Q&A with Laura McCrum – the Author of Cracks Beneath The Surface: A Titanic Novel

Laura McCrum is a Scottish author and former business and education professional whose passion for storytelling has found its voice in both historical fiction and self-help. Cracks Beneath the Surface is her debut historical romance novel and the first in the Titanic: Tales of Love and Loss series—a compelling exploration of human connection, courage, and social class aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Drawing on meticulous research and a love for character-driven narrative, Laura brings real historical figures to life alongside unforgettable fictional characters.

While her Titanic series is published under her real name, Laura also writes empowering self-help books under the pen name Lamont, including Healing the Rift with Your Adult Child and The Blended Family Guide, which support readers through complex personal relationships.

The second book in her Titanic series, The Last Line, follows First Officer William Murdoch and delves deeper into the lives of both crew and passengers during the ship’s final days.

Laura’s writing bridges the emotional power of fiction with the insight and compassion of her self-help work—offering readers both escapism and emotional resonance. Visit Lauran on her website at www.lmcpublications.com

Author Q&A

Tell us a little about yourself—where were you raised, where do you live now, and do you have any pets?

I was born in Glasgow during the harsh winter of 1962–63 and spent much of my first year in and out of hospital with pneumonia, over 100 miles from where my family lived. That sense of separation and resilience perhaps shaped me early on. When I was 11, my parents moved us to the south of England, after 2 more moves in the England, I spent my teenage years, learning what it meant to adapt and fit in.  I also spent that time extinguishing my Scottish accent to the extent that people in my new home town don’t believe that I am (83% according to my genetics) Scottish!  

After 40 years living in Bristol and raising a family, I’ve come full circle and now live back in beautiful, rural Scotland with my husband, Simon, our rescue Cocker Spaniel and the Queen of our home, our beautiful ageing cat.   Our children are grown up now, two still in Bristol and the other one loving living on the other side of the world in Australia. I absolutely love where we live – it’s peaceful, untouched, and feels like the perfect place to write stories steeped in emotion and history.  But visiting the beautiful city of Bristol often, gives me the best of both worlds.

At what age did you realise your fascination for books, and when did you start writing?

I’ve loved writing and drawing for as long as I can remember, it’s in my blood. I come from a creative household: my mother was an English teacher, my father an art teacher, so stories and sketchbooks were part of everyday life.

Over the years, I’ve had dozens of half-baked ideas for novels, compelling characters, snippets of scenes, but life was always chaotic,  full and busy. I think many writers can relate to the dream quietly waiting on the shelf. In my case, quite literally.  My bookshelf is packed with favourite novels and every “how to write your first novel” guide you can imagine.

It took a change of pace and perspective for me to finally bring one of those ideas to life and I haven’t looked back since.  Finally I am so thank full to be able to be living a life-long dream.

What is the name of your latest book, and what inspired it?

My first debut novel ; Cracks Beneath the Surface is book one in my Titanic Tales of Love and Loss series.

I’ve always been fascinated by the Titanic – not just the tragedy itself, but the lives of the people aboard, and in this first book, especially the women.

What truly inspired me, though, was the chance to explore the unspoken sisterhood that emerged across social boundaries on board the ship. From wealthy heiresses to maids and nurses, women were living vastly different lives, yet when tested by fear, loss, and survival, their shared experiences created bonds that transcended class.

By weaving together these moments of quiet courage and emotional honesty, I wanted to reflect how the collective stories of women, when brought to light, can offer strength, solidarity, and empowerment to modern readers as well.

My late father-in-law shared this fascination of the great ship and had collected original newspapers from the time, along with a well-worn copy of Walter Lord’s A Night to Remember. Those resources helped lay the foundation for what would become this novel.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on Book 2 in my Titanic: Tales of Love and Loss series, titled The Last Line. This story focuses on Officer William McMaster Murdoch – our very own local hero here in Dalbeattie, Scotland and his wife Ada. Sadly, he was unfairly portrayed in the famous Titanic film, much to the outrage of the town and his surviving family. In fact, our local museum proudly displays a letter of apology from the film’s creators!

This book is more, traditionally, romantic than the first, weaving together historical truth, emotional fiction, and a sincere effort to honour Murdoch’s bravery and character. I pass his family home most days while walking our dog, his sister actually lived in the house right next to mine. That connection makes this book feel deeply personal, and I see it as my chance to help set the record straight for William!

How do you feel being a writer has helped you as a person?

Writing has been both empowering and healing for me. I began with self-help books after selling my last business and qualifying as a Women’s Empowerment Coach. My first book, Healing the Rift with Your Adult Child, was published in August 2024 and came from a deep desire to help others navigate one of the most painful and often hidden family dynamics. It’s a tragedy that affects around 25% of families, yet is rarely talked about openly.  I write my self-help books under m y pen name – Laura Lamont.

Through that work, I’ve been developing a membership group to support mothers seeking peace, understanding, and when possible reconciliation.

I recommend everyone to write their life story, because your story matters. Writing MS and Me – my own story of living with multiple sclerosis (again written under my pen name) helped me process not just the diagnosis, but everything that came before and after. It helped me see patterns, rediscover my own resilience, and honour the moments I might otherwise have rushed past.

Whether or not you choose to publish it, writing your life story gives you a chance to reflect, heal, and even reframe your journey. It reminds you that you’ve come through things that once felt impossible and that you’re still standing and now even stronger!  Most importantly, your story might be exactly what someone else needs to read. You never know who it will touch, comfort, or inspire.

What were the challenges in bringing your book to life?

Funnily enough, my biggest challenge has been technology, which is ironic, considering I used to teach IT when I worked in education! But software updates and formatting rules seem to multiply by the week, and I sometimes find myself begging my laptop to just cooperate for once and be kind to an old girl.

Beyond that, I feel most of my real challenges are behind me. I no longer have to work flat-out just to make ends meet. My husband and I went through real financial hardship when I went back to university, we had one child when I started and, by the time I graduated, we had three! (Still not entirely sure how that happened.) I was studying and teaching in local colleges at the same time, just to help keep us afloat. It was chaos, it made me ill but it also built resilience.

Now, I write at my own pace, which is a real luxury. Sometimes that’s in the early morning, sometimes it’s in the middle of the night, because let’s be honest, women of a certain age know that 3 a.m. is a perfectly reasonable time to be wide awake and brimming with ideas!

Give a shout out to a fellow writer.

I was absolutely touched to be approached by a fellow writer from Nova Scotia, David Lester Beck. In truth, when someone contacts you through a Facebook author group, you often brace yourself for a sales pitch, or worse, a scam! And while I have no issue with people trying to earn a living, David was refreshingly genuine.

He kindly offered to visit the Titanic graveyard near Halifax and take photos for my novel. How generous is that? Especially considering David is in his early 80s and just released his debut novel, Screaming of the Gulls, which I’m currently enjoying. He only learned to write later in life, and his life story is a page-turner in itself.

Moments like that remind me how powerful and beautiful the writing community can be. The generosity of strangers never ceases to amaze me.

What is your favourite genre?

I read widely across genres, but historical fiction has always held a special place in my heart. There’s something deeply compelling about stepping into another time and seeing the echoes of our present reflected in the past.

I absolutely love C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake series, his portrayal of the terrifying world of Henry VIII is so vivid and intelligent, I’ve read those books more than once. I’m also a big fan of Philippa Gregory. At the moment, I’m working my way through her monumental Normal Women, which is an extraordinary and much-needed reframing of women’s history.

And of course, the classics never leave my shelves for long—they’re revisited often and always offer something new with each read.

 What is the best advice you have ever heard?

That is an easy question, I wish it was as easy for us humans to achieve  –  Always love and be true to yourself.  As an ex-teacher I think this should be embedded in all  Educational curriculums.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

The best place to find out more about me, my books, and what’s coming next is through my website: www.lmcpublications.com. You’ll find details about my historical fiction, including Cracks Beneath the Surface, as well as my self-help books written under the pen name Lamont.

I also share updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and the occasional brain teaser on Instagram and Facebook, you will find the connections to my social media on my site.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and my work it is hugely appreciated.