Liz Allan: Female Friendships, The Value of Literature & Australia

After moving from Australia to follow her dreams, Liz is now one of The Observer's 2026 Best Debut Novelists for her book In Bloom. She's been praised by The Guardian, Alice Slater, Saraid de Silva and Louise Hegarty for her complex depiction of girlhood in an isolated Australian town in the 90's. She's also been interviews for The Times about her book and her work as a teacher in the UK. She's even been noted in the BBC's wider list of 12 Books to Read in 2026. We get to talk about how grunge music became an empowering escape for girls like The Bastards of In Bloom and how female friendships have always been a strong support for Liz. Get the book ⁠here⁠ or at your local seller.