Author: Alexis

2023 Goal: Less Scrolling, More Reading

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This post, like the previous, is a companion post for my monthly newsletter, so as not to clutter it up with links. There you can find not just news about my latest and upcoming books, but insights about my writing process, along with my thoughts about the media I’m reading/watching/listening to every month. Sometimes you’ll even get an early look at a cover reveal or exclusive access to a free story. If that sounds like your thing, you can subscribe here.

Here’s a look at the books I’ve read in 2023 so far. Pretty amazing considering my original reading goal for the entire year was just 20 books! 📚🏆

collage graphic of all the books listed below

I enjoyed all of these for different reasons but I’ve put stars next to the standouts. For reviews on select books, follow me on BookBub.

2023 Craft Books TBR

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Last year I only read one writing book. (It was a hard reading year.) For 2023, I’m aiming to spend less time scrolling and more time reading, and I’m hopeful I’ll finish at least a few craft books and related nonfiction titles along the way. Here’s a look at what’s on my TBR.

stack of books

Show Your Work: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon
Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose by Constance Hale
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance edited by Jayne Ann Krentz
The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier
Writing the Romantic Comedy: The Art of Crafting Funny Love Stories for the Screen by Billy Mernit
Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story by Angus Fletcher
Write True: A Bestseller’s Guide to Writing Craft and Achieving Success in the Romance Industry by Jennifer Probst
Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos
How to Read Now: Essays by Elaine Castillo
The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black
Breaking the Good Girl Myth: How to Dismantle Outdated Rules, Unleash Your Power, and Design a More Purposeful Life by Majo Molfino
Intimations: Six Essays by Zadie Smith

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

A Lot Like Adiós Preorder Gifts!

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A Lot Like Adiós comes out on September 14th and I’m so excited to partner with these amazing indie bookstores for the preorder campaign and virtual launch event! There are a few options, so please take a look below.

Option 1: Signed copies

Preorder from Word Up Community Bookshop and receive a SIGNED print copy of A Lot Like Adiós, admission to the virtual launch event, an acrylic charm keychain, and a bookmark!

Order at Word Up Community Bookshop

These adorable charms show Gabe and Michelle in two different outfits! Illustration by Mayhara Ferraz.

*Orders made after the charms run out will receive a sticker with the same design. Charms/stickers/bookmarks available while supplies last.

Option 2: Signed Bookplates

Preorder from East City Bookshop, Love’s Sweet Arrow, Loyalty Bookstores, or WORD Bookstores and receive a print copy of A Lot Like Adiós with a SIGNED BOOKPLATE, admission to the virtual launch event, an art print, and a bookmark!

East City Bookshop
Love’s Sweet Arrow
Loyalty Bookstores
WORD Bookstores

Art print features a gorgeous collage of Gabe and Michelle through the years. Illustrated by Leni Kauffman.

*Bookplates/art prints/bookmarks available while supplies last.

Option 3: Digital goodies

Preorder A Lot Like Adiós ANYWHERE and upload your receipt info to receive desktop and phone wallpapers of the collage!

Enter your proof of purchase here

*Available until September 20th. Digital goodies will be sent via email.

A Lot Like Adiós Virtual Launch Event
Tuesday, September 14th, 7pm ET
Join author Alexis Daria and Oprah Daily‘s Arianna Davis as they discuss Alexis’s new novel, A Lot Like Adiós, along with special guests Adriana Herrera and Zoraida Córdova/Zoey Castile.
To gain admission to the event, preorder A Lot Like Adiós through one of these participating bookstores, and you will receive an email with the event link: Word Up Community Bookshop, East City Bookshop, Love’s Sweet Arrow, Loyalty Bookstores, WORD Bookstores

What the Hex is here!

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What the Hex is now available for your listening pleasure!

Listen to What the Hex on Audible

WHAT THE HEX

Welcome to Isla Bruja, a secret magical enclave near Miami and home to the richest and most powerful Latinx witch families.

When Catalina Cartagena returns home for her older sister’s wedding, she’s shocked to discover that her soon-to-be brother in law is possessed by a demon. To make matters worse, everyone else seems to be under the demon’s spell—except for Diego Paz, younger brother of the groom and Cat’s childhood rival. 

With only three days until the wedding, Cat must join forces with her sexy nemesis to break the spell and defeat the demon. If they fail, demonic forces will control two of the most powerful witch families on Isla Bruja.

There’s only one bed at the magical B&B, and it’s time for these witches to get wicked…in more ways than one.

Also included in the Audible Plus program.

Narration by Jacqueline Grace Lopez
Cover illustration by María Dresden

Listen to WHAT THE HEX by @alexisdaria! Out now from @audible_com. https://adbl.co/whatthehex

What the Hex Cover Reveal!

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I’m thrilled to share the cover for What the Hex, my upcoming Audible Original novella! It’s a paranormal rom-com about a family of glamorous Latinx witches in Miami, coming July 1st for your summer audiobook listening pleasure.

WHAT THE HEX

Welcome to Isla Bruja, a secret magical enclave near Miami and home to the richest and most powerful Latinx witch families.

When Catalina Cartagena returns home for her older sister’s wedding, she’s shocked to discover that her soon-to-be brother in law is possessed by a demon. To make matters worse, everyone else seems to be under the demon’s spell—except for Diego Paz, younger brother of the groom and Cat’s childhood rival. 

With only three days until the wedding, Cat must join forces with her sexy nemesis to break the spell and defeat the demon. If they fail, demonic forces will control two of the most powerful witch families on Isla Bruja.

There’s only one bed at the magical B&B, and it’s time for these witches to get wicked…in more ways than one.

What the Hex will be available on July 1st as part of the Audible Plus program.

I’m so excited to introduce you to the Cartagena familia! Here they are!

Isn’t it fantastic? I love it so much! And if the style looks familiar, it’s because it was illustrated by María Dresden, who did the You Had Me at Hola webtoon last year. María is a joy to work with and I’m so happy she was able to join this project!

Check out the cover reveal for WHAT THE HEX by @alexisdaria! Out 7/1/21 from @audible_com.

A Lot Like Adiós cover reveal!

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I’m thrilled to finally share the cover for A Lot Like Adiós!

This book takes place about a year after You Had Me at Hola and follows Michelle, one of Jasmine’s Primas of Power, as she reconnects with an old friend.

Once again, Bo Feng Lin has illustrated a cover beyond my wildest dreams. And Elsie Lyons, the designer, has done a stellar job hand-lettering the text to match. 

Here’s the back cover copy:

A LOT LIKE ADIÓS

The national bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola returns with a seductive second-chance romance about a commitment-phobic Latina and her childhood best friend who has finally returned home.

Hi Mich. It’s Gabe. 

After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.

It’s been a long time.

Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place in the world Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new marketing campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him. 

I’ve missed you.

Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As they work on the campaign, old feelings resurface and their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adiós again?

A Lot Like Adiós will be out on September 14th, and is available for preorder now.

And now, without further ado, meet Michelle and Gabe!

Check out the cover reveal for A LOT LIKE ADIÓS by @alexisdaria! Out 9/14/21 from @avonbooks.

Solstice Dream

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A FREE Summer Solstice-themed short story available to newsletter subscribers for a limited time.

Two people dreaming of love find their wishes granted on the longest day of the year.

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Solstice Dream by Alexis Daria

Emma Reyes has it bad for Logan Argento, the single dad next door. When he asks her to host his daughter’s witch-themed birthday party, Emma leaps at the chance to help. She’s been looking to shake up her usual Summer Solstice celebration, and this might be just what she needs. Because little does Logan know, Emma is a real witch pretending to be a regular person pretending to be a fake witch. Emma dreams of finding true love, but so far, her magical secret has made relationships impossible. Could Logan be the one to break her dry spell?

Download link will be included in the welcome email.

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“You Had Me at Hola” Cover Reveal!

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I’m so excited to share my next book with you! The official reveal went up yesterday on Entertainment Weekly, along with an interview I did with Maureen Lee Lenker where I talked a little more about the inspiration behind the book and cover. Check out the interview, and enjoy the blurb and cover below.

Here’s the official blurb:

RITA® Award Winning author Alexis Daria brings readers an unforgettable, hilarious rom-com set in the drama-filled world of telenovelas—perfect for fans of Jane the Virgin and The Kiss Quotient.

Leading Ladies do not end up on tabloid covers.

After a messy public breakup, soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez finds her face splashed across the tabloids. When she returns to her hometown of New York City to film the starring role in a bilingual romantic comedy for the number one streaming service in the country, Jasmine figures her new “Leading Lady Plan” should be easy enough to follow—until a casting shake-up pairs her with telenovela hunk Ashton Suárez.

Leading Ladies don’t need a man to be happy.

After his last telenovela character was killed off, Ashton is worried his career is dead as well. Joining this new cast as a last-minute addition will give him the chance to show off his acting chops to American audiences and ping the radar of Hollywood casting agents. To make it work, he’ll need to generate smoking-hot on-screen chemistry with Jasmine. Easier said than done, especially when a disastrous first impression smothers the embers of whatever sexual heat they might have had.

Leading Ladies do not rebound with their new costars.

With their careers on the line, Jasmine and Ashton agree to rehearse in private. But rehearsal leads to kissing, and kissing leads to a behind-the-scenes romance worthy of a soap opera. While their on-screen performance improves, the media spotlight on Jasmine soon threatens to destroy her new image and expose Ashton’s most closely guarded secret.

You Had Me at Hola will be out July 2020, and is available for preorder. And now, please say hola to Ashton and Jasmine!

Illustrated book cover with a man and a woman embracing
Cover illustration by Bo Feng Lin

Check out the cover reveal for @alexisdaria’s upcoming rom-com, YOU HAD ME AT HOLA!

Dance All Night is here!

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Dance All Night: A Dance Off Holiday Novella by Alexis Daria cover

Dance All Night, a holiday novella set in Alexis Daria’s award-winning Dance Off series about finding love on and off the dance floor.

The next installment in The Dance Off series is live! If you enjoy lighthearted Christmas romances with swoon-worthy dance numbers and a hefty dose of humor, this novella is for you. Dance All Night features Nik Kovalenko (from Dance with Me) and Jess Davenport (from Take the Lead), but it can be read as a standalone. Nik and Jess were a joy to write, but this release is extra exciting because it marks me dipping my toe into indie publishing waters. The experience was super fun and I’m so happy to be able to bring you more Dance Off stories!

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks  |  Kobo  |  Google  |  Ebooks.com 

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Broadway hotshot Nik Kovalenko is a confirmed bachelor.

Ballroom champion Jess Davenport is a bona fide Scrooge.

Last year, they shared a midnight kiss at a New Year’s Eve party that made both of them believe—briefly—in the magic of the holiday season. The magic was cut short when Nik went on tour the next day, but he never stopped thinking about that kiss—or Jess.

When the holidays roll back around, Nik runs into Jess again. He doesn’t want to spend another year pining for the Scrooge who got away, so he tells Jess he’ll stay if she’ll give him a shot at being her Christmas Present.

Jess thinks he’s full of it, but she agrees to three dates. If Nik can make her believe in holiday magic in a place as un-wintery as Los Angeles—and convince her that he’s ready to stick around—she’ll give him a chance. But he won’t know until New Year’s Eve. If she kisses him at midnight, he’ll have his answer…

Check out the Spotify playlist and Pinterest board for Dance All Night!

6 Writing Craft Techniques in One Draft

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6 Writing Craft TechniquesBooks on writing craft aren’t for everyone, which is totally fine. I happen to get a lot out of them, but my approach is to take what works and scrap the rest. When I read craft books, it’s with an eye toward finding the gems that will supplement and strengthen my existing process, then I promptly forget the parts that don’t resonate with me.

While drafting Dance All Night: A Dance Off Holiday Novella, I noticed I was using elements from a number of different sources in my process, and I was able to pinpoint which craft books had given me each of these tools. The thing was, I hadn’t really thought about this as I was doing it. As I’d read each book, I had filed away the parts that appealed to me in my mental writer’s toolbox. During the process of planning, drafting, and revising the novella before sending it to my editor, I had used these tools without thinking, “I should use that step from that method.” The tools were just there, right when I needed them.

In this post, I’ll walk through each step and link the book that gave it to me. My thanks to all of these wonderful writers for sharing their tips and knowledge!

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