Sarah Pearse: there are so many things that you can’t control, so all you can do is write the best book you can

I am ridiculously excited to share this conversation with Sarah Pearse, author of two books, THE SANATORIUM and THE RETREAT. I was lucky enough to read an ARC copy of The Retreat recently and I devoured it on holiday in three days. Sarah’s books are so evocative and she writes such a powerful sense of place that the reader can’t help being pulled into the setting.

Here, Sarah tells us what it was like finding out her debut was chosen as a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick (every debut author’s dream!!!) and she shares such great advice for new writers.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, one of my earliest memories is writing a little piece at school when I was in reception on what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said: ‘book writer’ - I don’t think I’d quite learnt that the actual job title was ‘author’! I was a voracious reader when I was younger and I think when you love books, it’s a natural step to want to write one yourself.

What led to your offer of representation? 

I was picked up through the ‘slush pile’ process – I submitted my novel using the usual process of sending in three chapters and a cover letter and I was lucky enough to have quite a few agents ask for my full manuscript. From then, I met with three agents who were offering representation and chose from there!

What was the process involved and how did it feel having your debut selected as a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick? 

I knew very little about the initial process for RBC as this was all handled by my publisher and I wasn’t even aware that it had been submitted. The first thing I knew about it was when I got a very cryptic email from my editor in the US asking if I could hop on a Zoom call. She told me almost the minute we got on the call – cue much screaming all round! From that moment on, it was a very special whirlwind, and something I’ll always be grateful for. Reese’s Book Club ensured The Sanatorium had a level of exposure it would never have had otherwise, particularly as a debut and I’ve connected with so many readers and authors across the world as a result.

Did you feel pressure to produce another bestseller when you wrote your second book The Retreat?

Not really – it probably sounds a strange thing to say but after the success of The Sanatorium I realised that there are so many things about the publication process that you can’t control, so all you can do is write the best book you can! Each book I write is a book that I would like to read and that’s all I can do from my side in terms of making it a success! For me, the joy of being an author comes from the writing process itself, which isn’t at all dependent on its success and from interacting with readers, so I’ll write for as long as I have readers, whether a large number, or small! 

What does an average writing day look like for you? 

Fitting in writing around my children! I usually have a school run to do first thing and general household admin so I’m usually at my desk at around nine-thirty am. I try to fit in a walk first thing as well if I can to clear my head, and then I write more or less constantly until the afternoon school run!

What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?

Firstly, I would say write a book that you look forward to writing and reading - something that excites you and makes you want to get the words down on a page. You spend a lot of time with your manuscript at all stages and live with it for several years or more, so if you don’t draw pleasure and excitement from it, it’s probably not the right book to be writing!

The only other piece of advice I would give is to not give up – it really is hard to get those initial words down on the page and maintain the momentum but try to break it down into chunks and celebrate each mini-milestone. Don’t worry about polishing every page to perfection – that can come later, in the edit. Just focus on getting the story down.

What are you writing at the moment? 

I’m writing a new Elin Warner thriller (the third in the series) set a little further afield. Elin is away with her brother, Isaac, when an unexpected case rears its head…

And just for fun…

Your most anticipated reads of the year?

Too many to mention! I’m hugely excited to read Stacy Willingham’s second novel, All The Dangerous Things – I have an ARC and can’t wait to get stuck in. High on my list is also Fiona And Jane by Jean Chen Ho – I’ve heard great things about this series of stories about two friends. I’m also looking forward to Steve Cavanagh’s new novel, The Accomplice – his novels are always page-turners so I know I’m in for a treat with this one! Sabine Durrant is another favourite author so her new novel, Sun Damage, will be topping on my summer reading list.

A favourite book you’ve read recently…?

I loved Stacy Willingham’s debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark – gripping and beautifully written. Up there for my book of the year!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Aside from reading, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and two puppies, especially at our beach hut. I love to kayak and paddleboard, hike and run. In the winter months I love to ski!

Your dream weekend would be…

Spending time at a gorgeous hotel either on the coast or in the mountains with my family, eating delicious food and

A TV show you’d recommend… 

My go-to ‘gripping’ show has to be Line of Duty – there are very few shows that I’d clear the schedule for, but this is most definitely one of them. In terms of something you’d want to completely switch off to, I’m a huge fan of Below Decks – perfect escapism!

Thank you so much Sarah for sharing more about your journey to publication!

THE RETREAT is out on 21st July and I’d highly recommend adding it to your reading list!

You can find out more about Sarah on her website and follow her for all the behind-the-scenes action on Instagram.

Thanks for reading.

Sara x