Alicia Thompson grew up on a farm in Wollombi NSW. She has worked as an accountant, photographer, editor, adventure tour leader in the Middle East and China, business analyst and writing teacher.
Her debut novel Something Else was published by Nine Star Press in 2021, and this was followed by her first foray into crime writing with Ex, published in 2024. Alicia posts about her books and creative writing classes @aliciathompsonauthor on Facebook and Instagram. More can be found on her website www.aliciathompson.com.au.
The Hand is set to be released in 2027.
What inspired you to be a writer?
I’ve wanted to write ever since I could read. I wanted to create worlds to escape to like my literary heroes. It all started with Enid Blyton and Kenneth Grahame.
What prompted you to write 'The Hand'?
My life has straddled city and country Australia, and I am old enough to have seen huge changes in the workforce and society for women in both arenas since I was young. I enjoy exploring these issues via my characters and stories. Something Else was a M:M love story set in the imagined town of Bruce, NSW. The Hand is set earlier, in the seventies, mainly in the Riverina, but my protagonist Fiona Macklin also hales from Bruce. I love the idea of building up a network of history and connections for my
characters throughout different novels.
Do you have any more books in the pipeline?
My back burners are full so it’s a juggle! The Hand is the origin story for my protagonist Fiona Macklin, so I am working on the next instalment which will cover the first years of her policing career a few years after the action of the first book.
What is your professional background?
I started life as an accountant which took me overseas. From there I became an adventure tour leader in the Middle East and China. Logical, no? Since returning home I have worked as a professional photographer, editor, spreadsheet nerd, consultant, writing teacher and general herder of cats.
Any advice you’d like to give to aspiring writers?
Stop waiting for that right time. The sooner you sit down and write ‘Chapter 1’, the sooner you will start learning how to solve your own writing problems. You are your own best teacher.
Who/what inspires you?
Other writers who create original or beautifully written work. People who don’t give up, but keep banging away for the sheer love of what they do, not because they want fame or money. Those who keep writing and submitting, rejection after rejection. These people have courage and passion.
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite books?
I’m a travel nut and I love reading books set in countries I plan to go to as research and atmosphere...and that also add to my travel bucket list in themselves (and writing books set in places I love is a great way to re-live them afterwards!).
I’ve appeared on a few quiz shows and I love a challenging game of Scrabble or 500 where I can match wits with other keen beans.
Favourite books...man, I hate this question. I’ve read close to 2,000 books in my life and you ask me to pick?
- Susan Hill for her beautiful prose and original and unsettling ghost stories
- The Brontes: Wuthering Heights for originality and Gothic Romance, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for its modernity and social/moral courage.
- The Great Gatsby for its concise art and message. A pocket wonder.
- London Bridges by Jane Stevenson. A standout choice for reasons that I barely understand myself. Sweet, curious, romantic, mysterious, quirky characters and story, a mystery to be solved, and set in my favourite city, London. It deserves much wider reading.
How can readers contact you?
Instagram & Facebook: @aliciathompsonauthor
Website: https://www.alicaithompson.com.au where you can sign up for my newsletter and offers and upcoming events such as my creative writing workshops
