Gabriela Fowler - Highly Commended Cheshire Novel Prize 2024 for ‘Venus in a House of Tears.’

Newly represented by: Susanna Lea Associates Ltd

Gabriela Fowler is an Australian-Mauritian writer who calls London home. Her essay, “No Longer Running From Her Emotions,” was published in The New York Times column Modern Love. She holds an MA in modern literature from UCL and currently works as a creative copywriter. Her debut Venus in a House of Tears follows a love triangle that starts in a seaside psychiatric ward, bringing a beachy, queer twist to the story of being madly in love.

What made you enter the Cheshire novel Prize?

Hope. I really believed in this book, but I needed someone else to believe in it too. This prize felt like a win-win – if I got longlisted, I knew I was onto something. And if not, I’d get some feedback and figure out my next steps.

What did it feel like when you were LL and SL?

Longlisting was the win I had been waiting for. As a writer, you face a lot of rejection. But it makes those moments of success even sweeter! Hearing how rigorous the judging process is, I felt so proud of myself. And being shortlisted was surreal – the top ten! I’m still so grateful. 

What was the reaction like from those around you? Family? Friends?

I’m very lucky to have really supportive friends and family. A lot of them said, “We always knew you’d do it!” I’ve talked about my novel for years, and they’ve been by my side through a lot of difficult times. I think they were so happy to see me get this recognition.  

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

It’s an idea I’ve been thinking about for over a decade. I always said that if there was one story I’d ever tell, it would be this one. I really poured my heart and soul into it. 

How long did it take you to write it?

I started writing it during the summer of 2023, but it’s been floating around in my mind for a lot longer. I recently found a notebook from when I was backpacking 11 years ago, and I had written some ideas about this story in there. I was working on another novel for a few years (which I’ve now lovingly set aside) and some parts of that were woven into this book. 

What advice would you have for anyone thinking of entering?

Think about what makes your story unique and focus on that. Sara – the founder of CNP – always says it’s a commercially-focused prize. So have your hook in mind, and make sure everything you write aligns with that. Then just really go for it!  

What’s changed for you since entering?

I’ve been signed by Cara Lee Simpson at Susanna Lea Associates, which was another surreal moment! And my confidence and mindset have shifted significantly – I really feel like I can do this now.

What’s your novel about?

It’s a queer love triangle that starts in a seaside psych ward. So it’s about following your heart when you can’t trust your head, how the legacy of a love affair never leaves us, and the realities of long-term mental illness.

What’s your writing routine?

I work as a creative copywriter full time, so I squeeze in writing fiction whenever I can. My routine fluctuates – sometimes I’m really in the flow and writing thousands of words a day, other times when I’m busier I might just be noting a thought here and there. I do try and write every day – in bed before I go to sleep, on the tube, in bars or cafes. Every little bit counts, but I’m also not too hard on myself – I see living my life as great fodder for fiction.

What’s next for you?

Polishing my manuscript with my agent. It’s so wonderful to collaborate with someone who really understands the story I’m trying to tell, and to work together on making it the best it can be.

Have you done any writing courses?

I did two courses with Curtis Brown Creative, which I’d definitely recommend. I learnt there’s a big difference between being a great writer and a great novelist. 

What are your two favourite books and why?

Two enduring favourites are The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman. I read The Bell Jar as a teenager and have reread it many times since. I owe so much to that book. And I adore Aciman’s writing – his love stories are always so nuanced and bittersweet. 

What advice do you have for any aspiring writers?

Write for yourself. Follow your heart and your curiosity. It can be a long and lonely road, so make sure you love spending time in your fictional world – nobody can take that away from you.