Emily Perkins in conversation with Lisa-Jean O'Reilly from Unity Auckland

What does a day in the life of Emily Perkins look like?

I’m writing full-time at the moment, which looks shockingly like not doing very much. There’s the actual writing of course but also a lot of reading, walking, staring into space.

I like to connect with people on WhatsApp, and end the day with real-life hang-outs with my husband and son – although I’m usually in the middle of work when Karl gets home from the studio. Instagram has replaced Twitter as my drug of choice.

How did you come up with the plot for Lioness?

The short answer is, over time. I had Claire’s story first, but I also knew that Therese would be dealing with a public scandal of some kind. Once I realised Therese was the narrator, the plot unfolded from there.

How long did this novel take you to write?

I had a first pass at it in 2015 or 2016, then it sat unattended to till about 2019. I worked steadily on it, alongside other projects, from 2021. So it felt like I was carrying it with me for a really long time, but I think that process made each successive draft richer.

Did you always want to be an author?

When I was young I read The Young Visiters (that’s the correct spelling), which some of your customers might know of – a novel published by the precocious Daisy Ashford, who was 9 years old when she wrote it in 1919. It is an absolute riot of a social-climbing romance about the tragic Mr Salteena, and Wikipedia tells me there was a rumour it was actually written by JM Barrie. I like to believe in the 9 year old authoress, as she would undoubtedly have been called. She was my hero and inspiration as a child.

What was your initial reaction when you learned Lioness had been shortlisted for an Ockham Award?

I was thrilled for the book, and for Bloomsbury, and incredibly grateful to the judges for their hard work on what must have been a really difficult set of decisions. I’m also super grateful for the extra attention the awards confer – with so many new books coming out all the time, this has a real impact. It’s complicated because there are many other deserving books I would have loved to see get the recognition too.

What is your favourite book of all time?

Hard call! I don’t think I have a favourite book of all time, but many memorable reading experiences. The one that comes to mind right now is crying on the London underground at the ending of Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth. Such a wonderful book, and probably an influence on Lioness now I think of it.

What practices, rituals, or habits do you have to set you up for a day of writing?

I love my little rituals. Love a candle, love a cup of tea or coffee, a bottle of water, and reading a few lines of any book from my bookshelf of favourites to get me going. This is after I’ve done W****e, of course.

Finally, what is next for you, Emily?

I’m sorry to say another novel. I was hoping to stick with short pieces for a while because it feels so good to finish things, but this novel idea has taken over so I’m in it for the long haul. It’s about marriage, and it’s called Annoying.