Whitney Fitzsimmons: 'I’m fascinated with cold cases that go undiscovered for years'
BY Maya Fernandes
28th Jul 2026
In this interview Whitney Fitzsimmons, author of the debut crime novel The Rising, shares her approach to building narrative suspense.
'I know some people look down on crime fiction because they view it as "not sophisticated", but I honestly believe that crime fiction in particular presents opportunities to provide social commentary on issues that affect communities in a way that isn’t didactic or ephemeral.'
We caught up with Whitney to discuss her time studying with us, her process for creating complicated characters and her favourite crime writers.
The Rising follows local journalist Bec Carter as she investigates a mysterious cold case murder. What drew you to Bec as a protagonist, and how did you begin developing her character?
If I’m going to be really honest, Bec Carter was the most difficult character to develop. Many of the notes I had through the editing process even from my publisher when I signed with them was ‘Bec seems a bit one-dimensional’. The rest of the characters came to me really quickly – I could see them as fully formed.
With Bec, I think I inadvertently created her to be a bit like me (because she is a journalist etc.) and then subconsciously I didn’t really want to reveal too much because it felt too personal. I did consciously give her a back story (that wasn’t related to me) which was triggered by the inciting incident in The Rising and resonated through the book. But that wasn’t enough, I really needed to dig in and make her much stronger and compelling.
Most of the editing process was working on Bec, understanding her, getting under her skin and really digesting what makes her tick. This was where the work was for me. And I’m really proud to say that advanced readers/reviewers have commented on how well-developed Bec is, which is so rewarding!
The novel is set in the rural New South Wales town of Birradurra. How did this setting influence the novel’s central themes? And did a strong sense of place exist in your imagination before the central plot emerged, or did place and character evolve together as you were writing?
Both the sense of place (Birradurra – a fictional rural town) and the themes emerged together and are intertwined. I couldn’t tell this story without a strong sense of place because the atmosphere exists almost like one of the main characters. Because The Rising is set in a flood ravaged town, the environment informs how the characters behave and react to their situation and also influences their actions in terms of plot. The Rising is uniquely Australian but is written for an international audience and deals with themes that will resonate globally.
I’m fascinated with cold cases that go undiscovered for years, or where a person of interest goes free, only to find new evidence – revealed much later – that shows they are the perpetrator.
I always think, what do people in that situation do? They’ve had years of looking over their shoulder. When the evidence finally points to them, what do they do? Are they relieved? Do they run? Or do they commit another crime to cover up the first one?
At the beginning of writing The Rising I asked myself; what if after a flood has covered a town in water and then recedes, it reveals a devastating cold case that no one in the town knew existed? What would happen then? How would the community and various people in the town react? I also set the plot in a morally grey area – asking the question ‘Is it ever ok to commit a crime for good reasons?’ – I then positioned the plot and characters such that the reader, instead of judging the characters, asks themselves what would I do in this situation? I think challenging a reader’s personal position and beliefs through narrative storytelling is really compelling.
Are there any crime or mystery novels that influenced you whilst writing The Rising, or that you found yourself returning to for inspiration?
I’ve thought about this a lot and there’s not any specific books really, I think it’s the breadth of my reading life that has informed my debut novel. That, and also film and television along with my journalism. I would say there are many many authors and creators who have informed my style and how I have approached my work.
I write commercial fiction and in particular crime/mystery fiction so naturally I’m attracted to commercial writers such as Harlan Coben, Jane Harper, Dan Brown, Louise Penny and Ken Folett to name a few.
I know some people look down on crime fiction especially commercial crime fiction because they view it as ‘not sophisticated’, but I honestly believe that crime fiction in particular presents opportunities to provide social commentary on issues that affect communities and societies in a way that isn’t didactic or ephemeral, which is what I’ve tried to do in The Rising.
Plus, I really love reading this genre and I love writing it. There is something really exciting and challenging when you are able to construct a story where readers find it hard to see who the culprit is. It’s like building a puzzle! Holly Seddon did say to me early on that The Rising has a very satisfying climax and resolution for the reader. During the writing I kept thinking ‘Ok how can I make this a really fun, gripping story? One that a reader won’t want to put down’. I hope I achieved that.
The novel maintains a strong sense of tension and momentum throughout. How do you approach pacing when planning a novel, and do you have any advice for writers who struggle to build suspense in their own work?
I’ve been creating content and have been storytelling professionally as a journalist for years. Whether I was on the road as a TV News Reporter or in the studio presenting live TV News or creating TV shows as an Executive Producer, I operate on one singular premise – ‘be audience-centric’. I always ask the question ‘How will this land for the audience?’
I find it’s the same case as an author, when I’m writing I’m constantly asking myself, how would this land for the reader? Is there enough tension? Am I laying enough clues, posing enough questions and answering those questions at pace so as to keep the reader turning the page.
My advice to anyone trying to create tension and pace is to enter a chapter late – so in the middle of the action and leave the chapter early – so again in the middle of the action. This gives the reader a sense of forward propulsion and momentum – you need that to entice them to turn the page.
You studied with us on our Edit & Pitch Your Novel – Advanced and Pitching Your Novel courses. How did your time with us shape your approach to writing?
I loved my time with CBC – I met so many interesting people and industry professionals. For me it was really having access to different ways of thinking and being exposed to how the publishing industry operates in the UK. I’m originally from Seattle, Washington and I plan on setting my future novels in areas outside of Australia as well as within Australia.
During the course I had Lauren Pearson (Schott) as my tutor – she was fabulous in relation to providing early notes and guidance on approaches to writing and also how to pitch to and work with agents. Those conversations boosted my confidence. I’m grateful not only for the time I had with Lauren but also for her subsequent support in providing an endorsement for The Rising, it means a lot to me!
Through CBC I was also able to work with the incredible Holly Seddon in terms of editing my book after the course. She was integral in helping really shape the structure and made a couple of significant suggestions that strengthen the story. Subsequently, Holly and I have become friends, and she has endorsed The Rising which is amazing to see on the cover of the novel. I’m grateful to CBC for the connections I have made through the course.
Many of our students find lifelong writing friends on our courses. Are you still in touch with anyone you met during your time studying with us?
Yes! We have a WhatsApp chat group, and we are all there to cheer each other on as we go through the various stages of establishing our author careers. We’re located all over the world so it’s great to have their support and to know we all have readers in lots of different countries!
And finally, what’s next for your writing journey?
I’m working on my next two novels. One is a stand-alone high concept thriller set in London in the world of live TV News, politics and terrorism.
I’m really excited about it not only because the narrative is really unique and constantly leading the reader in one direction and then switching just when they get comfortable, but also in terms of the point of view and the characters. The story is much bigger, and the central ideas/themes and the plot are more complicated than The Rising.
Having been a TV News Presenter for a decade with the ABC (sister channel to the BBC) I really know live television and understand how that environment works. I’m excited to use my experience to create an immersive story for the reader.
The second novel is a sequel to The Rising – early reader feedback is showing that there is interest in what happens next in the town of Birradurra – which is so fantastic. I’m equally excited about this because I can delve even deeper into the characters and learn more about them, their lives and how they see the world, all while telling a great story!
Professionally in terms of the business, I am seriously looking for an agent – someone who is keen to work with me editorially. Writing is very much a solitary pursuit and as an author it is really important to build your team as you build your career. Having an agent who I can bounce ideas off but also build a working/business relationship with that underpins my author career is an essential next step for me.
Get your hands on a copy of The Rising, out now with Ventura Press.
Whitney was a student on our Edit & Pitch Your Novel – Advanced course in 2023, and Pitching Your Novel course in 2024.
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