Welcome to New Faces, where we are happy to spotlight debut authors in the romance industry. This week we welcome Liz Flaherty, whose book Always Annie is a June release from Kensington Precious Gems. Welcome to TRR, Liz!

Tell us about yourself.

I'm a mother of three, grandmother of four, who lives--and always has--in Central Indiana. My formal education ended when I graduated from high school, but the learning, of course, goes on and on. I've been married to my own hero for 28 years. His support--and that of other members of my family--has been unflagging. I'm not sure I would have survived the slings and arrows of getting published without that.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

I still work my day job. I've been a postal worker for 18 years. I also moonlighted as a stringer for a newspaper for a while and wrote a humor column called "Window Over the Sink" for three years. That was a lot of fun to do.

What led you to write romance?

I started reading romance when Harlequins were the only ones to be found, and they cost 40 cents, but my interest started with the reading of LITTLE WOMEN when I was about 10. I wanted to BE Louisa May Alcott!

Tell us about your road to publication.

The road to publication was long and bumpy. It took me eight years, off and on, to sell a book, which happened to be my sixth or seventh completed manuscript. I won several contests with other stories, and when I won first place in the first one I entered, I thought I was going to be an overnight success.

Well, it's been a long night! I have three friends, Jenni Licata (UNVEILED, Leisure, July, 1999), Tina Runge (TREASURES OF THE HEART, Berkley, November, 1999), and Judith Palmer (still working at it), who made such a difference. They've critiqued, supported, and laughed with me through the entire process.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

Hardly any. The places were familiar to me, and I only had to learn enough about the jobs to keep me from sounding like an idiot. My stories are primarily relationship ones. I like research, though, and my reference book shelf is beginning to sag from the weight.

Who are your influences as a writer? (other authors whose works you admire) LaVyrle Spencer, Pam Morsi, Susan Kay Law, Kathleen Gilles Seidel . . . a loooong list that I couldn't begin to do justice to!

What does your family think of having a romance author in their midst?

They are so proud. I feel like they're paying me back tenfold for all the years I spent developing bleacher-butt!

Tell us about plans for future books.

My next book, which isn't contracted yet, is a single-title and the true book of my heart. I hope it sells soon and repeat that daily litany "please, please, please" every time I check my answering machine. I'm agented now, and hope that helps.

How can readers get in touch with you?

I can be reached by e-mail at lizf1@juno.com (that's a one in there after the liz--confusing!) or flaherty@netusa1.net I'd love to hear from readers, pro or con. I'll have a web site in June, but not quite yet!

Liz, best of luck and thanks for joining us! Readers, check out our review of Always Annie.

May 31, 1999