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Words with a Wordsmith Vanessa Riley

By Alina Rubin
June 28, 2024

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

I believe Sister Mother Warrior is under-appreciated, mainly because many people haven’t had the chance to read it. This novel explores a seldom-discussed part of history wheretwo women play pivotal roles in changing the course of history. Their efforts lead to the birth of a new nation and the end of slavery on their shores in the Western world. If more people read *Sister Mother Warrior*, I think its resonance and impact would be widely recognized.

 

Where is your next vacation planned?

My next vacation is planned for next year—a month-long exploration of Europe. I envision myself dining at quaint cafes, writing by the sea, and soaking in the rich history and culture of various European cities.

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Your favorite non-reading activity?

I love to cook. Experimenting with flavors and spices is a joy for me. I enjoy deconstructing foods and recipes, often infusing Caribbean flavors into everyday dishes. For instance, making cookies with cassava flour allows me to blend my heritage with modern cuisine. When writing Island Queen, there was a type of champagne the Prince William drank for his feast on board his frigate with entrepreneur Dorothy Kirwan Thomas. I had fun finding the bubbly and recreating each morsel of the meal. Cooking is my way of shaking things up, remembering my roots, honoring history and savoring joy in each bite.

Paper Lantern Writers - Historical Fiction Author Collective

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

The best investment I’ve made as a writer is hiring a personal editor. This ensures my draft is as clean and tight in its arc as possible before submitting it to my editor at a New York publisher. A well-polished manuscript allows the traditional publisher to focus on the story elements, not typos or plot holes. No matter how skilled a writer might be, everyone has blind spots, and a professional editor helps eliminate them.

Paper Lantern Writers - Historical Fiction Author Collective

Do you tend to write about places you’ve been to or places you wish you could go to?

Both, actually. I write stories set between 1675 and the 1830s, so I often have to teleport through books since I don’t own a time machine. However, one of my greatest pleasures was visiting the places in Europe that Madame Christophe lived for my novel Queen of Exiles. Standing in the same locations, seeing the same architecture, and visiting the church she and her daughters built and where they are interred was mesmerizing. It brought her story to life in a profound way.

Vanessa Riley is an acclaimed author known for captivating novels like Island Queen and Queen of Exiles, honored as the 2023 Georgia Literary Fiction Author of the Year. Her works spotlight hidden narratives of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods, diverse communities, and power across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. With a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Vanessa brings a research-oriented approach to highlight inclusivity in her storytelling about Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency eras, resulting in over twenty-five published titles. As a member of various literary organizations, she advocates for diverse voices and storytelling.

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Written by Alina Rubin

Alina Rubin loves writing historical fiction about heroines with strong voices and able hands. Her debut novel, A Girl with a Knife, won the Illinois Author Project competition. When not working or writing, Alina enjoys yoga, reading and traveling.

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1 Comment

  1. Anne M Beggs

    Love this – sharing and yes, these are on my TBR list =—->

    Reply

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