Award winning author. An artist, a Canadian and a mom!
I am so excited to introduce this week’s author interview with Alyssa Milani! A fellow Canadian romance author that I met through social media. I also got the chance to be table partners with her at Love and Romance in Toronto on May 3rd and it was so great to finally meet in person!
She is an award-winning Canadian mom of two who studied at Concordia University, obtaining a Major in Creative Writing and a Minor in English Literature. She independently published her first novel in 2014, of all the works that she wrote during her years at university. She now has twenty-six independently published novels! Many of which are award-winners.
Here are a just a few of her books. You can find the rest on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com
Q & A
Q: What is your latest release(s)?
A: The Chosen Secret, a dark academia/secret society/omegaverse romance. It’s twisted and unhinged, very different from my usual contemporary style of writing.
& on April 28: Slade, part 4 of my biker thriller/romance novel released. This is the final part of The Stowaway Series…or is it?
What was your favourite scene to write and why?
A: Their ceremony scene in The Chosen Secret. Only because the little devil in me wrote that in church, and the contrast between what the scene means vs me sitting in the house of God while writing it, was definitely unhinged. LoL
Q: What are you working on next/ any upcoming releases?
I have a few in the works, one that has been edited and is ready to go, a couple that are in final draft format.
Q: What inspired you to write romance?
A: The hopeless romantic in me.
Q: Who is your favourite author?
A: Oh, no. I have so many. But I have to say, Tessa Bailey and Stephen King are my tops.
Q: What are you reading right now?
A: “Dream Girl Drama” by Tessa Bailey
Q: How was your publishing journey?
Started out rocky, I didn’t have support or a community to turn to. But now, it’s going well. I have such an amazing group of ladies I can turn to for any issues or questions I have.
Q: Who was your favourite character to write and why?
A: Riggs Donnelly from “The Stowaway Series” he is all man, all muscle, and someone who can toss you in a bed and ravish you, but also run a club like no one’s business.
Q: Which book challenged you the most?
A: My novella “Until Adleigh” (which ended up being in the Amazon Top 50 for new releases).
Q: Do you have any challenges specific to being Canadian?
A: Legit, the only reason I don’t write in “Canadian,” is because of the readers that are mainly not from here and think spelling “color” with a U is wrong.
Q: What does your writing process look like?
A: First draft is always on my Notes App on my iPhone, then I transfer that to Word and remove the spelling errors/autocorrected words, then edits and rewrites begin. My only issue is, 90% of the time, I’m working on more than one project at a time, and the process isn’t as quick as I’d like it to be.
Q: Do you listen to music, watch TV, etc for writing? And if yes, what artist/show/movie etc…
A: No, I like silence. LOL
Q: Favourite writing snack?
A: All-dressed Ruffles or chocolate chips.
Fun question: If you got stuck in an elevator with just one person who would it be and why?
A: Aside from my husband? Then definitely one of my characters. Only for them to look at me and be like, “why the fuck did you put me through hell?”
The Artist
Aside from being an accomplished, award winning author she is also an incredible artist. She says she is “starting out,” but the character art I’ve seen and bought is really great.
I was lucky enough to commission some art for both of my books. The piece shown below was the summer festival scene from Chasing Hartes, and I just love the way it came out!
If your wanting to support an indie author and artist and in need of some character art, I absolutely recommend her! She is not only talented but also affordable. You can find her links to her price list and everything else on her Instagram or through link.tree/alyssamilani
Where to find her
Wanna meet her in person? Check out her list of upcoming signings!
Eastern Ontario Writer’s Festival (September 13) possibly? Cassleman
Rose City romance (June 21) Windsor
Readers Take Cornwall (August 17) Cornwall
Social Media:
For more information on upcoming releases and events, follow her at:
https://www.instagram.com/alyssamilani/
https://www.tiktok.com/@authoralyssamilani
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Madyn Rose 
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