Submitting to Liza

Liza is looking for both fiction and non fiction.

For fiction, Liza is looking for: historical fiction that is well researched, immerses readers in the era, and looks at overlooked characters from the past, or perhaps gives a new spin on someone we think we know. On the literary and upmarket side, she is looking for novels infused with emotions that capture the human experience and make readers think. If your literary novel is something at A24 productions might turn into a movie, this is Liza’s taste. When it comes to fantasy, she loves urban and grounded fantasy (no sci-fi please!), romantasy, and is always happy to look at anything with a vampire, werewolf, witches, warlocks, fairies, and perhaps a sinister selkie or two. For thrillers, send her anything set in an exotic location, high-concept, or things with a speculative twist. She loves when characters are put in situations she would never want to be in, and then they have to get out of it.

On the non fiction side, Liza is looking for: books that teach her something new or reframe a topic from an alternative point of view. This can include cookery, pop science, and social history. 

*Please do not send her: novellas or unfinished manuscripts, sci-fi, horror, erotica, graphic novels, children’s books, middle grade, or poetry.*

Liza’s recent favourite non-fiction include: The Five, Femina, Matresence, A History of Art Without Men, Cook This Book, Dessert Person

Her recent favourite fiction includes: Notes on an Execution, How to Kill Your Family, Lady Macbethad, Hamnet, Fourth Wing, Babel, A Discovery of Witches, The Crescent City Series, The Starless Sea, Our Wives Under the Sea, The Pisces, and The Lamplighters.

Liza says… ‘I am always on the hunt for something new, whether that be voices, experiences, or knowledge. When it comes to fiction, I need to be hooked in the first few pages of a novel. I want to live in a character’s head and feel as though I am along for the ride. I love historical fiction based on real people, fantasy with a romantic thread (give me a love-triangle any day of the week!), and thrillers/crime that put characters in positions I would never want to be in. I also adore books with lyrical prose that make me reflect on life and feel all the feels. On the non fiction front, I adore books that challenge my perceptions of the world, teach me something in a fun, new way, and start conversations. Ultimately, I’m drawn to books I cannot stop thinking or talking about.’