Conversations with Joy Allyson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Allyson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Like millions of other readers across the globe, reading romances has always been a favorite escape avenue for me. From reading romances, I transitioned to writing them but didn’t become a serious writer until I retired as an educator. I soon joined a local writer’s group in the Nashville area and started attending conferences and workshops to perfect my craft. Once the global COVID pandemic hit, I was able to devote myself full-time to writing. My first attempts took place in the traditional romance book settings – London – and Paris when my close friend suggested I write a story taking place in Tennessee. And she added that some of the best stories are all about whiskey.
From that point on, Whiskey Love, my debut novel published by The Wild Rose Press, took flight. I must have visited ten different distilleries in TN and Ky, doing research and interviewing distillers and historians. The premise of Whiskey Love is that the heroine inherits her grandfather’s whiskey distillery in 1892 before women were even allowed to vote. Being a native Tennessean – I had the mountain lingo down pat (x…). There was no need to replicate Outlander and all the other Highlander romances flooding the market with their Scottish brogue.
This brings me to one of the most essential elements of me as a writer – authenticity. My love of history and research are critical to me as an author. I love discovering historical nuggets and using them in my stories without sounding like an encyclopedia. Readers of my novels say the historical components of my romances are one of their favorite features.
I am currently writing my fourth novel, which will hopefully be released later this year.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Unless you are with a major publishing house, marketing is left up to the author.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the author of three historical romance novels. My debut novel, Whiskey Love, was launched in June of 2022, and its sequel, Whiskey Secrets, came out the next year. Both were published by The Wild Rose Press. My ‘Whiskey’ books have a Nashville & Tennessee tie. The premise is that a young woman inherits a whiskey distillery from her grandfather at a time when women were not even allowed to vote. The sequel takes place during the prohibition era.
A great deal of research – a lot of it quite fun (12 different distilleries were visited)- went into the writing of both books. Whiskey Secrets was selected as the Winner of Best Historical Romance for 2024 by NN Light Book Heaven.
My third book, Tamari Island, was published last fall. It is about a young woman who takes a job on a South Pacific Island as the Vietnam War is ending. I am finishing my edits for my fourth book now which I include my favorite characters – rebellious heroines and salvageable scoundrels.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
As a writer, authenticity matters most. AI can try and duplicate any fictional prose, but it will never outdo an author who seeks creativity and rejects conformity. Having readers tell you that they not only love your books but learned from your stories is music to my ears.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joyallyson.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/joyallysonromance
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyAllysonAuthor
• Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/joyallysonbooks