Elizabeth S. Sullivan: The IAN Interview

Elizabeth S. Sullivan

Elizabeth S. Sullivan was born in Chicago and grew up in the LA area. Impassioned by social justice issues, inspired by her parents, she pursued teaching and earned a law degree. She has written five screenplays, one short. Her screenplays have placed or won such as: Nicholl, Austin, Page, and American Zoetrope. These recognitions garnered her a manager, Alexia Melocchi, Little Studio Films. Her first novel, Purified portrays a strong female protagonist in the genre of a noir thriller.  Sullivan explores issues of race, gender, privacy in the cyber age. She has written several blogs on of women in fiction featured on Venture Galleries.  She is busy working on the sequel to Purified and a new screenplay. 

IAN: Please tell us about Purified.

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: When a mutilated body of an African American girl is found in a park sandbox, the media shows no interest. Instead, their attention is riveted on the disappearance of Olivia Safra, a college student and only child of the powerful and dangerous Richard Safra. Suspended ADA, Beck Oldman, demoted to a rookie PI is assigned her first cases to find a missing teenager and Olivia Safra.

Leads connect the murders to the Safra case. The investigation into her client's private life reveals a dark side in the relationship between a father and daughter and exacts his wrath against Beck. More girls are found murdered, putting Beck in a race to stop a serial killer and stop her own client from destroying her.

PURIFIED is a thrilling story that explores many dark subjects, including what it does to those who have to live in the world of killers in order to stop them.

IAN: Is your book published in print, e-book or both?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: Purified is in both ebook and paperback form.

IAN: Where can we buy Purified?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: At Barnes and Noble and Amazon

IAN: What inspired you to write Purified?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan:  I was inspired by Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain and all of the thriller and mystery writers that have entertained me throughout my life. I am also motivated by social justice issues. All of my stories have one or more at the core. Purified was a perfect vehicle for me to explore this in my favorite genre.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: The title, Purified, came from one of the important themes explored, cannot reveal it as it is a key clue. I did a lot of research on this issue and it seemed the perfect title.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Purified?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: My hope is readers are tricked by the twist in the ending. My most fervent hope is that readers feel they have met a new female PI whose flaws are not that of the usual burned out male PI. Women handle things differently than men, including women who have to track down killers. Beck is a unique protagonist, one I hope they find tough but sympathetic.

IAN: How much of Purified is realistic?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: All of the issues in the book were researched, so a good deal of the book is based on reality and facts including Beck’s flaws.

IAN: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: Shakespeare is an important influence in my reading. While I have been moved, motivated, and utterly entertained and influenced by many writers, I do not know of any who has made my jaw drop, LITERALLY, so often than Shakespeare, or has brought me to tears and hours of self-reflection.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: Currently I am reading Jo Nesbo’s The Redeemer and A Freeman of Color by Barbara Hambly.

IAN: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t write. Reading is what
inspired me to write. The love of story, its ability to transport, and the love of words.

IAN: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: It is particularly challenging for me to write every single day. I find many distractions that keep me from confronting my own anxiety as to whether I can pull of completing another page and feel it is worthwhile.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Elizabeth S. Sullivan: The next book I am working on is the sequel to Purified. Beck, Will and her arch nemesis, Richard Safra will return a case that involves revenge and murder.

Visit Goodreads.com for more info about Purified