Liz Flanagan
I grew up in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, and moved back here so my daughters could grow up in this beautiful landscape too. I have recently completed my PhD in Creative Writing, and now divide my time between teaching - currently at Newcastle University - and writing. I also love doing school visits and talking to young people about creativity. To find out more about a school visit or to book me for your school, please contact Authors Aloud by clicking here.
For a few years, I ran Lumb Bank, The Ted Hughes Arvon Centre. This fantastic job meant supporting a fresh batch of writers every week, hosting literary evenings, talking books, making meals, and juggling all the unpredictable and varied tasks that come with managing an historic building. Before that I lived in London and Brighton, and worked in children’s book publishing for many years. I still do some editing and mentoring of other writers, and find it so satisfying to see a creative project taking shape. Sometimes it feels as if I've had many different jobs and roles. But being passionate about reading, writing and children's books has been a constant thread throughout it all... |
Liz's debut novel for Young Adults EDEN SUMMER was published in the UK in July 2016 by David Fickling Books
Early praise for EDEN SUMMER:
“A breathless read”
Guardian’s ‘best new children’s books’ round-up
“Readers will be hooked by this raw and emotional read”
The Sun
“A truly gripping plot ... beautiful, emotionally rich writing.”
The Bookseller
“Flanagan has a real ability to write from the heart, frankly and honestly, in a way that teens will love.”
Book Trust
"A top notch contemporary read... The lush, lyrical quality of [Flanagan's] writing reminded me of Jandy Nelson”
The Bookbag
"A powerful exploration of the extraordinary power of friendship, both truthful and intense. It's that rare and wonderful thing, a thriller of the heart, written from the heart, and it hits home straight to the heart."
Melvin Burgess
"Dazzling, gripping, leaves you gasping for air"
Brian Conaghan
“Very compelling”
Crime Review
“Liz Flanagan plays a blinder in this stunning debut ... a beautiful, heart-rending tale ... The rugged, awe-inspiring countryside of West Yorkshire plays a starring role in this tense, highly-charged journey through adolescent friendship, loss, betrayal, bullying, tragedy and self-discovery ... A powerful, gripping debut from a talented new author”
Lancashire Evening Post
“A really outstanding debut”
Teens on Moon Lane
“The perfect fast-paced mysterious book to round off your vacation ... Think ‘Pretty Little Liars’, full of flashbacks, tension, and confusion in the best possible way."
United by Pop
"Bound to stick around in the back of your mind for months”
Sugarscape
Blog reviews:
Liz also writes short fiction - her short story Come Fly With Me was published in the For Books' Sake YA anthology (RE)SISTERS in January 2016 - and also for younger children - her early reader retellings of international folk tales: Starlight Grey and Cara and the Wizard are both published by Barefoot Books.
You can find out more about Liz at lizflanagan.co.uk and follow her on Twitter: @lizziebooks.
Early praise for EDEN SUMMER:
“A breathless read”
Guardian’s ‘best new children’s books’ round-up
“Readers will be hooked by this raw and emotional read”
The Sun
“A truly gripping plot ... beautiful, emotionally rich writing.”
The Bookseller
“Flanagan has a real ability to write from the heart, frankly and honestly, in a way that teens will love.”
Book Trust
"A top notch contemporary read... The lush, lyrical quality of [Flanagan's] writing reminded me of Jandy Nelson”
The Bookbag
"A powerful exploration of the extraordinary power of friendship, both truthful and intense. It's that rare and wonderful thing, a thriller of the heart, written from the heart, and it hits home straight to the heart."
Melvin Burgess
"Dazzling, gripping, leaves you gasping for air"
Brian Conaghan
“Very compelling”
Crime Review
“Liz Flanagan plays a blinder in this stunning debut ... a beautiful, heart-rending tale ... The rugged, awe-inspiring countryside of West Yorkshire plays a starring role in this tense, highly-charged journey through adolescent friendship, loss, betrayal, bullying, tragedy and self-discovery ... A powerful, gripping debut from a talented new author”
Lancashire Evening Post
“A really outstanding debut”
Teens on Moon Lane
“The perfect fast-paced mysterious book to round off your vacation ... Think ‘Pretty Little Liars’, full of flashbacks, tension, and confusion in the best possible way."
United by Pop
"Bound to stick around in the back of your mind for months”
Sugarscape
Blog reviews:
- “An excellent thriller with vibrant, emotionally driven characters and a superbly written backdrop” - Words from Darren blog and YouTube video
- "I was gripped from the beginning and didn't put it down until I finished” - The Reader’s Corner blog
- "A story that I needed to follow to the end” - Luna’s Little Library blog
- "An incredibly powerful book” - JazzyFizzle blog
- “A bittersweet but uplifting novel about how to go on after your world has been irreversibly changed” - Young Writers North blog
- “Exceptional… keeps you guessing to the end” - Calderdale Libraries YouTube review
- "A perfect example of the brilliance of UKYA” - Overflowing Library blog
- "A compellingly, beautifully poignant read” - Crime Warp blog
- “Told with a sure hand, an emotional heart, and a sense of conviction that doesn’t waver… an immensely strong debut novel” - Armadillo
- “A beautifully gritty novel, which scrapes at your insides to hollow you out and then fills you back up again.”
“You can't quite help but feel changed ... This summer, this is the book you want by your side.” - Weaving Pages blog
Liz also writes short fiction - her short story Come Fly With Me was published in the For Books' Sake YA anthology (RE)SISTERS in January 2016 - and also for younger children - her early reader retellings of international folk tales: Starlight Grey and Cara and the Wizard are both published by Barefoot Books.
You can find out more about Liz at lizflanagan.co.uk and follow her on Twitter: @lizziebooks.
Rights Sold
EDEN SUMMER
Italian - De Agostini
North America - Scholastic Inc
Germany - Aladin
RIGHTS HELD BY DAVID FICKLING BOOKS
Italian - De Agostini
North America - Scholastic Inc
Germany - Aladin
RIGHTS HELD BY DAVID FICKLING BOOKS