Question 1

How do you say your name?

Accepted Answer

Thanks for asking! My name is Ah-lee-sha D-ow!

Question 2

Where are you from?

Accepted Answer

I was born and raised in Milford, Massachusetts!

Question 3

Where did you go to school?

Accepted Answer

I went to Milford High School, then onto Johnson & Wales University where I received my Bachelor's of Science in Baking & Pastry Arts, and then to Simmons College (and finished at the University of South Florida) for my Master's in Library & Information Science.

Question 4

Where do you live now?

Accepted Answer

Currently, I live in a small village in Germany.

Question 5

So, you're a pastry chef, what's your favorite dessert to make?

Accepted Answer

My favorite thing will always be pie. When I was a growing up, there were apple orchards everywhere. After school, I would help the owners pick the apples in return for a basket. Needless to say, I got very good at making apple pie! It was a special thing my mom and I would do, and I still feel close to her when I bake one.

Question 6

What's your favorite thing to eat?

Accepted Answer

Nearly anything you can serve at afternoon tea OR chocolate covered raisins :))

Question 7

What are your favorite movies?

Accepted Answer

Black Panther, Sleeping Beauty, Sinners, About Time, Baby Boom, The Holiday, and more :)

Question 8

Your books feature a lot of music, what do you like to listen to?

Accepted Answer

Everything except probably country and metal. I grew up with oldies and those feature a lot in my stories. My tastes change with my mood. I love music that makes me feel!

Question 9

What was your journey to becoming a published author?

Accepted Answer

I wrote my first story in kindergarten and then and there, I thought I might like to tell stories, though I wasn't sure how. Most of my childhood was spent reading or in the library. In college, I took food writing and became a critic, and that opened up the writing world to me. Soon after, I was starting stories--though never finishing them. After becoming a librarian, I thought it would be cool to take a writing superheroes class. That was a big moment for me! I learned how to tell a complete story. From there, I got a Writing in the Margins Mentorship from Tamara Mataya, and a year later, The Sound of Stars was born. There were some bumps along the way, but I'm happy and honored to be writing today.

Question 10

Any advice for new writers?

Accepted Answer

Don't let rejection break your heart. Keep writing. People will need your stories, and no one can write like you.

Question 11

Are you available to speak to schools, book clubs, libraries?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Please go to my "EVENTS & SERVICES" Page!!

Question 12

How do you get through writer's block?

Accepted Answer

I walk. I dance. I watch something or read something in another genre. I fill my head with everything but the story and weirdly, by the time I'm not thinking about it, I'll have found a solution to my block!

Question 13

Who are your favorite authors?

Accepted Answer

SO MANY FAVORITES. I really loved Philip K. Dick growing up. But right now,  I love Sarah Beth Durst, Rocky Callen, Jenny L. Howe,  Aiden Thomas, Rebecca Coffindaffer,  Jason June, Mara Rutherford, Sonido Reyes, Emily Varga, Kamilah Cole, Caroline Bonin, and Tracy Badua. This was a tough question, shame on you for stressing me out, lol!