Author Interview with Alyssa Schwarz & a Giveaway
By Deena Adams
Help me welcome Alyssa Schwarz to the blog this week. Alyssa is a fellow ACFW member and her debut novel, The Glass Cottage, releases on October 5. She’s graciously offered a copy to one person who comments on this interview.
Welcome to the blog Alyssa! Share a little about yourself and your family.
Iām an only child, but I grew up surrounded by cousins. During the summers, my family and I would drive up to Buena Vista where they lived and stay a week or two on the ranch. We had a blast exploring the hills, chasing down new rocks to climb, and roasting marshmallows over the fire pit for sāmores. I think itās only natural I thought to write a series about a family of cousins and set my first book within that quaint mountain town.
Sounds like a wonderful childhood. Do you have hobbies you enjoy? What do you do for fun?
My mom and I have our own art business. We are both watercolor artists and have been privileged to showcase some of our artwork through the Denver Metro area. I also love to hike and have recently taken up gardening. Two years ago, I saw the most beautiful dahlias in Washingtonās San Juan Islands, and Iāve been obsessed with them ever since. After digging up a half-a-ton of soil, engineering a raised flower bed, and planting two dozen bulbs, I finally have my dahlia garden!
Good for you! I canāt keep a plant alive to save my life. Tell us how and when you started writing.
Does random scribbling as a toddler count? I’ve always loved books and the idea of writing, but my first real attempt at penning a story had to have been in second grade when I wrote about a dog who could fly. I did the illustrations for it and everything!
A flying dog would make a great childrenās book! Iām curious what your writing space looks like.
Piles of craft books and notebooks on the desk, dual monitors to keep track of the dozens of open tabs, handwritten notes and reference images spilling from their folders, my dog Nala lying next to me with her head on my foot, and a cup of chai tea at the ready.
Some necessities along with extra special touches. Perfect. How many unpublished and unfinished manuscripts do you have?
The Glass Cottage will be my debut novel, but I am busy working on book two in the series. I plan to release a Valentineās Day-themed novella early next year as a prequel to the series. I also have an unfinished WW1 manuscript collecting dust on my computer’s hard drive that I’ve yet to decide what to do with. One of these days I might get around to finishing it, but for now, Iām sticking to contemporary fiction.
Are any of your stories inspired by true events or personal history?
While my stories are purely fictional, I love finding inspiration for ideas through history. Colorado has a fascinating past, from abandoned gold mines, to land feuds, and strange traditions.
While researching for The Glass Cottage, I learned Buena Vista was known for its lettuce fields, and in 1891, two men stole a house log by log near Rocky Ford and reassembled it fourteen miles away. Maybe not the most helpful of information, thatās part of the fun in learning about a placeās history. You never know what you may find, and the stories might just surprise you enough to find their way into a book.
Since my family is from Colorado, there are lots of interesting stories to be found tucked away in my grandmaās attic. After stumbling upon her journals, I thought it would be fun to write a story based on an old forgotten diary.
I love that! What did God teach you through the writing of The Glass Cottage?
God has been teaching me a lot about what it means to listen to and follow His guidance, and the many ways in which He speaks to us at different times in our lives. Our paths rarely turn out the way we expect, but maybe that is a good thing. How else would we discover the wonderful things He has planned for us if we were only limited by our own imagination. God is the ultimate story writer, and I hope readers of The Glass Cottage will be able to sympathize with Abigailās and Benās story of redemption and second-chances.
What do you hope your readers take away from the book?
When the world seems to pull at us from all directions, leaving us questioning and worried about the future, I hope readers can escape into this story and learn what it means to trust God, even with the unknowns.
Great takeaway. Which character in The Glass Cottage was easiest for you to write and why? Which character presented the biggest challenge?
Abigail holds a dear spot in my heart, and I think we would get along quite well as friends if she existed in real life. We both love baking and kayaking.
The hardest character to nail down was Abigail’s cousin, Tess, a minor character at the beginning and end of this story. Her personality is very unlike mine, so it was a challenge getting into her head in such a short space. But despite that challenge, I learned to really love the spunky cousin. If you are curious to learn more about Tess, look for her in book #2 of the Prescott Family Romances series.
Gotta love characters who bake and kayak. Who is your favorite fiction author? Favorite novel?
There are so many outstanding authors out there. I love anything written by Becky Wade, Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes, or Roseanna M. White. I can always count on their books to be amazing. As for my favorite novel, a lot of people might not know this book, but The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans, is one of my all-time favorites. Iāve probably read it at least three times!
Iāll have to look into The Sunflower! How can your readers and fans support you?
Buy a copy of my book, leave a comment on Amazon or Goodreads, and sign up for my newsletter at https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
Any last words for your readers?
My grandma used to say: āDonāt let the fear of hard work stop you from trying.ā Go for it. Youāll never know if itās possible until you try.
Thanks so much for the interview, Alyssa! It’s been great getting to know you and more about your writing. Congratulations on your debut release!
Join the conversation. Have you ever visited Colorado? Does a Contemporary Romance set in a small mountain town sound good to you? Do you have any questions for Alyssa?
Be sure to comment by October 5 for a chance to win a copy of her book!
The Glass Cottage by Alyssa Schwarz
Could a nineteenth-century diary be the answer to Abigailās prayers?
Iris wanted nothing more than to live her own adventure. But on the tails of the Colorado gold rush, a certain discovery could upend her world before itās even begun.
Over a hundred years later, Abigail Prescott returns to the sleepy mountain town she once called home to help her great Aunt Josie restore the old antique shop, The Glass Cottage. Looking for peace and Godās direction for her life, the last thing she expected to encounter was a ghost from her pastāBenjamin Greeneāher childhood best friend. The boy who got away.
Is this just a coincidence, or could it be the start of something greater?
Together, Ben and Abigail work to fix up the shop and stumble upon an old journal. With more questions than answers, Abigail embarks on a journey of self-discovery to track down the mysterious Iris, but the truth is not always what it seems.
In this tale of friendship, love lost, and love found, Abigail must decide for herself: Is every story worth saving, and if so, at what cost?
Alyssa Schwarz loves a good story, especially if it has a happy ending! From mountain adventures to Downton Abbey-esque romances, she firmly believes we could all use a little more inspirational and heart-warming tales to keep us up at nightātales that take us on far away (or not so distant) adventures and speak words of life and truth into our lives.
Though Alyssa writes mainly contemporary fiction, she tries to find fun ways to incorporate the past. Whether it’s a family secret, or a century-old journal, history has a way of shaping the lives of her characters for better of for worse. If any of these story ideas sound like your cup of tea, then pull up a chair, take a sip of your favorite drink, and find your next happily-ever-after.
Connect with Alyssa: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest
Please share Alyssa’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her debut novel!
If you missed last week’s Zoom interview with John Matthew Walker, find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
39 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Renee P! You’re the winner of Alyssa’s book. Look for an email soon!
Thanks to everyone who read the interview and commented. Be sure to check out this week’s interview with David Parks and comment for a chance to win his debut novel, The Boy Who Closed the Sky.
Lual Krautter
Sounds like an interesting book. Would love to win a print copy! Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! God bless!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lual!
Lynn Moore
Alyssa……your life sounds just as Interesting as your “writing space!” A little of this & a little of that adds up to great fun. I loved your grandmother’s saying,……”Go for it. Youāll never know if itās possible until you try.”
Ahhhh….the wisdom of grandmothers!
Blessings to you as you bless the world with your gifts!
Lynn Moore
Deena Adams
Thanks for stopping by, Lynn! It’s encouraging to find someone who is listening and following their wise grandmother’s advice, right?
Alyssa Schwarz
Lynn, thank you so much for your encouraging comments!
Cherie J
Hubby and I have friends who live in Colorado. We have heard it is beautiful so we would love to visit someday. I do enjoy books set in a mountain town.
Deena Adams
We’re building a nice tribe of people here who want to visit Colorado. Hope you make it there one day, Cherie! Thanks for reading the interview and joining the conversation!
Alyssa Schwarz
Cherie, you would love Colorado! I might be just a tad biased, but its a wonderful state to live in and visit.
Mary Luce
I passed through Colorado in the fall of 1990. We were moving from California to Maine, and we stayed with friends in Colorado Springs briefly. I remember our van had a little bit of trouble making it up over the Rockies! (Should have gotten the 8-cylinder!) I enjoy stories with “less peoply” settings, so a mountain town would probably work for me. Congratulations and best wishes on your debut novel!
Deena Adams
Thanks for stopping by Mary. Glad you enjoyed the interview.
LeighAnne Clifton
Congratulations, Alyssa, on your debut novel! Can’t wait to read it. Great interview!
Deena Adams
Glad you enjoyed the interview, LeighAnne. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Alyssa Schwarz
Thanks, Leighanne!!! š
Janet D
Congratulations on your debut novel. I look forward to reading it.
Alyssa Schwarz
Thanks, Janet! I hope you enjoy it. š
Linda Carey
The Glass Cottage sounds like a onderful story. My grandmother had advice like the one your grandmother gave you.
Deena Adams
Hi Linda. Isn’t grandma advice the best? Thanks for stopping by!
Renee P
I have been to Colorado several times. My grandparents lived in Salida, CO most of my growing up years.
This book sounds so good! I am an AVID group member.
Thank you for this opportunity!
Deena Adams
Hi Renee! Iām so jealous of your time in Colorado. I plan to go someday. Thanks for reading and commenting! I have you on the drawing with the extra entry!
Alyssa Schwarz
Renee, that is so cool your grandparents lived in Salida! This book is set in Buena Vista, so just 20 minutes north of Salida. š
Alyssa Schwarz
Linda, I find her advice comes back to me when I least expect it.
Alyssa Schwarz
Thank you so much Deena! It was so much fun getting to do this interview with you! š
Deena Adams
My pleasure! Congratulations on your debut release next week!
Penny McGinnis
The Glass Cottage sounds like a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. I love your grandma’ advice to keep trying.
Deena Adams
Hi Penny! Grandmas have the best advice. š. Thanks for stopping by!
Connie Isbell
The cover is so pretty on The Glass Cottage book! I enjoyed reading the interview and Alyssa’s book looks very interesting. I loved hearing about some of her other hobby interests in the interview. I’m also obsessed with dahlia’s. I would love to hear more about her dahlia garden. š Deena, I think I need to give you a plant. š± We’ll put a simple pothos cutting in water and it will grow! It requires very little attention and it’s fun to watch it grow. š
Alyssa Schwarz
Thank you so much, Connie! It was a lot of fun to design the cover, and I love that the picture is from Colorado as well. Aren’t dahlias the best? I got to visit Butchart near Victoria, BC, and their dahlia gardens were absolutely incredible! It probably helps being in a more humid environment than Colorado, but the seem to grow alright here.
Deena Adams
Hey Connie! Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate the offer of a plant but I don’t even have a good place to put one.
Alyssa Schwarz
Thanks, Penny! I love remembering little things she used to say.
Linda Kish
Years ago, I visited Durango and Denver. I loved both of them for different reasons. I love books based in small towns. A mountain town? That is so much more cozy. Bring it on!
Deena Adams
Hi Linda! I agree. I love small town settings. I’d love to visit Colorado one day! Thanks so much for reading and joining the conversation. š
Alyssa Schwarz
I love Durango! It’s such a fun town to visit, and the mountains around there are just beautiful.
Tammy Padgett
I love to read contemporary fiction that points us to Gods promises. Always looking for something to read.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Tammy!
Alyssa Schwarz
Tammy, same here! I think most of my bookshelf is filled with Christian fiction.
Nicole Cook
Hi Deena! Thanks for letting me know about this interview! It was so fun to read. I’m so excited for Alyssa’s upcoming novella and to read Tess’s story.
I think I could be good friends with Abigail too. I love listening to country music and baking just like Abigail!
Becky Wade is one of my favorite CF authors!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Nicole! I’m so glad you enjoyed Alyssa’s interview and her book. I’m excited to read it. I love Becky Wade’s books too. Hope to connect with you on more interviews in the future!
Alyssa Schwarz
Nicole, I’m so glad you liked the book! I’ll be releasing the novella January 2022 and Tess’s story later in 2022. I’m really loving these characters, and I hope you like them as much as Abigail!
I think I’ve read all of Becky Wade’s books at least once, and I can’t wait for her upcoming Christmas release š