Alyssa Cole is a best-selling author known for her work in various genres such as sci-fi, historical fiction, contemporary romance novels, and thrillers. With a strong online presence, she has amassed a large following of 10,000 on Instagram and 20,000 on Twitter. Her talent and dedication to her craft have been recognized, as evidenced by her receiving the prestigious 2021 Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Paperback Original for her book When No One Is Watching.
Rooted in her own experiences, Alyssa Cole drew inspiration for her book When No One Is Watching from witnessing the gentrification process in her upbringing in New York City and New Jersey. Growing up, she immersed herself in the works of authors such as Mary Higgins Clark, Walter Mosley, Anne Rice, and Stephen King, who paved the way for her own literary journey. It was through a Twitter pitch contest held by Carina, the digital arm of Harlequin, that her 2015 sci-fi romance trilogy Off the Grid was discovered and published.
An artist at heart, Alyssa Cole initially aspired to be a comic book artist. However, after her college years, she gained experience as a production editor for a science journal based in Brooklyn. She has a keen interest in science, evident in her enjoyment of listening to French science podcasts like La méthode scientifique and La tête au carré. Together with her French husband, Alyssa splits her time living between Martinique and the United States.
Alyssa Cole's unique perspective and passion for representation are evident in her writing. As a child, she challenged the lack of diversity in literature by reimagining characters with "brown" skin instead of the traditional "ivory" or "pale" descriptions. Raised in the Bronx, New York, and Jersey City, New Jersey, Alyssa's love for books was nurtured by her supportive parents who encouraged her voracious reading habit.
Her novel Let It Shine was influenced by Ta-Nehisi Coates' blog, a source of daily inspiration for her. Alyssa Cole's journey as a young adult author continues to break boundaries and redefine genres, making her a prominent figure in the literary world.
Alyssa Cole's dedication to storytelling, representation, and pushing boundaries has solidified her place as an influential figure in the literary landscape. Her impact reaches beyond the pages of her books, resonating with readers worldwide.