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Author of THE ELEVENTH TRADE

alyssamhollingsworth@gmail.com
Alyssa HollingsworthAlyssa Hollingsworth
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Some Good Things in 2020!

Some Good Things in 2020!

Sep 24, 2020

This year has been a ride, hasn’t it? But there have been some good things happening, and I’m here to share them! PhD Program and Move Long-time readers will know that I loved my master’s at Bath Spa University. In fact, I loved it so much… I came back! Last fall, I applied for and was given admission to Bath Spa’s Creative Writing PhD program. Why do a PhD? A couple of reasons, including gaining experience, the opportunity to teach, and an excuse to return to the United Kingdom for a few years. My PhD project is on messages about...

Less than Two Weeks til Launch!

Less than Two Weeks til Launch!

Sep 6, 2018

We are only 12 days from the launch of The Eleventh Trade. THIS IS NOT A DRILL, PEOPLE. On September 18th, my book baby will be on the shelves. For anyone to see. And read.  So what does the life of an about-to-debut author person look like? Well… Busy Busy Busy The next month or two promises to be very exciting! And also very crazy! Next week, I’ll be presenting a talk about Creative Writing and Research with my lovely Sarah Driver at Christopher Newport University.  The following Tuesday, September 18th, is launch day (!!!!). The launch party will be held at...

Recent Highlights from WriteOnCon

Recent Highlights from WriteOnCon

Nov 28, 2017

Things have been scarce on the blog recently, and that’s down to three things: Deadlines for The Eleventh Trade revision The Invisible Boy draft 2 writing WriteOnCon‘s fundraiser!!!!! It’s the last thing I want to talk about today. If you don’t remember, WriteOnCon is an online kidlit conference covering everything from picture books to young adult, featuring tons of industry specialists from all around the spectrum. (I am personally incredibly ecstatic about GAIL CARSON LEVINE who is COMING TO THE CONFERENCE and I CAN’T EVEN DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!) Since I’ve been doing a lot over on WriteOnCon, I don’t want you guys to miss out....

Writing Through Trauma

Writing Through Trauma

Feb 17, 2017

On the WriteOnCon forums this year, an interesting topic came up: How do you write when you have personal trauma(s)? Do you use them, or avoid them? I only have my own experience to draw from, and everyone is unique. Our wounds are different and the ways we carry them are different. So please take this with a grain of salt. In my young life, I’ve already had to carry a few traumas. Mine (like most) rise from situations where I (or a loved one) were incredibly unsafe, and afterward my life was entirely changed. That how my counselor defines trauma, by the...

2016: In Review

2016: In Review

Dec 28, 2016

I am not sure how to do a year in review this time around. A lot of people have many things to say about 2016, and much of it isn’t encouraging. But what has been black for many has been more complex for me. Here are some moments from 2016: January I dance the night away with my nieces at one cousin’s wedding. Megan and Hana think I’ve got the moves, and I let ’em believe it. New diagnosis: Gastroparesis. It is the third autoimmune attack in under a year, and takes my diet from “gluten free levels of inconvenient” to “ask me...

Origin Story: Writing

Origin Story: Writing

Aug 26, 2015

I thought I’d take a little trek down Memory Lane via Sentimental Highway and talk a bit about my writing journey. My family has a home video of me at age three telling a story in an unintelligible Southern accent about pink dogs (my mom translates in the video, which is the only reason we can understand it now). So basically: I’ve been telling stories since I could talk. Growing up, Dad read to me and my siblings every night—you know, the light stuff like Lord of the Rings (three times between the span of me being 7-13) and Once...

Graduating BSU + Valedictorian Speech

Graduating BSU + Valedictorian Speech

Jul 15, 2015

About a month ago, I had an email from my course leader for the MA Writing for Young People, Julia Green. She told me that I had been selected as valedictorian, and asked if I would be able to make it back across the Pond for graduation. I had composed a very gracious reply that basically said I couldn’t possibly afford it, but before I hit send I walked downstairs to tell my mom, figuring she would probably be pretty excited. Our conversation: Me: I had an email from Julia Green. Mom: [on phone texting] Mhm. Me: She said I’m...

The Launch Party: On Agents, Publishers, and Community

The Launch Party: On Agents, Publishers, and Community

May 13, 2015

Last July, I volunteered to co-edit the Bath Spa University MA Writing for Young People anthology with Irulan Horner. I don’t think either of us realized quite how much work we’d be doing, though we were warned. Over the last ten/eleven months, I’ve worked from afar extensively with our mail-out team, developed a website and social media strategy with Lindsay Schiro, and edited, edited, edited the little book that became Beautiful Lies. (Also, I’m going to humbly approach the #bragtable and mention that the title was my idea – based on a David Almond quote – and I am very...

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Alyssa Hollingsworth

Alyssa was born in small town Milton, Florida, but life as a roving military kid soon mellowed her (unintelligibly strong) Southern accent. Wanderlust is in her blood, and she’s always waiting for the wind to change. Stories remain her constant.

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the girl

Alyssa Hollingsworth
Alyssa was born in small town Milton, Florida, but life as a roving military kid soon mellowed her (unintelligibly strong) Southern accent. Wanderlust is in her blood, and she’s always waiting for the wind to change. Stories remain her constant.

© 2018 · Alyssa Hollingsworth

  • Home
  • Bio
    • Press Kit
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  • Teacher Resources
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