Aliza Mann (she/her) is a contemporary romance novelist born in Athens, Georgia, who now resides in the Midwestern United States. Having never met a stranger and possessing a deep appreciation for true-blue romance, she adores small-town settings that highlight family dynamics, big emotions and love that can be felt through the pages. Aliza adores Michigan autumns, a good pair of boots and spending time with her family for any reason, from holiday gatherings to simply shooting the breeze. Aliza is a full-time romance author who works with nonprofit boards focused on literary advocacy and professional development for authors, in addition to writing bold, captivating romances.
Aliza’s upcoming romance trilogy will be published in Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
Harlequin: Tell us about yourself. Our readers want to know!
AM: Writing takes A LOT of time, but when I am not behind my desk pounding on the keyboard, I can be found spending time with family, playing golf or baking. My perfect day is rainy and filled with books, comfy blankets and a hot oven. Desserts are my love language, and I have a special appreciation for French sweets—macarons, éclairs and crème brûlée top the list. I do not make them as often as pound cakes, cookies and pies, but I cannot get enough of them.
H: What led you to becoming a romance writer?
AM: I have always loved romance. As a teenager, I would cook up elaborate plots to sneak novels from my mother’s romance collection and try my hardest to read them without cracking the spines. Though writing styles have changed over time, nothing quite compares to experiencing the trials and tribulations of finding love, keeping love and looking forward to forever. I am a romantic at heart and a dreamer, so romance novels and I were destined for one another.
H: What were the big steps in your journey to becoming a published author?
AM: A lot of authors will tell you that finding an agent and reaching other milestones that measure the trajectory of your career are among the biggest steps an author can take. I agree. While all those things are important to me, my biggest accomplishment has been identifying the type of writer I wanted to be. I have tried a few genres and even followed a few trends, but once I found small-town romances and readers who appreciate my voice, I felt as if I had struck gold.
There will always be milestones to reach, because who doesn’t want to be successful? But I have realized that what drives me is writing stories people remember, creating novels that feel like home and finding readers who turn to my stories for a moment of happiness in this ever-changing, sometimes scary world.
Hitting a bestseller list and finding representation are amazing, and I do love those achievements. However, giving someone a reason to smile and hope will always be my goal.
H: What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
AM: I remember receiving lots of advice when I first started, such as buying the perfect software to keep track of my novels, joining the best writing groups and keeping up with all the latest and greatest craft techniques. The advice that helped me most was to read widely and practice writing as often as possible. Someone said an author must write a million words before becoming ‘good’. I am not sure there is a magic number, but I believe practice, practice and more practice will help an author stand out in the crowd.
Initially, I wished for a magic pill or potion that would show me the way. In the end, I have most enjoyed learning and growing as an author. A huge part of that is figuring out how to craft a compelling story, learning the intricacies of character development and perfecting plot techniques—skills that develop only through the act of writing.
For aspiring authors, it is very important to make time to create. Life can be busy, so prioritizing writing can feel impossible. The thing to remember is that your author career is important. I do not believe one must write every day, but establishing a dedicated writing schedule and sticking to it as much as possible is a great start.
H: What did you do when you got the call from Harlequin?
AM: Goodness, I called a couple of close friends and “squeed” for hours. But the best part was calling my mother. I told her I had received an offer and confessed to stealing her Harlequin romances as a kid. After she congratulated me, we laughed for a while and then she said something that made me collapse into a blubbering heap. She said, “I always knew…” Later that evening, I opened a bottle of champagne with my partner, and we toasted to learning just how sweet life can be.
Now let’s hear from the editor, Kalyani Gandhi:
Aliza came highly recommended to us by one of our of long-time authors. Her initial pitch for the Triple 8 Ranch trilogy, a Black rancher family saga with complex characters and mysterious events, was instantly intriguing! However, what stood out the most about Aliza was her excellent understanding of the genre she was writing for and the intricate world she had created. Her compelling characters and emotional and suspenseful storylines make her a great fit for the Romantic Suspense line. We think her stories will really resonate with our readers and we’re so delighted to have her on board!
