1--What is the title of your latest release?
TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON
I chose the title whilst pondering over the expression ‘every dog has its day.’ Does everyone have their day? A time in their lives that is full of joy and fulfilment.
The three women include Ivy Moon, a spinster who has always lived with her parents. She discovers a terrible betrayal that has resulted in negatively impacted on the course of her life. Georgie Robinson, hairdressing salon owner, whose poor choice in men lead to loan shark heavies turning up on her doorstep. Georgie’s employee, Clara finds herself pregnant by Georgie’s feckless ex-partner. How will they change the course of their lives?
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
The elevator pitch of my novel is ‘intrigue.’ The book is a thriller and focuses on the impact that change, deceit and betrayal have upon the three women in the novel. We as people and readers love to delve into the multi layered psyche and lives of our fellow men/women.
My novels tend to be set in the 1990s and journey to the present day. I remember very well the times before technology was available in its current form. Mobile phones were still scarce, and this led to the isolation my protagonist Ivy Moon and people like her found themselves.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I chose to set the novel in an English town, where a routine way of life dominated the community.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Would I be a friend of the protagonist in the book? Ivy Moon suffers greatly when her mother passes away, due to the betrayal and deceit that comes to light after the death, which send her into chaos and disbelief.
I might well have crossed paths with Ivy in a professional capacity as a social worker, supporting her with bereavement counselling. I doubt I would have socialised with Ivy nor would we have had the opportunity to meet, as we wouldn’t frequent the same places.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Three words to describe the protagonist at the beginning of her journey are, repressed, isolated and lonely.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Whilst writing the book I learned that in most cases, no matter how bad things are in life there is hope and the possibility of change, however, you have to reach out for support. I believe that help in its many forms, will show itself, but the individual has to be proactive. Everyone with the right support can work through grief and loss, whilst working through pain often helps a person to grow as an individual and can lead to a magical life journey. Life won’t come knocking on your door, you have to seize moment, seize the day.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit my manuscript when the book is finished. I revise the chapters and look for any discrepancies. I employ a copy editor to do a final copy edit of the book, to ensure it is professionally edited before presenting to a publisher.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
My favorite foods. Chocolate is my favourite treat, especially Cadburys milk chocolate. I love pasta with everything and anything. I am vegetarian so fresh vegetables and fruit are a must. I have blueberries and raspberries every morning with yoghurt, honey and seeds. Another treat would be a scone with strawberry jam and cream.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
My office is our dining room, it is full of books, and I have my laptop on the table situated by the window, so I can look out onto the garden and see the trees and birds and squirrels. It is a warm peaceful room, where my two dogs and previous dogs settle down with me as I type my stories and the hours fly by.
10--Who is an author you admire?
This is a difficult question. I read a lot of nonfiction especially when researching for my books, however, I read many genres, but I do like East End gangland fiction by author Martina Cole, its raw and gripping, it allows you to dip into this world of crime and then step out of it again. Over the years I have read the novels of Jeffrey Archer, he is an excellent storyteller. I love a novel set in the Victorian era, the asylums, and workhouses, I am interested in social history; it makes you appreciate the comforts we take for granted in our daily life.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I cannot say a book has changed my life, however, from the books I read I do take from them - history, a new or different perspective, wisdom, reading offers us an ongoing education.
I have self-published six novels and have my own website.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
When I had edited the manuscript of TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, I decided to approach a smaller publisher who had published books, that I have read and enjoyed. I submitted my manuscript to Collective Ink publishing, online to their fiction imprint; Roundfire.
I was both delighted and excited when a Roundfire representative informed me that they considered my book would sell thousands of copies and would therefore, publish my novel.
It is a great feeling when a publishing company considers your work marketable and worthy of their name, and they are willing to invest in your work and feel confident they will get a return on their investment. It gave me a sense of validation, that my work had been appreciated and worthy of publishing.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I enjoy dark, psychological novels with twists and turns, similar, to the books I write myself. I also read a lot of nonfiction on subjects that both interest me and/or relevant research for my books.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
My favorite movie of all time is REBECCA written by Daphne Du Maurier, the old black and white version with Sir Lawrence Oliver. I also love the film ‘The Firm’ with Gene Hackman. Both are gripping and have a deep emotional context.
15--What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is spring, when new life emerges, the birds build nests, the spring crocuses and snowdrops bring hope and positivity for the coming year. I love the sunshine, blue skies and warmth. Spring is a time when I plant seeds and grow plants and vegetables. The tulips and daffodils emerge from their slumber under the earth. I love the outdoors and enjoy the garden and taking walks.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My birthday is 23rd December, when it is cold and often dreary, so my husband and I take a weeks’ holiday in Tenerife Canary Islands over the Christmas period. So, I get to celebrate my birthday in the sunshine. I prefer to celebrate all other occasions at home with my husband and our Pomeranian dogs. My husband is a fantastic cook, so I prefer to dine at home.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
A recent TV drama I loved and would recommend was ‘This Is Our City.’ Set in Liverpool and Spain. The story revolves around a gangland family and their criminal activities. It raises issues of trust, betrayal and staying ahead of the game.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I am a vegetarian, and I love any vegetables with pasta, tomato sauce and parmesan cheese, or any cheese. I love vegetable curry and lots of lovely fresh salads sprinkled with Stilton blue cheese.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
My free time is spent with a walk to the local gym where I do weights and attend fitness classes, I like to walk the dogs, be outdoors in the garden amongst nature. I also paint with acrylics. I paint mainly wildlife.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I am already 83000 words into my new novel, which is a thriller with a witchcraft theme running through the story, but the book is not about witchcraft. The characters start off on the path they are given, until they are able choose a path in life they think will take them closer to their goal, but at what price?
A Novel
Early in 1990, three women of different ages and lifestyles cross paths in the most innocent way. Ivy, a lone spinster whose fantasy world gets out of hand; Clara, an employee at Georgie's hair salon, who finds herself alone and pregnant; and Georgie, whose choice of men brings loan sharks to her doorstep. Their worlds become interwoven, as conflict arises between them due to white lies and unusual occurrences. Ivy feels that she is wasting her life, following the death of her mother whom she lived with all her life. But soon she discovers that her deceased mother is guilty of an unforgivable betrayal and her world comes crashing down around her, as her beloved mother becomes the subject of her wrath - the cause of Ivy's life of missed opportunity and fulfillment. As Ivy becomes a regular at Mrs Lamper's weekly seances, she returns to seek solace as she struggles with despair and years of being kept in the dark. Georgie Robinson also seeks help from Mrs Lamper, as her world spins out of control. And Clara's pregnancy, fathered by Georgie's feckless ex-partner, further complicates Georgie's life, as loan sharks close in and use covert means to access the women's lives. None of the women is aware of the others' contact with Mrs Lamper. But with a little help from the 'other side,' this connection will send them on a roller-coaster journey where actions have consequences. But where will the journey end? Clara's pregnancy has been fathered by Georgies feckless ex-partner, and this further complicates Georgies life, as loan sharks close in and use covert means to access the womens' lives. None of the women is aware of the others' contact with Mrs Lamper; however, this connection, with a little help from the 'other side,' will send them on a roller coaster journey where actions have consequences. But where will the journey end?
Women's Fiction | Mystery | Thriller [Collective Ink Ltd, On Sale: May 27, 2025, e-Book , ISBN: 9781803418193 / eISBN: 9781803418261]
Julie Conrad lives in Cheshire, UK. When she isn't writing novels, she enjoys painting with acrylics and is a member of the Altrincham Society of Artists. A retired social worker and Regulatory Inspector, Julie was also a Practice Teacher in the training of student Social Workers. Julie has featured in the Manchester Evening news and Wigan Observer, and has been interviewed a number of times on local radio station, Radio Alty. Julie loves nature and supports animal charities, RSPCA, PETA and other grass root charities, and believes in kindness to all.
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