Author Interview: Sally Scott

With Fromage due to be released on the 1st of October, Sally Scott, took some time to chat with Beauty and Lace.

Get to know Sally in this interview.

Tell us a little about yourself…

I’m 55, have four cats, a grumpy husband and I’ve lived in the same art deco house for 18 years. I started writing when I was eleven and I’ve dipped in and out of writing ever since. There are over 60 short stories and five other novels sitting in drawers. I once tried to write poetry, but it was too saccharine even for Hallmark cards. I read constantly, both fiction and non-fiction and I spend HUGE amounts of money at independent bookshops. I tend to buy the real book rather than electronic because I like the smell and I love using fancy bookmarks.

You have lived in different parts of Australia, do you have a favourite?

I’ve lived in Tasmania (where I was born), WA, Queensland, and Victoria. My heart is, and will always be, in Tassie. I was born in Sheffield under the magnificent and serene face of Mt Roland, and I go back home as often as I can.

Who are your favourite authors?

Favourite authors are so hard! I love Virginia Woolf, and I think the short stories of Katherine Mansfield are amazing, although not as good as Alice Munroe who is a genius short story writer. I read a lot of crime: Christie, Wentworth, Paretsky, Cleaves (love, love, love), Grafton, Meuller, Marelle Day (3 absolute gems), Whish-Wilson, Disher, and heaps more.

What are you currently reading?

I’m re-reading Joan London’s The Golden Age. I always read this when I’m writing to remind myself of how a truly superb novelist works. Particularly about being concise – such an important skill. I’m also reading Disher’s Peace and the non-fiction book I’m reading is The Secret Twenties, about spies.

Fromage is the first novel in the Alex Grant series, do you know how many novels will be in the series?

I have quite several Alex Grant stories. But now I’m focused on the first three: Fromage, Oranges and Lemons and Pinot Noir. The murder weapons are in the titles.

Tell us a bit about Alex Grant…

Alex Grant is in her early thirties and it’s the 1990s in Perth. Alex can’t cook, hates cats, has a major shoe obsession, and loves her mum and her best friend, Ben. Alex is a sticky beak which helps in her role as a freelance journalist writing for a local paper. Luckily for her, she gets all the food gigs and manages to land herself in the middle of some big stories. Most of which feature dead bodies.

Are any of your characters based on real people?

Only one character in Fromage is based on a real person. She passed away some time ago, so she won’t be offended. Otherwise, my characters are all 100% invented. Alex is the kind of woman I’d like to go shopping or to a party with. She is a fun, happy person who is obsessed with shoes and technology.

What is your favourite part of writing?

My favourite part of writing is the first draft where I just sit and blob it all down as it flows through my mind. It’s fun because I’m focused on how many stupid things I can get Alex to do. That first unplanned draft is a joy.

Who is your target audience?

This is a hard question because I haven’t got a particular reader in mind. I write to make myself giggle and because I love the genre. The people who will probably ‘get’ Alex the most are women and I hope there is no age demographic. Alex has been in my head for 20 years and I’ve laughed with her through all those ages.

Where can our members follow you on social media?

I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Fromage by Sally Scott is available in all good bookstores and online at Fremantle Press.