Sara Foster - Author

Last post and author notes for the year - and last few days of my paid subscription offer for 2026! Will add links to stories 😄

Covers help - part 2! Help me choose my new book covers!
Some of you saw part one of my book cover rebrand process a few weeks ago, when I had five amazing covers to choose from. The votes went resoundingly to a cover that was stunning but sadly we decided it was also too horror/thriller to truly represent the inside of my books (which I’d term more as aiming for hearfelt, intense psychological suspense!). And the other choices were also deemed by some as too cold of thriller ish for my books. So we have had another round of working on this, and have these two for your consideration! I’d love to hear your thoughts and which one you prefer (some of the handwritten typeface may change) - thank you!

If you need some Christmas listening, my debut novel Come Back to Me is now available (almost) worldwide as an audiobook for the first time ever thanks to ❤ - and the reason I say 'almost' is that it will also be coming out in the US/Canada in audio and print next April - and I'll have some new ebook editions for the rest of the world too! This book is almost fifteen years old now, but it keeps finding new life and publishing homes, and I can't wait to reintroduce everyone to it more next year!

I have another Book Birthday to celebrate in December as Shallow Breath becomes a teenager - turning 13 this month! 🎉 Out of all the books I've researched, this one was both the best and the hardest by far as it involved seven narrative voices, five continents, and 20 years of one family's journey, along with months of research around animal behaviour and what happens when humans view animals as commodities rather than living beings. I also spent the promo period feeling slightly nauseous because I was pregnant and juggling a three year old! December is not an easy month to publish, and this is perhaps the least discovered of all my books, but it's one I took big risks on (along with The Hush!), and I'm incredibly proud of it. 🐬

My last newsletter for 2025 is out now. In it I’m Spotlighting a fabulous debut WA author , my new audio release of Come Back to Me with , cover updates, and that this is my final newsletter sent via the Substack platform. In my new-look newsletter next year, I’m going to be taking you behind the scenes of my writing, updating you on all my news, introducing you to lots of different elements of my books and wider work, and using some old photos to tell you a few stories from my twenty-five years working in the writing and publishing industry! If you’re already signed up, you don’t have to do anything, but if you’re reading this and would love to sign up, please head over to my newsletter subscribe links in the usual place 😍

Every month I write extra round-up posts for my paid subscribers on my substack (The Resilient Author) - this one highlighting industry talking points - and next year I’ll be continuing to draw attention to industry news as well as writing more posts on craft and creativity, and going behind the scenes of my writing journey. If you’d like to join me here then swipe through to check out the content and visit my stories for links to the sign-up discount page.

It’s been an intense year and a few days with the family soaking up this view has been just what I needed! Feeling very lucky - and hoping the chilled vibes we brought back with us last as long as possible (or at least make it past the weekend 🤣)

In addition to appearing at the opening night of the Kalamunda Readers Festival, I'll also be in-conversation on Sunday 22 March 2026 (11.30-12.30 pm) with writer and interviewer Nattie Kate Mason at Kalamunda Readers Festival, and we'll be covering as much ground as possible and having a mighty good time chatting about thriller-suspense reading and writing! Tickets available via my website or from the festival website https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/our-city/events-workshops/regular-city-events/kalamunda-readers-festival
After the event, I'll be signing copies of my books at the Dymocks pop-up stall in the Hall of Stars (Agricultural Hall) from 12:30pm - 1:00pm - and be sure to check out the entire festival as there are some fabulous WA authors attending (you can also buy a day pass to head to multiple events).

One I didn't get to share earlier - chatting about our culture's changing reading habits on substack. Read this one here: https://sarafosterauthor.substack.com/p/if-our-reading-habits-are-changing?r=te1fb

Final author notes of 2025: debut heartbreaks, bookseller insights, George R Martin AI controversy, the value of art and a dash of Helen Garner brilliance.

👉 https://sarafosterauthor.substack.com/p/author-notes-25-november-2025

I'm so delighted to be involved in the very first Kalamunda Writers Festival, and the opening night is set to be a lot of fun, as I'll be talking alongside authors Rachael Johns Author, Kate Emery and Michael Trant! Check out the details below - how good does this event sound? I do hope you'll come and join us if you can!

EVENT DETAILS:

Overlooking the stunning canopy of trees from the viewing deck of Kalamunda Community Centre, guests will be treated to a curated selection of local wines and a grazing board brimming with regional delights—perfect for mingling with friends and a chance to meet some of our incredible featured Festival Authors. As the sun sets, settle in for the highlight of the night, our Author Panel: From the Outback to the Perth Hills, West Australian Voices, featuring acclaimed Authors Rachael Johns, Sara Foster, Kate Emery & Michael Trant.

Local Wine & Grazing Table: Included with each ticket, are two beverage vouchers which can be used for either our handpicked selection of wines from nearby vineyards or for non-alcoholic beverages. A beautifully arranged grazing table showcasing artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, seasonal fruits, and more will also be available for guests to enjoy.

Whether you're a lifelong book lover or simply curious to hear from some of West Australia’s most coveted literary talents, this is the perfect way to kick off a weekend of literary discovery. Come raise a glass, meet fellow readers and writers, and toast to the stories that bring us together.

Where: Kalamunda Community Learning Centre
When: 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Date: Friday 20 March 2026
Individual session booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DHENE
For more information regarding Festival Day passes and other events visit: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/kalamunda-readers-festival