Authors and friends in conversation

TASKED with solving a second mystery, Edwina ‘Ted’ Bristol PI has returned this month in Elizabeth Coleman’s latest book, A Dance With Murder.
As part of the release, the Ballarat author and screenwriter is set to take readers behind the scenes and give them a look into her process at a Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute-hosted event in February.
In conversation with friend and local author of The Woman Who Knew Too Little, Olivia Wearne, Coleman will largely discuss the Ted Bristol sequel, and overall series.
“It’s so lovely to connect with readers, because you’re locked away in your office for so long when you’re writing a novel,” she said.
“Then to get out and about and meet readers, interact with them and answer their questions is just so great.
“It feels like a lovely cherry on top after all the hard work, and with local people it’s extra special.”
Coleman is also a screenwriter, known for her work on television series, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries.
“People are very interested in the transition from screenwriting to novel writing, so that’s always something I like to talk about that engages people,” she said.
“But I’m open to talking about what Olivia wants to chat about, and what the audience wants to ask me about as well.
“I don’t want it to be too formal, I’m really happy if everyone gets into it.”
Coleman and Wearne met and developed a friendship last year when they realised they were both Ballarat based and releasing new novels one day apart.
“We hit it off straight away and loved each other’s books,” Coleman said.
“I’m hoping she’ll have a new book next year and that I can return the favour and chat to her about hers at another author event.
“She is a lovely connection to have in town.”
Wearne said A Dance With Murder is a lot of fun, full of twists and turns.
“We don’t want to give too much away about the book, because there’s thrills and spills,” she said.
“I’ll ask Elizabeth about her process as a writer, what brought her to writing, and what a day in the life is like for her.
“For me as an author, where each book I write is quite different, I’m intrigued about what it’s like to write a series, where each one ends on a cliff hanger.”
The pair had an in-conversation event at the BMI last year, which Wearne said was a “smash hit.”
“We got really positive feedback and everyone had a ball, so as well as being informative and a behind-the-scenes look, we know this one will be a lot of fun,” she said.
“Elizabeth and I have a really good chemistry, we have a lot of laughs, and it’s very entertaining.”
A Routine Infidelity, the first book in the Ted Bristol series, set in Melbourne, was published at the start of 2023.
“Ted has a miniature schnauzer called Miss Marple who helps her solve crimes,” Coleman said. “The books are what I’d call ‘cosy crime,’ but with guts.”
In Conversation with Elizabeth Coleman will be held on Wednesday 7 February at 6pm, with tickets available at ballaratmi.org.au.