Author Interview – Sara Fox – A Legacy Forged

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, discover how debut author Sara Fox turned a thirty-year-old family secret into a gritty, historical trilogy at age sixty, staring with A Legacy Forged.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I am thrilled to introduce Sara Fox, a debut novelist who proves it is never too late to reclaim your creative passion. After spending decades traveling the world as an army wife and building a diverse career in alternative healthcare, Sara fulfilled a thirty-year promise to her late father by publishing her first novel at age sixty. Her compelling debut, A Legacy Forged, is the first installment of a gritty, working-class trilogy inspired by an unbelievable true family history.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

I’m Sara Fox. I published my first novel at 60 years old having waited thirty years to write a fictional novel based on a true family story. I’ve written creatively for much of my life, produced copy for magazines, websites, newsletters and social media for various organisations. I knew I could probably write a book, but didn’t truly believe it until the opportunity to publish was handed to me by a publisher. 

I have over thirty years experience in complementary and alternative healthcare and a CV that runs to around 14 pages. I’ve done so many jobs! My husband served in the army for over 30 years and I followed him around the world working as I went – mostly using my skills in aromatherapy, homeopathy, massage, counselling, herbal medicine and healing.

My books draw on this varied life and especially on my experiences of talking to so many people who gave their life views so candidly. I also draw on my experience as an army wife and the emotional challenges that brings. I’m a mother of two adult children and that also provides great information on inter family relationships and differing perspectives.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

Thirty years ago, my parents were going through a terrible time with the family business. It had become a complicated and unbelievable story of betrayal, dishonesty and disappointment with the systems that were supposed to be helping. My father kept ALL his decades of notes, promising that he would write the story as it was so unbelievable. He passed away so my Mum handed me all the boxes of notes and I promised I would eventually write it.

When did you take a step to start writing?

A publisher asked me at a dinner party if I had a story to tell. I told him about the boot in the door, the 10 year old boy who ran away from home in 1822 and built a legacy that impacted on 6 generations, including his own. The publisher asked to read the first chapter. He did, and he then told me to write the book, which he published.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

I started writing on 2 January 2024 and published on 15 October 2025.

How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?

31 ½ years

Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write A Legacy Forged?

Encouragement from a publishing professional made me take notice. He loved my style which gave me the confidence to make space to write. Prior to that, I didn’t believe I could do it. I also had very little time as I home educated my son for 18 months through GCSEs, had a full time job in healthcare and was managing my mother who was very challenging after my father died and needed a complex care package.

What were your biggest challenges with writing A Legacy Forged?

Several based on the fact that it was a true story:

• The biggest challenge was allowing myself the freedom to not be tied down by the facts. It has to be a work of fiction BASED on a true story. I have the structure but lack a lot of small details.
• Some people involved in the story are still alive (including me and my family) . I want to protect their privacy so names had to be changed. As Book 3 develops, this is very important to me.
• Making a decision to err from the truth in the interest of fiction and enjoyable reading was difficult. I researched historical accuracy diligently so that remains accurate however, situations such as how the company bought the back-to-back houses and expanded the workshops could not be found in planning documentation. In the end, I researched whether it was feasible. It was, so I just went with it.
• The whole story is a trilogy. I know the characters and the growth of the business but I don’t know what the personalities were like or the day to day events. I have created a work of ‘faction’ – fiction surrounded by facts that are accurate. It was tricky weaving fact and fiction together in a believable manner. Reviewers tell me that I have pulled it off though!
• I know that writing the third book will be a challenge because I clearly remember the pain and torment my parents went through. It is hard, still, reading my father’s words and hearing the emotion behind them. The first two books feel like a healing opportunity for my ancestors. I think that the third book will be my healing journey.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?

I created a fictional protagonist to generate the Irish influence which is so important in the later story. I’m a great Peaky Blinders fan and since my story tells the tale of companies which were typically exploited by the Peakys, it was easy to look to this fabulous Brummie series for inspiration. It was not just Tommy Shelby but many others within the series that made me dig deep into the MacCarthy characters, in particular Alfie Solomons. 

Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?

The real person inspired me. I have a photograph of Matthew, taken when he was in his fifties. His face is so stern but when I cover one side of it, he looks terrified. When I cover that side, he looks desolate. These three aspects gave me a starting point. Matthew strikes me as an immensely driven man. He must have been to succeed in such difficult times. It was the real Matthew who truly inspired me. 

What is the main conflict of A Legacy Forged?

The book is a trilogy so conflict is building. Book 1, A Legacy Forged is a rags to riches story of a ten year old boy who arrives in Birmingham with nothing. He gets an apprenticeship and builds a legacy family business. The conflict is the growth of a business during the industrial revolution and then, KEEPING it. Conflicts run through the family with inevitable disagreements between father and son. We see the conflict between Matthew and his own violent and impoverished father. Then we see conflict between Matthew and his own son, William, driven by his determination to protect his business and steer through complicated Irish/English politics in Birmingham. It is a true working class family saga.

Did you plot A Legacy Forged in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?

Both! I already had the plot so I diligently wrote out the 200 year timeline and applied that to a spreadsheet. Then I took historical and political events and figured out how those would affect the story. The characters, however, had a life of their own. Once I was typing, the story and the plot would take up its own direction. Sometimes, I had no idea where we were going with a plot because the character had taken control. I see this as ‘controlled pantsing’.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did A Legacy Forged need?

Initially my publisher told me not to bother with an editor as I’d lose my ‘voice’. However, every time they formatted the book and I read it through, I kept finding more errors. It became very obvious after the ninth round that I needed to call a professional in. It was the best thing I ever did. My editor transformed my book. They improved flow, brought more depth into the characters, stopped the head-hopping and pushed me to produce a better quality of work. Once the editor had run through it for me twice, it was ready to go. She is booked for my next novels.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?

Write for the pleasure of it. Don’t judge yourself or worry what others may think. This is as much an act of healing for yourself as producing a story. Ignore your doubts and start to write, just a little bit. Dispense with any rules. Simply write. You can throw it away, keep it and change it, sell it and make a million (good luck with that!)

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

As I wrote A Legacy Forged, certain characters made it clear that they needed their own story telling. Angelina was very clear. There is so much of my own character and humour in Angelina that I HAD to write a novella. She will be published in the summer of 2026. 

I also have a very short story planned about Matthew’s sister, Hannah, who sailed on a ship to Australia in 1860. She was a cook on board and then found her way in land and became a founder citizen of Yaas. I found her travel documentation which said that her condition when she checked on board was ‘feeble’ which backs up the poverty that Matthew showed me when I was researching his motives for running away from home. 

I have another novella which supports book 2, A Legacy At War. The novella is about an eighteen year old boy who works for Seller & Son but is called up to serve in the 2nd WW. He goes out on the DDay landings with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He is a dog lover and inevitably volunteers to be a dog handler. This story is about Jonnie Nichols and his dog AT. It’s called ‘Without Hesitation’. I released it to raise funds for a dog charity but unpublished it as I want to improve the story. It will re-release once A Legacy At War is out in Spring 2027. 

Then, there’s book three – the end of the trilogy and a whole host of novellas about all the other characters that I know are asking to have their stories told. I shall be writing well into my 90s.

And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

I am very proud that I’ve started to write the story and that I gifted myself this wonderful creative opportunity to do something that I truly love. Just hearing how much my readers are enjoying the book makes me know that it is very much worth the effort.

Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/4w1PD1h

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4v68UOX

Buy Signed Copies Website:  https://www.sarafoxauthor.com/category/all-products 

Reviews: Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250696946-a-legacy-forged 

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