The Renaissance Pen: An Interview with Alana White, author of The Hearts of All on Fire

Alana White is the author of the award-winning Guid’Antonio Vespucci historical mystery series set in Renaissance Florence, Italy.

You can buy The Hearts of All on Fire here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Ah, The Hearts of All on Fire. That line comes from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. “Avarice, envy, pride/Three fatal sparks, have set the hearts of all on fire.” Almost every reviewer has mentioned the title and how it serves the book so well. (They also mention my lead character’s dog…)

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Amazed! Elated! The Atmosphere design team is the best! Everyone loves the cover of the two books in my series. I am currently writing the third book and cannot wait to see the cover for it!

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

From bookmobiles to small-town libraries, I have always been a book hunter. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, a seed that was planted, I think, when I was a child and gravitated to titles like Ivanhoe and The Man in the Iron Mask. Then later, the Brother Cadfael mysteries, which set me on my path.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I am a Schnauzer mama 🙂

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

That’s easy! Just having Atmosphere Press behind me all the way—a team I could trust. I knew I had made the right decision to sign with them from the word “go.”

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

My books are based on real-life figures and true events and, while there are darkish moments, my goal is for readers to close the pages with a sense of hope.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I’m working on the third book in the series, and the nail-biting continues apace. Mine, I mean.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Working with Atmosphere Press was a life-changing experience. (Earlier, I was part of traditional publishing.) I would tell other writers to seriously consider what they want for their writing career (and how soon) and consider becoming part of the Atmosphere team.

You can buy The Hearts of All on Fire here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.