Alyssa Cole facts for kids

Alyssa Cole (born August 12, 1982) is an American author. She writes exciting stories, including historical romance, science fiction, and modern romance novels. Her books feature many different characters with interesting jobs, from spies during the Civil War to scientists today. Her romance stories explore various types of relationships.

About Alyssa Cole's Books

How Alyssa Cole Started Writing

Alyssa Cole began her writing journey by publishing collections of short stories. She also wrote novellas, which are like short novels. Her stories often take place during important times in American history. These include the civil rights movement, the Revolutionary War, and the Harlem Renaissance.

Popular Book Series

Cole has written several popular book series. Her "Loyal League" novels are a trilogy set during the American Civil War. These books are published by Kensington Publishing Corporation.

She also writes the "Reluctant Royals" series. This is a modern romance series inspired by today's royal families. Avon Romance publishes these books.

Working with Other Authors

Alyssa Cole has worked with other authors on special book collections called anthologies. Some of these authors include Rose Learner, Courtney Milan, Lena Hart, Kianna Alexander, Piper Huguley, and Kate McMurray.

Sometimes, Cole takes part in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). This is a month-long challenge to write a whole novel. It helps her finish longer stories.

Award-Winning Books

Many of Alyssa Cole's books have won awards. Her book An Extraordinary Union, published in 2017, received several honors. In 2018, A Princess in Theory was named one of The New York Times most notable books. Her thriller novel When No One Is Watching, released in 2020, also received great reviews from critics.

Supporting Diversity in Books

Alyssa Cole is a leader in helping more Black authors get their books published in the romance industry. She often talks about the need for more diverse stories and characters in books. She has shared her ideas at conferences and on social media platforms like Twitter.

In late 2019, there was a disagreement within the Romance Writers of America (RWA) group. Alyssa Cole helped share information about this situation. She wanted to make sure that authors were treated fairly.

Themes in Alyssa Cole's Stories

Alyssa Cole's writing often includes ideas about politics and activism. One of her historical novel series is set during the Civil War. The heroes and heroines in these books are involved in important political events. Another historical series takes place in the 1960s. Here, Cole's characters are part of the civil rights movement.

Her historical fiction books often connect themes of love and freedom. In her modern novel, A Princess in Theory, the hero is a prince from a small, fictional African country. This country faces challenges similar to real nations of its size.

Alyssa Cole's Life

Alyssa Cole was born in the Bronx, a part of New York City. She spent her childhood there and in Jersey City.

Today, Cole mostly lives on the Caribbean island of Martinique. She also spends some time in New York City.

While writing a character with ADHD, Cole learned that she also had the same diagnosis.

Awards and Recognition

Alyssa Cole has received many awards for her writing:

• 2019 - An Unconditional Freedom - The Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romance Fiction
• 2019 - Once Ghosted Twice Shy - The Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romance Fiction
• 2019 - A Prince on Paper - The Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romance Fiction
• 2018 - An Extraordinary Union - American Library Association RUSA Best Romance
• 2017 - An Extraordinary Union - Vulture's 10 Best Romance Books of 2017
• 2017 - An Extraordinary Union - Booklist Top 10 Romances 2017
• 2017 - An Extraordinary Union - Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2017, Romance
• 2021 - When No One Is Watching - Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original