Sarah Davis
- Oct 27, 2020
- 5 min read

Networking with Lizzie Chantree

Greetings and salutations!

I'm excited to showcase another wonderfully talented writer, Lizzie Chantree. Words she uses to describe herself are Inventive. Loving. Bonkers. In the short amount of time I have had to get to know her, she is also generous, uplifting, and creative!

To celebrate her upcoming release, Networking for Writers, this bestselling author agreed to chat with me. *starstruck* This book is chock-full of insight, advice, and suggestions for writers at any stage in their career. I carry it with me, a pocket companion that I will revisit many times during my journey with Inside Voices and all my other works-in-progress.

Hi Lizzie! Thanks so much for agreeing to answer questions today. You are an inspiration to many others. What inspires you to do what you do, specifically, write?

For me I find incredible inspiration in friends and family, as well as the writing community. I think taking a step away from my work to chat to others and find out about their day, really spurs me on to be more creative in my own studio. I love to hear about innovation and entrepreneurship, which is probably why my books are about that topic. They are full of feisty entrepreneurs with some pretty unusual businesses.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

To believe in myself. I have always strived to move forward in my career and love to try new ideas, but have always battled self-doubt. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learnt to push that aside and trust myself anyway.

Self-doubt is one loud, obnoxious nag who I still struggle to shove back in the barn and block the door. But I agree, with age and experience, it is easier.

What book do you feel is under-appreciated? How about overrated?

Most of the books I enjoy are widely loved too, but that might be because they are stories like The Hobbit or Pride and Prejudice! I read a wide variety of books and don’t tend to think too much about if anyone else enjoys them too, as we are all so different.

Favorite childhood memory involving books?

I used to sit on the floor of the library at the end of my road and have towers of books all around me. I could never decide which adventure to read first and often walked home with armful of books.

If you could dine with any literary character, who would it be and why?

Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit. That book made me fall in love with stories as a child and he’s such a complex character. Afraid but fearless.

I would select Bilbo to break me out of any sticky situation. A reluctant but able stealth. Ha!

What fantastical fictional world would you want to live in (if any) given a chance?

I prefer to live on Earth. I do love jumping into a fantasy read or a thriller every so often, but mostly I read romances. If they are set in Cornwall or somewhere equally beautiful like Italy or France, I’m even happier.

I've never been to that realm of the globe. If you are up for suggestions, seeing the flat plains of North Dakota dotted with groves of trees and sloughs filled with ducks...there is a magical beauty hidden here.

When I was younger and attended Catholic school, I wanted to be a nun. As I grew and became more intrigued by animals, I took a career path in veterinary science. It's only been recent that I tried my hand at writing. Did you want to be an author when you grew up?

I didn’t think about it at all. I tried creative writing as a teenager and enjoyed the classes. I was told I had real potential by the teacher, but other things came into my life and I took a different route. I ran my own retail and wholesale business for over fifteen years and invented new products. I became one of the female inventors of the year, which was an incredible experience.

What is your most unusual writing quirk?

I am always trying out new things and learn new skills quite regularly. My creative side is so inquisitive!

Movies versus books. A brilliant discussion for another time. I'm curious to know what one movie you like recommending to others is?

Maleficent. It’s a brilliant family movie.

Oh, I loved that movie! Two sides to every story and all that. Maleficent was a villain everyone could relate to and empathize with. And what magnificent horns? I liked them almost as much as the wings.

If you could own any animal as a pet, what would it be?

Probably an Elephant. I used to think I was one as a small child because both of our names began with the letter E!

Elephants!! I love elephants myself. I imagined raising them, here, on the farm. We have plenty of outdoor room, few natural predators. Just not enough warm indoor room, bread, or watermelons. Yes, a fancy dream only. Seeing them in the wild is incredible, although to watch one bath my dog...that would be something.

Have you ever met anyone famous?

I have. As an inventor, I have been invited onto many television programmes, such as, This Morning, Sky News, The ITV News, Open House with Gloria Hunniford, The Big Breakfast, QVC and more. I’ve also been lucky enough to meet some incredible authors, many of whom are well known.

I'm guessing everyone you met also thinks of you when they are asked if they themselves know any other famous folk. :)

Maud. Dot. Skye. Zach. Jemima. Lucas. Gina. Toby. How do you select the names of your characters?

They seem to select themselves!

Final question...no lifelines or phone calls allowed. If you were the last person on Earth, what would you do?

I’d probably travel as much of it as I could.

Hopefully, North Dakota will be on your travel itinerary.

Thank you so very much for talking with me today! I wish you the best on the new release, Networking for Writers! 😃

If you want to know more about her upcoming release:

Networking for Writers

Are you swamped with book marketing and looking for a way to find new sales? Learn simple and effective networking techniques, to grow your readership and connect with other authors and book lovers, today!

Whether you are a new or experienced writer, self-published or traditionally published, this book will show you how to grow your readership and author network, through some of the most powerful of all marketing tools - word of mouth and recommendation.

This book will show you:

How networking can help you sell more books.

Why author branding is important.

How networking hours work.

Specific Facebook groups for writers

How to utilise social media to grow your readership.

How not to waste valuable writing time.

How to make our marketing more effective.

Throughout Networking for Writers, we will explore running or attending book signings, hosting seminars, finding a writing buddy or mentor, author networking groups, social media planning and so much more.