420 ratings | 168 reviews | avg rating:4.37

Lissa’s Year In Books

Lissa’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at Lissa’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Lissa Oliver’s Followers (44)

Lissa’s Bookshelves

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read (426)

Lissa’s Friends (32)

Susana Imaginário

751 books | 72 friends

Martha Gayle

74 books | 78 friends

Steven Epstein

31 books | 3,953 friends

Kotryna Metr

766 books | 138 friends

Conor Kostick

196 books | 7 friends

Roy Hunt

26 books | 4 friends

183 books | 117 friends

Laura Elliot

14 books | 39 friends

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2025 Reading Challenge

2025

READING

CHALLENGE

Lissa Oliver has read 11 books of her goal of 7!

157%

Lissa Oliver

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United Kingdom

Website

http://www.lissaoliver.ie

Twitter

OliverLissa

Genre

Fiction, Thriller

Member Since

July 2016

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I've been writing fiction from beyond earliest memory, first published at the age of seven! Always a hobby, it inadvertently led to a successful award-winning career in journalism, which then led to the publication of my previously rejected first novel, Chantilly Dawns, now a No.1 bestseller and No.1 on Amazon and Kindle, a massive thrill. Two more racing thrillers followed, to much acclaim, and I recently finished a fourth for the same publisher, due out any day soon, Grey Motive, a cosy crime. I have always worked with racehorses and we have a retired one living with us at home. I specialise as a journalist in welfare and education for the professional racing and breeding industry. My other passion is music and I can be found at almost ev ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Lissa you are contracted to write for a publishing company. Having been in touch with and assisting self-publishers like myself and writers that have a contract with a publishing company what do you think are the pitfalls and advantages of both? If you wish only write comments that you are comfortable with. I am trying to learn from a very successful author the general differences that may not be obvious.

Lissa Oliver I self-published "Nero - The Last Caesar" initially because publishers had provided excellent feedback, but it was a niche audience and unsuitable for…moreI self-published "Nero - The Last Caesar" initially because publishers had provided excellent feedback, but it was a niche audience and unsuitable for mainstream marketing. Therefore my first piece of advice to self-publishers is to ensure your book is good enough for publication before racing ahead. Professional feedback is crucial. Also ensure it is perfectly proofed and edited, professionally if necessary.
As an "indie" author, you have sent your typescript to a printer and taken possession of a quantity of books (I would recommend just 200 at a time, re-ordering as they sell). Now comes the hard work - marketing. Press releases, interviews, radio, book signings, whatever you can think of. Wholesalers won't touch small volumes, so you must also drive round to every book store, leaving in six copies to each on a sale-or-return basis, arranging to either collect the sales (minus the store's 33% commission) or the unsold books in four to six weeks.
That's the donkey work a publisher spares you, but you are in full control and know exactly how many copies are selling where. I found "Nero - The Last Caesar" sold well in university towns and from museum shops, but not in my hometown, despite 'local author' publicity. It continues to sell well on Amazon.
My next novel was a horseracing-based thriller and very much mainstream. "Chantilly Dawns" was accepted by a publisher and all I had to do was sign the contract. Contracts are tricky and the Irish Writers' Union provides a free negotiation service to its members, so that was invaluable. My publisher offered the perfect contract, however, so no negotiating necessary and I have found Maverick House excellent to deal with throughout our three novel (to date) journey together.
It was hard not having control or direct knowledge of sales, but that's rectified by a statement twice a year showing sales and royalties due. The royalty payments follow the statements. Much easier than physically collecting monies from book sales!
The only pitfall to watch for when getting a publisher is the contract. Ensure the rights will revert back to you after a reasonable period, you are not responsible for libel where the publisher has made changes, and royalties are within Irish Writers' Union recommendations - 10% of gross cover price, at least 25% rising scale on eBooks.
Having a publisher removes much of the post-publication hard work and leaves me free to write the next book, although I am still expected to contribute to marketing by agreeing to interviews and engaging in social media.
I would recommend finding a publisher as a first choice, but not to fear self-publishing, if you take a professional and unrushed approach. Indie authors are currently doing well in the marketplace. Just don't be in a hurry to get your book out there - take your time and do it well.(less)

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Apologies Lissa, I just wanted to obtain a deeper understanding of what you write. Could I suggest from reading Sainte Bastien - and particularly Nero which I am reading now - that you have an interest in characters that are conflicted or contrasted? I am interested too if you would like to describe what theme you may have identified in my books.

Lissa Oliver No apology needed, it's good to get the brain exercised! And a spot-on observation, I do have an interest in characters who are conflicted, because th…moreNo apology needed, it's good to get the brain exercised! And a spot-on observation, I do have an interest in characters who are conflicted, because that's the essence of drama. Without conflict, there is no drama - and without drama, there is no story. Taking a normal person and setting them down in an abnormal situation, or taking an unusual person and setting them within a normal situation, are probably the most common structures of story, particularly comedy. The big attraction to Nero, for me, was that he was forced into a situation that he couldn't safely escape and, worse, one that was at direct odds with his own political and social beliefs.
The theme I read into both your books was of the search. The characters of The Golden Age Dawns are searching for something, not always knowingly; and there was a strong sense of the author needing to answer his own questions within Easter Rising 1916: A Family Answers The Call, a personal search for justification of events, as well as the quest for freedom which is at the book's heart.(less)

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Combine Editions
Lissa Oliver’s books

Average rating: 4.03 · 254 ratings · 21 reviews · 7 distinct works • Similar authors

	Chantilly Dawns 4.22 avg rating — 85 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sainte Bastien (The Skullcap Trilogy Book 3) 3.59 avg rating — 82 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Gala Day (The Skullcap Trilogy Book 2) 4.14 avg rating — 65 ratings — published 2004 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Nero - The Last Caesar 4.50 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2002 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Grey Motive 4.57 avg rating — 7 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tales Of The Turf & Other Worlds it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1999 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Nero: The Last Caesar - The Life and Times of Emperor Nero it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Lissa Oliver…

70 posts
Lissa Oliver's Blog

A Magical Mystery Tour!

The True-Life Adventures Of An Imaginative Skoda

Last Saturday our car took us on an amazing, magical journey.
For me it was a journey to Coolmore Stud in Tipperary, always a magical trip. It was a well-trodden path and we had no need of the built-in sat nav. Which was just as well.
Our car opted for the less well-trodden path and appeared to be off road for much of the early part of the ninety-minu Read more of this blog post »

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Published on January 22, 2025 10:27

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Lissa’s Recent Updates

Lissa Oliver and 81 other people liked Thomas's review of Alaska Bloodlust: "4 stars for book 2 in a trilogy. I read book 1, Alaska Deadly, in the trilogy and strongly advise you to do so also, as this book is a continuation of events that happened in book 1. This book has spoilers for book 1. Race Warren is a private detecti" Read more of this review »
Nov 13, 2025 11:02PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Alaska Bloodlust by J.L. Askew. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Alaska Bloodlust by J.L. Askew <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lissa Oliver rated a book it was amazing Max and Holly go on holiday by Eoin McLoughlin	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Although a children's book and perfect for readers or as a book to read to younger children, it will definitely be enjoyed by adults, too! It's a great adventure, a very simple tale children will love, but with far more twists and turns than the usua ...more
Nov 04, 2025 03:24AM · 2 likes · like · see review
Lissa Oliver is now following Eoin McLoughlin Author of Max and Holly go on holiday
Nov 04, 2025 03:24AM · like
Lissa Oliver rated a book it was amazing Max and Holly go on holiday by Eoin McLoughlin	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Although a children's book and perfect for readers or as a book to read to younger children, it will definitely be enjoyed by adults, too! It's a great adventure, a very simple tale children will love, but with far more twists and turns than the usua ...more
Nov 04, 2025 03:23AM · 2 likes · like · see review
Lissa Oliver and 1 other person liked Rita Chapman's review of The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard: "I love Natasha Lester's writing and this is her best novel yet! The emotions and passion, particularly between Hawk and Astrid and Blythe and Jake are so deep, so intense that they pull you into their love stories. Sometimes you want to give them a s" Read more of this review »
Oct 17, 2025 11:54PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lissa Oliver and 22 other people liked Mel (Epic Reading)'s review of Victorian Psycho: "The word selection in Victorian Psycho is a lesson in being descriptive, concise; whilst still creating major creepiness. The fewer words read might actually make it more gory and disturbing; as your imagination fills in this blanks during this Victo" Read more of this review »
Oct 17, 2025 11:53PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lissa Oliver liked Robert Craven's review of The Faber Berryman: Poems Selected by Michael Hofmann: "I got caught up in a traffic jam recently and for two hours had this slim book at hand. I was grateful for it. I discovered Berryman after The Paris Review re-issued an interview with him just prior to his death in 1972. The Irish connection is that h" Read more of this review »
Oct 17, 2025 11:52PM · see review
Lissa Oliver rated a book it was amazing A Glass of Albarino and a Pillowcase of Bones by Jon Flynn	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
It's the first time I've had the pleasure of describing a book as exquisitely written. I loved the way the memoir jumped back and forth in time, as though sitting in conversation rekindling old memories. It's a joyous life, full of love, lovers and h ...more
Oct 11, 2025 11:26AM · 1 like · like · see review
Lissa Oliver finished reading Grey Motive by Lissa Oliver (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 11, 2025 11:25AM · like
Lissa Oliver is now following John De Burca Author of The Music of Swords (The Dying Days of Draiocht...
Sep 26, 2025 04:42AM · like

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Goodreads Ireland: Hey! I’m Ashie ~	5	23	Sep 18, 2024 05:37AM
Horse Lovers Central: Challenge Books - Autumn 2024	12	17	Oct 27, 2024 04:10AM

Lissa’s Quotes

“I brought him down one evening and just set him in a chair, and never touched him afterwards. In two hours, I called Joseph to carry him up again; and, since then, my presence is as potent on his nerves as a ghost; and I fancy he sees me often, though I am not near.”
― Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

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“Democracy represents the dictatorship of the exploiting classes.”
― Che Guevera

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“The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything.”
― Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

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“Writers are the most pathetic souls when it comes to expressing their personal feelings. Their personalities are as complex as the characters they have weaved. And in a curious way, without them really knowing it, writers are the sum total of the characters they created in their heads or in their writings. Yes, My Dear Tania; writers are capable of reflecting their characters, even though most of them are determined to be just like your ordinary guy next door.”
― Janvier Chouteu-Chando

tags: altruism, betrayal, faith, family, friendship, hope, humor, inspirational, life, love, loyalty, motivational, philosophy, romance, solidarity, spirituality, success, truth, wisdom

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“Here's your first problem," he said, pointing at a sentence. "'Religion is the opium of the people.' Well, I don't know about people, but I think you'll find that the opium of pirates is actual opium.”
― Gideon Defoe, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Communists

Lissa’s Year In Books

Lissa Oliver’s Followers (44)

Lissa’s Bookshelves

Lissa’s Friends (32)

2025 Reading Challenge

Lissa Oliver

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Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
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70 posts
Lissa Oliver's Blog

A Magical Mystery Tour!

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Preview — Alaska Bloodlust by J.L. Askew

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Lissa Oliver’s Followers (44)

Lissa Oliver

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See a Problem?

Preview — Alaska Bloodlust by J.L. Askew

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Preview — Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

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