelling.” That’s the experience I want this book to create.

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

I’ve been rewarded with a ton of new readers, which I definitely had hoped for. I’d say 97% of my existing fans also really like this book, mainly because I did tend to push the envelope a bit with that whole “likeability” thing event with my romance characters. Some of them were an acquired taste, not because they were mean or bullies or jerks but because I kept them real. I have been so gratified to find a new audience to go with my existing one with Cul-de-Sac. I’m eager to hang onto them with another domestic suspense I’m planning called “The HOA” or maybe just “HOA.”

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

That novel that defies a title right now? It’s a rom-com that is 100% inspired by Ted Lasso, a series I have proudly watched five times, start to finish. It’s set in the U.S. with American football as a backdrop but it’s a fish out of water, similarly in that the new coach has, shall we say, been promoted well past what his experience would warrant to a pro team (fictional) head coaching position. The owner of the team is a woman who was a “friend with benefits” with him back in college (they are now in their forties) who, it turns out, thought it was more than just a friends-with-benefits situation and she never got over how she believes he dumped her when they graduated. She wants to end his career and bring down her family’s football team all in one fell swoop. Player stories abound, similar to Ted Lasso, but there is a romantic resolution, unlike Ted Lasso. I am doing this as a collaboration with a bourbon distillery in Louisville (my hometown) which is going to lead to lots of fun tie-ins, promotional ops, and a special small batch of bourbon with the book cover as the label. After that, I’ll be working HOA (or is it “The HOA”? What do YOU think?)

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