Liz Newton - Biography

Liz Newton was born in Australia, has three adult children and currently lives in Sydney with her husband and dog.

Extensive travelling including road trips across continents, sailing adventures and family holidays, has provided inspiration for creative writing and photography.

Liz has worked in health services and, in particular, mental health including drug and alcohol, in a variety of roles, as well as teaching and tutoring at universities and involvement in health research and ethics.

Her academic background is in Anthropology and Comparative Sociology. Research has included exploring issues of indigenous suicide, vocational training opportunities for people with mental health issues, and a PhD doctoral thesis on the ethnography of deinstitutionalisation for people with mental illness, resulting in many peer reviewed publications.

More recently Liz has enjoyed the freedom and creativity of fiction writing, without the constraints of academic publications.

Poems

Reflections (2021)

Reflection is selection of twenty poems. The poems can be purchased through Ginninderra Press, click here to access.

 

Mosaics (2022)

Mosaics is selection of twenty poems. The poems can be purchased through Ginninderra Press, click here to access.

Short stories

 

Secrets and Wishes (2022)

In this selection of compelling short stories, Liz Newton takes the reader into the lives of others, where relationships and families are dissected and reimagined. A myriad of characters, across different landscapes, weave their journeys of loss, love and survival through everyday and oftentimes unusual circumstances. The short stories can be purchased through Ginninderra Press, click here to access.

Books

 

The Firing Line (2019)

The Firing Line is the compelling true story of a girl growing up with her family from the mid-1950s. The ensuing few decades become a time when everyday life for her mother, brother and sister, and herself, changed when their father became mentally ill with manic depressive psychosis (now known as bipolar disorder), and then became addicted to prescribed barbiturates washed down with alcohol. Anecdotes of happy and tragic times are dotted with spot fires, and actual fires. Striving for a ‘normal’ family the reader is taken on a journey through the vagaries of childhood, and turbulent teens into adulthood. An emotional roller-coaster of pathos, aggression and fear, is juxtaposed against humorous coping skills. Dreams, love and loss, collateral damage and resilience uncover the truth about nearly forgotten times ultimately pierced by indelible memories.

 

 

 

Jagged Edge of Joy (2017)

“This novel skilfully weaves together a tale of love that explores one mother s joy and another ones grief The grey depths of a tragedy exposes each of the characters in a way that demonstrates that love can have many reflections that endure. One act of deception engages the reader on a journey across the world to face truths and revenge. ”

- Addison Russell, author of The Invisible Journey

“When a child disappears without a trace, each member of the family is plagued with feelings of guilt. This is a gripping story that takes the reader on a journey to the depths of despair. tinged with fleeting moments of happiness and the jagged edge of joy. ”

- Vivian Waring author When Tears Ran Dry

“Well written, with an extraordinary twist in the tale that you won t see coming. Entertaining and brilliantly told, neatly woven together. ”

- Alison Lewis, author of Seasons of Life & Missing

“While happiness is hidden in plain sight, it is grief, pain, secrets and lies which fuel Jagged Edge of Joy, stoking the coals of this riveting read - impossible to put down! ”

- Chris McGuigan, Kensington Review

“Liz Newton has dug into the heart of what haunts parents all over the world - the disappearance of a child and the all the heartache that involves. This novel deserves to be a bestseller. ”

- John Morrow's Pick of the Week

 

 

Meandering (2014)

A selection of short stories set in different time
periods, where a myriad of characters wander
across a variety of landscapes.
Along the way they face everyday and
sometimes unusual circumstances.

 

 

Faraway on an island (2013)

“ Sit back and read this fantastic book about island life, swimming with love, romance and intrigue. You won’t regret it - in fact it may just change your life forever. A captivating story ”

- John Morrow’s Pick of the Week

“ This is a gentle book with just enough blue skies and oceans and island scenes to lull the reader, and just enough tension and intrigue to add spice to the recipe. A very creditable debutnovel with lovely characters and a superb sub-plot. ”

- Wendy O’Hanlon - Acres Australia