Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch Author Interview: Alyssa Alessi
Rasta
Hello cinnabar moths or any kind of moth you’d like to be welcome to the Writer’s Triangle, Cinnabar Moth’s podcast about all things publishing and books. Today we’re here with Alyssa Alessi author of Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch. Alyssa, how’re you doing today?
Alyssa
I’m doing great. Thanks. How are you?
Rasta
Wonderful, and I’m excited to talk to you today. Are you feeling excited about the release of Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch coming out this upcoming Tuesday?
Alyssa
Um, I am super excited. I’m super ready for Izzy to be out in the world.
Rasta
So what are you most looking forward to about the release of Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch and are you going to do anything special with this release?
Alyssa
So I am actually planning a giant spooky book fair to launch Izzy and I feel like it’s the perfect way to celebrate with the entire community. Other horror authors throughout New England I’m super excited.
Rasta
Oh, wow. So you’re doing a whole event then?
Alyssa
Yeah, instead of just being a launch just all eyes on me all eyes on Izzy I was like, you know what, I would feel more comfortable just celebrating with everyone. So we just turned it into a giant party instead.
Rasta
It sounds like it’ll be a good time. And they’ll also give people you know, a variety of experience with it. And I think that also helps with, you know, connecting with other authors as well, you know, we can uplift everybody at the same time. That sounds really nice.
Alyssa
Thank you. Um, I’m definitely excited for that. I’m always looking for ways to connect with other writers and especially other horror writers, because I feel like sometimes horror writers kind of get left in the dust. So it’s good to connect and kind of share our experiences and our thoughts. And I’m super excited.
Rasta
It does sound really awesome. And so with connecting with other writers and everything, you know, being an author, you’ve written, you have a book that’s out – is Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch the first book that you’ve written, or is a different book that is your first
Alyssa
So Izzy Hoffman is the first middle grade novel that I’ve written. In the past, I’ve played with different types of writing styles, kind of trying to figure out you know, what feels the most comfortable for me? What flows the easiest. I’ve tried some spooky picture books, some spooky graphic novels. A few adult short stories for Izzy Hoffman is the first middle grade full novel that I’ve actually completed. So it feels good to get her out there.
Rasta
Okay, so it sounds to me like this is the first full length novel that you’ve published. Is that correct?
Alyssa
Correct. It is. Yeah.
Rasta
Okay. And so how does that feel with having your first full length novel going out there into the world?
Alyssa
Um, it feels, it feels good. It feels like I’ve accomplished something. But at the same time, it feels like Okay, what’s next? Like, what else? What else do we want to share?
Rasta
So you’re already feeling excited for your next project?
Alyssa
I am. I’m super excited.
Rasta
That’s awesome. I think that having that excitement moving forward, it’s always great to be able to keep going as a writer, right? Because sometimes it can be something we struggle with. There’s inspiration.
Alyssa
I feel like the inspiration is always there. For me, there’s, there’s always an idea brewing, there’s always something I want to write down for later. I feel like it’s more of a confidence issue with impostor syndrome that kind of just comes and goes in waves. I think almost everyone must deal with that. Not even just in writing just in other aspects of life, it just kind of goes up and down. And sometimes you feel like, oh, wow, I have all these great ideas. And I can’t wait to just get this out. And you just type up a whole couple chapters, three chapters, and you’re like, Wow, this is great. And then the next day, you’ve read it over and you’re like, ah, actually, it’s not so great. Let’s What am I writing and you kind of just have to close the computer for a little while. But the idea is just for me, luckily for me, I feel like I have too many ideas.
Rasta
That sounds like something that can be you know, a blessing and a curse right with having so many ideas all the time in This is something that I had when I remember when I was writing my first book, which is my only book is fixed in the midst. I had all these ideas come up while writing that I was like, Oh, I could do this other story arc, or this character’s backstory be so interesting. And it’s like now that that doesn’t, it doesn’t fit into what I’m doing for this.
Alyssa
But that’s great if it doesn’t fit in, because you can just write it down and keep it for later. For later inspiration. You never know.
Rasta
Yeah, that’s true. So speaking of inspirations, is he Hoffman is not a which takes place in Sleepy New England town. What inspired that setting for you?
Alyssa
So I grew up and still live in Boston mass. So it’s not quite a sleepy New England town. But I mean, we have the best autumn season ever. Obviously, I’m biased in that opinion. But we have amazing autumn seasons here. I grew up kind of traveling around New England, getting to see the foliage and getting to see the different historical sites and things that took place here. I grew up going to Salem mass, which I mean, who doesn’t love Salem mass. I got to go trick or treating there as a kid and just kind of always felt the magical energy that lives there. But I didn’t want to set the book in Salem, because I feel like there’s more to New England, I kind of wanted like a sister town that shares similar history. I mean, all of these towns have similar vibes. They all kind of have that. That spooky feeling of like, wow, something went down here, you can feel it, you can feel it in the air you like this place is magical, and sometimes in a sad way. And also sometimes in a very inspiring way, like, wow, these people really went through some stuff right here where I’m standing. And hundreds of years later, like, here I am walking around in skinny jeans, on the same cobblestone streets. So I’m still captivated by the whole magic of the entire east coast of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine. I just love it.
Rasta
Okay, so the inspiration comes from your own experiences in these types of in these towns and in these places that you enjoyed the atmosphere and you wanted to bring that to life in your writing?
Alyssa
Absolutely. I also kind of struggled a bit with the history of Salem, even as a kid, of just being like, wow, you know, like, this is fun. And everyone’s having fun and making light of the situation in light of the history. But the history was really dark. And people really struggled and lost their lives. And this whole hysteria of witches and witchcraft and satanism and all these things. But those were real people. At the end of the day, and I feel like that’s where the real story came from, like, I I wonder what those women were feeling at that time. I wonder what they could have been, if they weren’t executed in that way. I wonder what their family if they have any descendants left thinks of at all. So that’s kind of where is the Hoffman is not a which came about? To be honest.
Rasta
Okay, so the setting came from the experience of the kind of the magical feeling of these atmospheres in these places, and then being steeped in history. And then delving deeper into the history and your empathy for these people who these genuine people who were alive during these times, is what inspired the rest of the story in essence. Absolutely. Okay, but that does. That makes a lot of sense to me in terms of how you’ve written it. And I do think that you’ve taken a very interesting approach when it comes to kind of extending the bloodline down into the years with Izzy Hoffman is not a witch and go into a bit. You have a character in Izzy Hoffman is not a witch, which is the bony witch and I don’t want to give too much away. But it’s a pretty terrifying image. What exactly inspired bony the bony witch you know?
Alyssa
I always thought like, it’d be really cool to see a ghost right and on TV, usually when it’s an ancestor, they are in like a gown and they look beautiful and maybe like, how they looked here on Earth, but I think reading scary stories to tell in the dark. As a kid, in those types of images, I feel like that kind of creeped more into my mind. Like, I don’t know, if an ancestral ghost would just float around, like fluorescent and a beautiful gown. I just don’t know if that’s what it would look like. Like, let’s be real, this ghost has been through some stuff. So she, she might look, she might look a little scary. And, I mean, I liked being afraid I still kind of like being afraid. So I wanted I wanted to relive that as a kid and reading scary stories to tell in the dark reading goosebumps and having these images in my mind. Like, I just think it should, it should be scary. It shouldn’t be like, Oh, look at that cute little Nana ghost, like no, I don’t know, if that would happen, I think the image might be kind of terrifying.
Rasta
That actually makes a lot of sense to me with the way it was written is that idea of you know, of ancestors and ghosts, often being portrayed in a very kind of set fashion. And you’ve taken a very different approach with it that I do, enjoy and appreciate as well as – and it was… interesting to me, because it didn’t actually sit into my mind necessarily as an ancestral figure. Immediately because it was different. Right?
Alyssa
Because she was scary.
Rasta
Yeah, exactly.
Alyssa
I don’t know. I think if I saw a ghost of my great, great, great grandmother, I would be terrified. Yeah, for sure.
Rasta
Yeah, I can’t imagine, like, seeing an apparition and being like, Oh, wow, that’s my great, great, great grandmother. That’s yeah, interesting.
Alyssa
So beautiful.
Rasta
This gown is beautiful. Oh, my, it seems it would make more sense to especially, you know, having to exist in essentially a sort of limbo for so long. Right. Exactly. Even if they had originally been in that gown, which I think not very many people necessarily pass away that way. But that aside, you know, over time, their form probably does change.
Alyssa
Yeah, especially if they’re, whatever you want to call it, their soul, their existence is struggling, they’re struggling in the afterlife, they’re in pain. They’re not just, they’re not happy. And they’re not the type of ghost that just doesn’t know what’s going on around them. She’s very bony, which is very aware. She’s like, well, somebody listened to me.
Rasta
Yeah, I do you think that you capture that very well. And the way that the body which is character evolves in the story does kind of capture that essence, and without any spoilers, I feel like it was very well written and an enjoyable arc. And so with, you know, you mentioned that you enjoy these scary aspects and bringing in scary things into your writing and into the things that you read. And I found that even as an adult reading through is he often is not a witch, there were, you know, quite a few scary aspects, and things that evokes those horror elements. For me, even though it is a middle grade book as an adult reading it. How did you manage to write you know, something that’s scary for the middle grade as well as for their audiences? And was that something that you were thinking about while you’re writing?
Alyssa
I honestly think I was thinking about the stories that I read as a child. Which a lot of things in like the early 90s If they came out today, they would probably say it’s not appropriate for movies, books, I mean, all of that. And then if you think back to even I’m gonna say goosebumps again, because it was really I feel like my introduction to horror, it’s what I started reading at about, I don’t know seven. It was like, Okay, this is it for me. Like, I love this without saying that out loud. I knew that that was like the path I was going on. those stories never ended. Well, they never ended well, I would just close the book and be like, Okay, what happens next, like this kid just stuck with a mask on his face forever. Like what’s going on? Like, it was just never a happy ending. So now, I know another author, I don’t know if you know of ghost girl alley, Mel melon nameko. Or maybe butchering her last name, I’m sorry. But she recently said something that stuck with me. And she said that you can go as dark as you want, in children’s books, as long as you bring them back to the light. And I really loved that because it’s true. I think it is true. And, and as these defense things would get really dark, but I think it was all out of protection. In my opinion, and I don’t know, maybe a reader would think differently. But I feel like as terrifying as Bonnie, which was, she was trying to do what she thought was right, at the same time trying to get attention. Which I think a great grandmother would do. I mean, my grandmother was pretty tough. But she was pretty tough at the same time. So I guess that might that might have even inspired that a little bit as well.
Rasta
That doesn’t make a lot of sense. And I that is a agree thing to take away as the you can take them as dark as he wants it to be them back to the light. It’s nice that that that that clicked for me as something that is true, because I’ve read some books over the years, even that were meant for younger audiences that they they covered some pretty dark stuff. But there is that happy ending at the end, right. And I think even some books that aren’t necessarily considered horror, have aspects that are similar to that, because I think of you know, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Chronicles of Narnia and all those. There’s some actually seriously dark topics covered in that.
Alyssa
Very scary. I think a lot of aspects of that was very scary. I read that book so many times as a child, I didn’t even want to move on to the next books in the series because of how many times I reread. And yeah, yeah, there were parts that were very, very dark. Did it did it? Did it end? Well, I mean, I don’t know. I feel like that’s, that’s up for your personal opinion. Do you think it ended? Well, you know?
Rasta
Yeah. And so I think of these books, or anything of examples of that, that does hold true when I it’s not something I’ve actually thought about before. So that’s interesting. And I do think that Izzy Hoffman does a good job of, you know, delving into some of these darker things, but always bring it back to the light at the end. Thank you. So with Izzy Hoffman, you know those, I also really enjoyed that there are a lot of strong women in the story. And in the book. And I was wanting to ask you, is that by design? Or is it just something that fit the story? Or is it a bit of both?
Alyssa
I think it’s definitely both. Definitely both. I mean, people say like a strong woman, strong woman, like it’s a new thing. But like, let’s be real women have been strong forever since the beginning of time. Yeah, bearing so much and during so much and still coming out magical. So it’s definitely something that I thought about while writing it. Like, I want all of these generations of women to just be totally strong, like they can get through this. They can get through anything. And like you said, Without giving away too much. I mean, they they got this, they can handle this. They do need each other though. They have to they have to compromise they have to work together and they can make it you can’t do it alone, no matter how strong you are. And you shouldn’t do it alone. Right?
Rasta
Yeah. Yeah, so yeah, that’s true. You know, women have been strong, some but since women have existed pretty much. Exactly. And I do agree that like stories about women should have women who are strong because that’s just the reality. Right? I do think that you. The way that it’s written is is the optimist bottle which does have the sense of this is just who they are. It doesn’t feel contrived at all. And that’s part of why I enjoy, you know, the prison, the representation of women being strong. They do think that some stories kind of feel contrived when they do it. Like it’s a token bit. And it’s often about a, which is just, this is just how these people are going about their lives and how they function. And And with that, I think that it comes across so well, because of the way that you’ve built the world, right? These four aspects, the, the female characters in the books, and the progression and everything. All this goes back to the world building and the effort that you put in to you’re creating a world that feels real and that leaders can connect to. And so I want to ask you, how did you go about your role building process? How did the setting and everything come about for you?
Alyssa
So I mean, that’s not fair. It was so easy. I live so close to Salem mass. I live so close to Marblehead and Gloucester, Ipswich, all these coastal towns and I really could just close my eyes and think back to being there as a child or a mean, honestly, halfway through this book, I was like, I need to go to Salem, I needed a day in Salem, I need to just go and just walk around and just feel the ocean. I need to go and watch the harvest moon rise for the water. And I did that and it was just there. I’m like, I feel this. It’s so magical. And then obviously, there were so many things that were fictionalized. I mean, it is fiction at the end of the day, but the real inspiration was there the actual sense. Were there. I could smell the ocean. I could smell the cinnamon, I could smell that caramelly apples scent in the air. I could smell it all the fried food. I could smell the leaves crisping it was it was just too easy. Like I could literally just close my eyes and be there. And honestly, I feel like you kind of see that and hocus pocus. And I even use that as a comp for the setting. Like this is definitely in the hocus pocus world.
Rasta
Okay, so you use some inspiration from other literature that you’ve experienced as well as the convenience of being safer. Yeah,
Alyssa
real life, real life real memories. real experiences, I was just there. I feel like that that is me. That is my soul though. That setting is is inside me. It’s my soul.
Rasta
I am so wonderful that you’re able to take something that’s so central to you and a lot of ways right and you’re able to write a story that represents it well so that, you know, the the readers who have read the book so far had the experience of going into and coming away with that same same sense of the world. And it’s really impressive.
Alyssa
Thank you. I hope when you read it, I hope you could you could feel what I felt I hope that you could smell what I was smelling.
Rasta
Yeah, I do think that the the descriptiveness played very well for making the world feel cemented in reality. Speaking of you know reviewers and people reading the book, are you reading any of the reviews of Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch?
Alyssa
You know, I do truly feel like the reviews are for readers. They’re they’re really not for us. They’re not for the writers and not for the Creator. You write it and then you put it out there and people are gonna read it hopefully. Right. And it is what it is it’s either for them or or it wasn’t it resonated with them or it didn’t. But I’m guilty. I read a few of the reviews and I was like, mostly because a few friends online were like, Hey, I got an ark and I read this and I loved it. Check out the review and like, Oh, I’m gonna fall down that rabbit hole. Looking at the reviews and I’m not sure if I want to but of course I do. But what if they say something bad and it’s like, alright, well if you once you open that can you opened it so I did read a few reviews and I read one that wasn’t so great and it’s still you know what? It was okay, I’m like, this person. This wasn’t for them and that’s okay. But I read a few good reviews, great reviews and I literally cried I was like wow, this person understood that What I was going for and their child at that was like loving it. They want to go back to read it every night and they couldn’t wait to read it. And I was like, You know what, that’s enough for me. One 110 year old child was like, I love this book, and I can’t wait to read it. And I feel like that’s all I needed. I was on top of the world after I read that and no other reviews matter ever.
Rasta
And that’s beautiful. You can you have the anything. This is actually pretty common for a lot of other authors I’ve interviewed as well as if I can connect to one person. You know?
Alyssa
That one person that’s not my own kid because my own kids don’t want to read my stuff.
Rasta
They don’t?
Alyssa
No. Not at all. Believe it or not, my kids do not really like scary things.
Rasta
Okay. Yeah.
Alyssa
I actually I have a 12 year old and she’s like, I like stories with tragedy. I like sad stories contemporary, and I don’t want to read scary things. So she was just not interested in Izzy Hoffman. And that’s also okay, because you should read what you like to read.
Rasta
Okay, yeah, I guess I hadn’t accounted for the the possibility that, you know, your kid wouldn’t be interested in horror.
Alyssa
Yeah, you’re when your own children reject your writing. It’s like, okay, you can handle anything. Usually. Usually, people use their children as like, their guinea pigs. Like, hey, read, this isn’t a great and usually your kids are your biggest fans like, Yeah, this is great. I love this. Everyone will love this not my kids. So I have some honest reviewers here. That’s not my vibe. And I’m like, Alright, read what you like you want to read and cry? Go for it. That’s what you like.
Rasta
Yeah, I think that’s wonderful. You know, they have their own tastes that they’ve developed. And it doesn’t quite match necessarily what you’re writing. Absolutely. And so with that connection with, you know, these, some of these positive reviews and everything, and receiving that feedback. How do you feel about how well your work is being received in the idea of, you know, building a fan base?
Alyssa
Honestly, I have never thought about that. I’ve never thought about a fan base. I’ve never thought about people actually being fans. It sounds just so foreign to me. But I mean, that would be amazing.
Rasta
Yeah, you the 10 year old, that review that wants to read the book. I think this probably a fan writing.
Alyssa
That’s true. I don’t know, I guess it’s unbelievable. It’s unbelievable. Like I said, I literally cried like, wow, this person loved it. That’s like all I needed.
Rasta
And so with that, you know, the the building of receiving reviews, and the positive reception and everything, our friends and family, you know, reading the reviews or checking it out and giving you feedback or, or sharing positivity, what’s your experience with therapy around you?
Alyssa
Um, so my friends and family are extremely supportive. So I’m very lucky. I’m very lucky with that. My family is like, Hey, don’t read the reviews. Like, there are so many people in this world and everyone has an opinion, just don’t read their reviews. That’s, that’s silly. So I have I have them to keep me at bay, like, Hey, don’t read the reviews. And I’m like, Yeah, you’re right, you’re right. Not gonna read them. A few writer friends out there, gave amazing feedback and really, really nice reviews. So I’m lucky with that as well. The writing community is super supportive, I found a really, really great community on Twitter, or x or whatever we’re calling it now. I really don’t know where I would be without that support. So, I mean, everyone’s just been great.
Rasta
It’s wonderful. I’m glad that you have a community that support is supportive and so positive. And I’ve heard from other horror writers as well, the horror writing community on Twitter or x, or, as you said, whatever it might be called, by the time this interview with this interview comes out for everybody because who knows, it might change in a few days, right?
Alyssa
It might not even exist, but it was a great place for me. A lot of people experiences there. I’ve had just the best experience there. I only connect with writers there in the kidlit community not even necessarily for just like the Qibla community in general. Everyone’s so supportive and It’s just so uplifting to each other. And I really, I don’t know, if I would be here right now with a published book if it weren’t for them. So I’m extremely grateful for that.
Rasta
It’s wonderful that you’ve been able to find support. And that’s helped you to, you know, have the confidence to put your writing out there. And I think that it’s great that that’s happened, because personally, I enjoy your writing. And I know other people here somewhere off do and there are readers out there who are also enjoying it, that I’ve experienced the advanced reader copies. And I’m sure that once it comes out this upcoming Tuesday that there’ll be even more fans of Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch.
Alyssa
Yay, I hope so.
Rasta
And so with that, you know, Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch is going out there. It’s being it’s going to be released this upcoming Tuesday for everybody to purchase. But it’s also going into libraries. So how does it feel to know that your book will be listed in the US Library of Congress?
Alyssa
Oh, my gosh, I think that is the top thing for me, really, because if it weren’t for the library, as a kid, I probably wouldn’t have any books. I didn’t, I wasn’t one of those kids that just got to go nuts at the book fair and just buy a bunch of books. I needed the library, if I didn’t have the library, I don’t know what I’d be doing after school. It’s kind of where I hung out after school. And I could just kind of skim through for probably like, a half hour. But that felt like hours to me as a child. Going through and picking out what I want to read and having access to books without having to ask your parents from money. I mean, so to be able to have Izzy in the library is like I can’t even explain it. It’s a dream come true. Seriously, I know that might sound a little cliche or cheesy, but I spent a lot of time in the library. And like I said, that’s how I access books as a kid. So I’m, I’m so happy about it.
Rasta
I don’t I don’t think it’s a cliche at all, I think that that’s a real thing, you know, you your experience and your exposure to books and this entire, you know, aspect of the world right of writing. And everything comes from your experience in libraries. And so knowing that your book will be one of the books on the shelf or another kid to you know, go to the library and discover the world of writing as well, is a wonderful thing.
Alyssa
Absolutely, I definitely I look forward to doing library events, too. I have such a good relationship with the librarians in my neighborhood, because like I said, I mean it basically live at the library. So I’m just excited that someone will be able to go and check it out and borrow it, read it and love it and then give it back and let another kid take it out and read it and love it. So I’m excited for that.
Rasta
Yeah. So Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch is coming out this upcoming Tuesday is going to the Library of Congress, right? All these things are happening. What do you hope happens next?
Alyssa
I hope I can stay focused and stay motivated to keep writing and keep putting out more work.
Rasta
Then I think from what you said earlier that you do have the inspiration going forward for more ideas that I’m sure you have plenty already that you have in mind.
Alyssa
So many so many Rasta.
Rasta
And so when I open that with all these ideas and everything are you aiming for writing to be your career?
Alyssa
I am I am. I’m actually writing full time right now. And hopefully I can make it work long term. Yeah.
Rasta
And do you have any other books that you’re writing or wanting to publish or some other works that you’re putting out there at the moment?
Alyssa
So this coming winter, there should be some adult short stories out there. I’m not sure if I can say anything else about that right now. But I will definitely keep that updated on social media as it approaches. And right now I’m working on a why a vampire slayer story. Keeping it in the world of witches and vampires, of course. And I’m feeling pretty good about it. So you know, maybe in a year or two from now… you can check that out.
Rasta
Wonderful so it sounds like you’ve got quite a few projects already you know lined up for the future and that you’re working on and so fans of yours will be able to check those out once they come out. Oh yeah, I hope so. And so going back to Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch, I want to ask you a bit more about it. You know, there’s the idea of books finding success and then you know becoming popular enough for a TV series or movie or things like that going on to the screen Do you have if you were to imagine is the open is not a witch finding success. Do you think it would make a better TV series or a better movie?
Alyssa
I think it would make a great Disney Channel movie honestly. That’s that’s what I would see like that Friday night original movie comes on.
Alyssa
I think it would make a better movie only because there’s there’s closure at the end.
Rasta
So for you, you imagine it’s a one and done a very I do agree that the story does have a nice closing an ending to it. That makes a suited for a movie with that Do you have any idea of someone that you want to cast for any of the roles or anything like that any actors actresses? Oh.
Alyssa
So there is someone in mind I think the perfect Izzy would be the girl who plays Bean in Netflix’s Ivy and Bean.
Rasta
Okay, I don’t actually know who that is.
Alyssa
I can think about her name… Madison Skye. Her name is Madison Skye and she will just make the perfect Izzy. Her character in Ivy and Bean is she’s a little wild. So she kind of has a smart mouth. Really curly hair and just so cute. But you can definitely see her stepping into like a stronger role. Like, hey, I’m a little bit awkward and shy but at the same time, I’m going to tell you what I need to tell you. I think yeah, I think she would be perfect.
Rasta
It does sound like a good fit with be able to capture Izzy’s personality and everything. And so following up on that with the idea of Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch, you know, getting all this popularity and having the support for a movie to be released? What level of creative control do you think you’d want over that process?
Alyssa
Hmm, I think it would depend, it would depend on the level definitely like, do you want to change the title? I guess that’s okay. Hopefully it’s better. But do you want to change how strong these characters are, then? Absolutely not. So I guess, I guess I would want control I mean, it’s in my personality.
Rasta
So it sounds to me like your your main focus, though, with that control is more about keeping the core identity of the story intact and identity of the characters intact.
Alyssa
Exactly. Small details. Fine. minor details. I mean, even that is up from interpretation what you consider minor, but like I said the title? Okay. That’d be fine. Is his name. Oh, I don’t know. But the characters have to be there. Barney woods. She has to be terrifying. If she’s not terrifying, then. Absolutely not.
Rasta
Yeah, that makes sense. You know, this is a central part of how the story flows.
Alyssa
Exactly. Like actually, we’re going to set this on the West Coast. I feel like now. Yeah,
Rasta
I think that’d be That’d make me uncomfortable to someone was like, you know, the story that you did, we’re just going to change the setting. We’re just gonna completely swap that out. We’re gonna change this character’s personality. And it’s like, this is no, you’re just removing my story.
Alyssa
Yeah, I mean, I heard that it could be like that, huh? I heard it like that sometimes. And I was recently at a horror event where about four different authors got on a panel and one was saying that they struggled with the sale and contract of a book they recently written, where they wanted to keep the character. And basically, that was it was like, Oh, what are they buying? I don’t I don’t get it. They wanted to change the name. They wanted to change the plot. I was like, Oh, okay. So I didn’t know that was a thing. I didn’t know changing the entire plot was possible. But from that discussion, I think it is. Yeah, I do.
Rasta
Like I do imagine that there’s some creative, you know, changes that have to meet to adjust things for the big screen, right. But there has to be a line somewhere in there for how far you go before it’s no longer the story.
Alyssa
Yeah, agreed.
Rasta
And so let’s imagine then, you know, you’ve gone through that process, and they’ve, you’ve had the creative control over and is the alchemist, not a witch is going on to the big screen? Would you want to go to the mirror? And if you did, who would you take with you
Alyssa
would definitely show up to that premiere? With my family. Even though my kids hate scary stuff, I’d be like, No, this this scary movie, you’re walking, doing this? That’s your family, my 12 year old daughter would definitely be there, my husband would be there. And my kids would be there. Like you’re you’re watching this, this is when you can sit through?
Rasta
That makes sense. I do think, you know, that they’ll probably be excited to for you as well. Right. You know, that’s your story on onto the as a movie. So even if they’re not necessarily as interested in the story itself, because Ooh, scary. I think that still be exciting for them. Right?
Alyssa
I could picture them totally complaining the whole time. And just like, making sure they have popcorn. I would just be like riding the wave of total euphoria. And just be like, Yeah, sure. Get all the junk you want. Have all the popcorn you want? And I would just be totally happy. It’d be fine.
Rasta
Yeah. So let’s, you know, with Premiere and with the movie and everything that does come with a certain level of popularity, right? And a certain level theme with it. So I want to talk with you a little bit and ask you when it comes to fame. Are you wanting to become a famous author? Or you want to be well known? Like, let’s say Stephen King level? Or what level of fame would you want? If you were to become famous?
Alyssa
Oh, Stephen King money? Yes. Absolutely. The fame that comes along with it and not being able to go get a coffee where you want. I mean, probably not. Honestly. I think that I think I would feel uncomfortable. To be honest, I don’t think I would want all that. I want to put out stories and be like, you know, as famous as like, social media famous, not like real famous. I think that’s if that makes sense. I don’t know. I don’t think I could handle that. I feel like I would probably disappoint some people like wow, that person was really awkward. It’s not what it’d be like, yeah, hey, that’s just me. I don’t know. I don’t think I could do it. Although how many people would recognize Stephen King? If they saw him?
Rasta
Yeah. I don’t actually know how many people would necessarily recognize Stephen King. But if we imagine then for you, with success, I’m guessing you’d prefer the case where people might recognize your name, right? They’d be like, oh, yeah, I know. Alissa’s work is amazing, big fan. But then you walk by on the street and they have no idea. That’s you.
Alyssa
Absolutely. That sounds ideal. That’s ideal. Yeah.
Rasta
So you’d like to be successful. You’d like to have your writing, you know, connect with a lot of people, but you don’t want necessarily to lose your day to day privacy.
Alyssa
Exactly, exactly that the way I go out of the house No way.
Rasta
That makes a lot of sense to me, I, I kind of feel the same way. And it’d be great if people connect with what I do and everything but getting stopped in the street for it… I kind of just want to be able to exist and kind of have my own vibe without being interrupted every now.
Alyssa
Yeah, I feel like we’re judged enough like through social media and stuff. I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t ever want the life of a celebrity where you go outside in sweatpants, and people are like taking pictures of you and judging you for your choice and what you decided to put on that day? No way. But the connection with readers? Absolutely. I would love that.
Rasta
It makes a lot of sense. And so, with that, let’s Alisa, I’d like to thank you for talking with me today and being on the rightest triangle. It’s been wonderful conversation with you.
Alyssa
Thank you. It’s been totally relaxing with you like a friend that I’ve known my whole life.
Rasta
Thank you. I’m glad that we were able to connect and have this conversation and thank you to all of our beautiful moths for listening. Be sure to buy Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch coming out the fifth of September 2023. And, Alyssa, can you tell everybody where they can find you on social media?
Alyssa
Sure, I tried to keep it easy. You can find me on Twitter or x at Alyssa Alessi. On other social media platforms, however, I’m PagesInTheGraveyard.
Alyssa
So that goes Instagram for Tiktok… Threads. I think that’s as far as I go for right now.
Rasta
Okay. And so everybody’s listening, be sure to visit cinnabar moth.com, where you can check out the transcript and we’ll also have the links to Alyssa social media. And once again, Alyssa, thank you for coming on and talking to me today.
Alyssa
Thank you so much. It’s been so great.
Rasta
It’s been a pleasure and for everybody listening, bye bye.