Conversations with Alex Alper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Alper

Alex, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My writing journey is surprisingly simple – I have always written and always will. When people ask why I write, or how, or the best way to hone their craft, the disappointing but simple answer is: Practice.

The first “book” (to use the term loosely) I recall writing was a never-ending, plotless ripoff of Dora the Explorer that five-year-old me scribbled in one of those blue notebooks. Every sentence I wrote, every book that I read, every time I asked somebody to read over my work — it brought me a little bit closer to a prolific adult, one talking monkey dialogue at a time.

So in many ways, there was no other path for me. I don’t write because I want to publish a book. I write because I have to, and I publish them because I want to reach across the wide world. Maybe I’ll reach another five-year-old girl with a notebook.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve been writing since I was 5 years old, so of course there have been bumps and long stretches of writers block along the way…but it has mostly been a good learning experience. Everything I read and every good author that I connect with gives me new ideas, more stylistic choices to consider, a different perspective on my motifs than even I knew. Reading and writing really does hone your skill.

The first major obstacle came when I self-published my first novel. It took a long two years to decide to give up on querying agents, and that was a blow. Ultimately, I know it’s the book market – the novel is about lesbian best friends exploring adulthood, and nobody wants to put their bets on that. It’s hard to get that kind of thing made, especially while print sales are declining.

We decided to put it out there ourselves and keep querying our other projects, and that was for the best. It also gave us complete creative control, which was a plus. All you do is move forward and keep trying.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a writer and digital content creator in many aspects, but I particularly specialize in fiction writing. Although I dabble in poetry and short stories, fiction is really what I’m “known for” so to speak. In my professional (A.K.A. paying) life, I’m a blog writer and marketer and social media manager and one hundred other hats, but my true passion is my manuscripts.

My loyal readers know me for emotional and often romantic fiction. I co-authored my first novel, First Woman on Earth, with a friend and self-published it on Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble. It’s a post-Bildungsroman about being a proud but outcast gay woman realizing that she’s still emotionally unfulfilled, even pursuing her childhood dream. I’m querying my second, August Moon, a magical realism lesbian romance about classism and the cycle of addiction.

What sets me apart? I tell the stories that I wish I could find on the shelves. Somewhere out there, I know someone else is also yearning to explore that gap.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am happiest when I have nothing pressing to do and can dedicate some time to my writing and art. Time and joy are my best motivators; if I can’t work out, spend time with my pets and my partner, watch my favorite show, play a game or two, perhaps enjoy a sauna or hot shower…I’ll do good work, but it won’t be my best. When you come a chaotic place, it makes you want to slow down and enjoy an empty schedule on a sunny day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: alextheacceptable
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-alper/
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJB9NSYX