It was a pleasure attending the Author Talk about Women in Historical Fiction at the Oxford Exchange! I learned so much and can’t wait to start Island Queen❤️ Vanessa Riley was real and taught us so much about writing! Loved, loved, loved it! Go check her out! #reading #womenauthors #blackauthors #blackauthorsmatter #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore #books #blackwomenread #blackwomenwriters
That Time I froze in Chicago….
Vanessa here. I am in this cool purple coat I picked up two weeks ago in Chicago. While visiting the weather changed overnight from 70 F to 50F with crazy wind! Burrrrrr.
That’s a good enough excuse for this cute coat from a new small business owner off Michigan Ave, near Roosevelt University.
Anyway, I have a week of events I’d like to share with you. I’m thrilled to say these are only up the way on Georgia streets. I am with my fellow sister-friend authors, Piper Huguley and Wanda Morris at the Atlanta History Center talking power women in power fiction.
On Wednesday, I am with Kennedy Ryan celebrating the release of her new book Before I Let Go. Promise we won’t sing too much, other than the praises for Yasmin and Josiah’s story. It will be another night to talk about women on a journey. We are at the 44th and 3rd Bookseller in Atlanta.
Come for the fun. Join us!!!
PS: in the background are some books on my TBR Pile that I’m enjoying by Vanessa Miller, Jacquelin Thomas, Attica Locke.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #veterans #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyindiebookstore @atlantahistorycenter
What a world wind! I’m finally getting to post pictures from two #booksigning events this week.
@vahibooks Virginia Highlands Books is adorable with friendly staff and shelves and shelves of amazing books. We sold out of Murder in Westminster (I’m sure they can order you a copy 😘)
I did leave a few signed copies of Sister Mother Warrior too.
Yes, those are Cheryl’s Cookies. I do bring goodies for signings.
@talltalesbooks is fabulous. They set up a great outdoor display so I could greet the public. Another amazing #indiebookstore. Check out their banned books and staff picks!!!
Thank you readers, especially new to me readers for coming and supporting my career and indie bookstores!!!
#Fashion: @eshakti burgundy shirt dress and teal jumpsuit
#books #historical #mystery #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist #historicalfiction #sisterhood #bookstagram #blackbooktok #forgottenhistory #bookstore #blackwomen #blackhistory #vanessarileybooks #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #london #murderinwestminster #ladyworthing #murdermystery #mysteries #mysteryseries #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyindiebookstore #womandetective
Had a wonderful time presenting to @atlwriters and @gwinnettlibrary about writing historical fiction. Fun to talk about research, centering your story, and the importance of your words.
Love libraries and sharing with writers. Thank you to Ann Gerson of @bookmiser for being such fun and handling book sales. She has signed copies of #islandqueen (paperback) and is taking preorders for signed copies of July’s Release Sister Mother Warrior.
#sistermotherwarrior #book #library #libraryevents #books #tbr #tbrpile #readcaribbean #caribbean #haiti #hatian #hatianrevolution #colonization #blackgirlmagic #blackculture #black #author #authorsofinstagram #womenempowerment #historicalresearch #history #research #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileylibrary #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileyspeech #vanessarileyworkshop
My husband took this picture. I love it, for he caught me not posing but being still and thinking.
My mother wouldn’t exactly be happy with me showing the world a less than perfect shot:
*One with no filter or makeup.
*One that shows vulnerability and age.
*One that speaks my truth, that I’m still figuring things out.
But unguarded and with no filter are the freest we ever are. It’s the point of living.
Finding joy or peace in those less-than-perfect moments is what I try to write. It’s the secret sauce of the women or sisterhoods that I write.
This year I’m living ‘dream me’:
*A research tour in Europe
*Historical Fiction of Power Women: Sister Mother Warrior - Boss lady-Adbaraya Gran Toya and 1st Battlefield Nurse Marie-Claire Bonheur
*My first Mystery series: Murder in Westminster -Black aristocrat Lady Worthing, part-time sleuth, full-time trouble
*Getting to meet fans across the globe
Build your future. ‘Dream you’ is incredible.
Like and follow. Share with me your dream journey!
#books #historical #historicalfiction #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist
#blackbooktok #forgottenhistory #blackwomen #blackhistory #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #murderinwestminster #islandqueen #sistermotherwarrior #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #writersofinstagram #writerslife #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #authentic #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore
Medu bookstore is one of the most revered and prestigious bookstores in Georgia. I was honored to stop by say hello to Ms. Nia Damali and her crew. Make sure you stop by. There are signed copies of Island Queen and she should get Sister Mother Warrior soon.
#books #summerreads #haiti #haitian #hatianrevolution #historical #historicalfiction #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #womenleaders #blackbook #forgottenhistory #bookstore #blackwomen #blackhistory #vanessarileybooks #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #sistermotherwarrior
#Africa #warrior #dahomey #islandqueen #vanessarileyindiebookstore
Book Event, Friend, and Foodie Post
Last night 44th and 3rd Bookseller hosted me for an intimate conversation on History and How to Use it to tell the stories of our ancestors.
History is engaging. Finding you—yourself, your people, your great grands, your relations of prior centuries—is the connection we need to understand the strength in our DNA.
If you are in Atlanta, stop by 44th and 3rd. It’s a beautiful bookstore with great selections and friendly folks. That’s Warren and Cheryl, the bookstore hosts.
Author pals came out for fun and history, of course. Check out their fabulous books:
Sharon Cooper (USA Bestselling author of Business Not As Usual, Atlanta’s Finest Series, Jenkins Construction Series)
Sharina Harris (Imperfectly Happy, In For A Penny)
Lauren H. Kelley(Suits in Pursuit Series)
We had a wonderful dinner at Amalfi Cucina Italiana in downtown Atlanta. That’s one of their gourmet pizza (Carne -San Marzano tomato sauce, spicy salami, meatballs, spicy sausage, bacon jam, mozzarella, basil, EVOO) and yummy Charcuterie Board. Delicious.
Check out 44th & 3rd Bookseller. I left a few signed copies.
Be safe, and make sure to dine with friends.
Like and Share. Support our indie bookstores.
And follow me for more bookish, foodie, loving-my-friends news.
#books #historical #historicalfiction #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist #historicalmystery #mysteries
#blackbooktok #forgottenhistory #blackwomen #blackhistory #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #murderinwestminster #islandqueen #sistermotherwarrior #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #vanessarileyhere #food #vanessarileyindiebookstore
I got to dress up for a #book cocktail reception at @neibabooks !! It was a pleasure to represent @kensingtonbooks and talk up #ladyworthing #murderinwestminster
My love for an #indiebookstore has no end. The folks from the northeast reaffirmed this. They were amazing. Special shout out to @belmontbooks @savoybookshopcafe @phoenixbooksvt @whitelambooks @oblongbooks
In two weeks, I’ve hit both Portlands (Portland Oregon and Portland Maine).
My standard #traveling garb of a jacket, a scarf, and an easy rolling bag has become a staple.
Side note: Get an easy rolling, light bag. It makes #travel easier. #rollingluggage
Lace Top: @eshakti
Buff Leather skirt and Black leather jacket #leathercult
#murdermystery #historicalmystery #customleather #customclothes #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessariley #tbr
Keep swiping to the end!!!
It’s October Book Tour Time.
Come to the @decaturbookfestival on 10/1 for the Mystery Panel with Samantha and Jillian, moderated by Jill Evans. Pick up some secrets to #ladyworthing !!!
Come to @44thand3rdbookseller 10/8 for a special talk on Bringing The Past Alive Through Fiction. (Call for special autographed/ personalized copies of Sister Mother Warrior and Murder in Westminster)
Pop into @kindredstorieshtx to discuss Women, War, and Murder.
I’m teaching classes on Fiction at the @writersdigest Novel Conference in Pasadena.
I’m throwing a Murder Mystery Who-done-it at @christian_bookloversretreat in Charlotte.
I am in conversation with Beverly Jenkins and @theshaybaby at the RRAW Conference in Alexandria.
Please Like and Share. Come out to an event!!!
My bio has more info. And thank you for your support!!!
#books #historical #historicalfiction #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist
#blackbooktok #forgottenhistory #blackwomen #blackhistory #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #murderinwestminster #islandqueen #sistermotherwarrior #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #writersofinstagram #writerslife #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore
A few sites of Los Angeles and Pasadena. I’m on the West Coast for the Writer’s Digest Conference.
My pals @wandamowrites and @sonali.dev are here teaching classes too.
I’m taught my 4-4-4 Process for creating Fearless Characters.
Mega fun!!! And I had to have a double @innout burger. That is a mainstay for Calli trips.
Books!!!
Lax Bookstores had copies of #sistermotherwarrior and #murderinwestminister.
@vromansbookstore has several signed copies of all my latest books including #adukeaspyanartistandalie and paperback copies #islandqueen .
Check them out!!!
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #romance #writer #writersofinstagram
My Book Tour is hitting the road (or sky). I’m in Tampa on Saturday with @dennysbryce and @piper_huguley
We will have a good time discussing capturing power women in historical fiction.
Denny S. Bryce is the author of Wild Women and The Blues and In the Face of the Sun.
Piper Huguley is the author of By Her Own Design and multiple romance titles.
And I’m holding my summer release: Sister Mother Warrior, about the two women who shaped the Haitian Revolution.
And my first Historical Mystery- The Lady Worthing Mysteries: Murder in Westminster.
Like, follow, and share. Hope to see you.
Links are in bio.
#books #historical #historicalfiction #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist #historicalmystery #mysteries
#blackbooktok #forgottenhistory #blackwomen #blackhistory #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #murderinwestminster #islandqueen #sistermotherwarrior #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #vanessarileyhere #authentic #vanessarileyindiebookstore
It’s all about the moments.
Vanessa here, taking a pause at the @writersdigest conference to imagine Lady Worthing running from a killer down a flight of steps in slippers, a big gown, and the wind blowing through her chignon.
Thank you, Pasadena, for providing inspiration.
Life should be about savoring moments. This weekend was packed with everything from me taking a selfie with #taylorjenkinsreid to watching @sonali.dev and @wandamowrites have special times in the sun.
I was awed by the #authenticity and transparency of @atticalocke (Congrats on the #fromscratch !!!)
And I got to spend an hour at @malikbooks, one of my favorite #indiebookstore. The folks there are the best!!!
Yes, I hit @innout burger one more time. But I did hit the gym too. 🍔🍔🏃 As a #foodie, can’t miss a good burger.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore #booktok #sistermotherwarrior #ladyworthing #murderinwestminster
Final panel at @bookmarksnc the historical fiction panel moderated by @jacintavwhite asking questions about stories of the past matter with @stacydflood and @kaiawrites and me. Amazing conversation
#bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #bnbuzz #barnesandnoble #newreleases #BNBookClub #reesesbookclub #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore
Island Queen, a story of resilience and heart, is here! Four years of world building, six years of research and I present to you Dorothy Kirwan Thomas (#innerdorothy)!!!
Island Queen is available in Print, E, and audio.
Audio is performed by Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury #Bridgerton)
Art by @tonyaengel1 - Amazing!!!
Signed copies & Events: https://linktr.ee/VanessaRiley
Order a copy: https://bit.ly/islandq All links are in my bio.
@popsugar calls #IslandQueen "the must-read historical novel of the summer."
Buy a Copy! Tell a friend!!!
#biography #colonialism
#innerdorothy
#vanessariley #islandqueen #hats #myinnerdorothy #caribbean #readcaribbean #books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #montserrat #grenada #barbados #guyana #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #womenempowerment #blackgirlmagic #womensupportingwomen #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileybn #vanessarileyhere
Another stop on the way to @bookmarksnc festival, #Davidson for @mainstreetbooksdavidson
Great staff, exciting selections and again Tarkington shots of friends.
Thanks @harpercollins and @williammorrowbooks for helping me route this drive.
#books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #bnbuzz #barnesandnoble #newreleases #BNBookClub #reesesbookclub #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #indiebookstore #vanessariley #vanessarileyindiebookstore
On my way to the @bookmarksnc Festival and I stopped at Super Indie #Bookstore @parkrowbooks in Charlotte and met the folks and signed books.
Thanks @williammorrowbooks for preparing my stops.
And I love seeing friends on the shelves.
#vanessariley
#writerscommunity #islandqueen #historicalromance #books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #bnbuzz #barnesandnoble #newreleases #BNBookClub #reesesbookclub #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore
My favorite thing to do when I’m in a new/different city is go to bookstores. Today in #LA #losangeles, I hung out at @esowonbooks @malikbooks @reparations.club and even left an arc (advanced reader copy) or two.
Each store is divine with history and aesthetics to make your book loving heart pound. And I loved see my books and my pal authors on these shelves too. Support your #indiebookstore Support #blackbookstores Support local or neighborhood bookstores!!
#vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore #tbr #tbrpile #books #blackbook #blackbookstore
I’ll show you my personal haul in stories. What is your favorite bookstore.
Had a fabulous time at @hubcitybookshop in #spartanburgsc
The lovely shop was a former #masonictemple
Quaint, homey, and I was able to join the author’s corner where visiting author’s sign the wall!!!
books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileyhere
Back home from my DC trip, and just taking a moment to reflect.
Every minute was memorable and fun, from hitting the @librarycongress and spending time in the map room to conversations and signings at @sankofadc @loyaltybooks @mahoganybooks @politicsprose and @eastcitybookshop
My partner in many of these visits was the delightful @dennysbryce and I wish to send out my special thanks to the cohort— Dear hubby and road dog hung in there. Agent @seyitsme brought me coffee!!! Love doing life with you all.
August will be another busy month. I’m flying out tomorrow to Kansas City to #RomanceGenreCon @mcplmo
And then back for the @blackwritersweekend @aambcawards
Link: https://www.mymcpl.org/events/featured/romance-genrecon?fs=e&s=cl
#writerlife #writersofinstagram #writing #books #bookstore #indiebookstore #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyauthor #vanessariley
My last stop on this bookstore road trip was @mjudsonbooks in #greenvillesc
This lovely bookstore was a former courthouse.
This multi-story bookstore was adorable. Saw friends books and enjoyed the #brown sugar latte!!!
books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks
Thank you @williammorrowbooks for arranging this trip. Thank Susan and staff for hosting us!!!
books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileyhere
Finally arrived at @bookmarksnc. This #indiebookstore is adorable. The staff is super friendly. The books are diverse. Love it.
I signed a lot of books. Do come out and support the Festival!!! Thank you @williammorrowbooks and @harpercollins for arranging this tour for me.
#vanessariley
#writerscommunity #islandqueen #anearlthegirlandatoddler #aduketheladyandababy #romance #historicalromance #books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #vanessarileyindiebookstore #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #bnbuzz #barnesandnoble #vanessarileysign #BNBookClub #reesesbookclub #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks