About Amalie

SHORT BIO: AMALIE HOWARD is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Always Be My Duchess was one of Cosmopolitan’s 30 Best Romance Books of 2022 and The Beast of Beswick was one of Oprah Daily’s 24 Best Historical Romance Novels to Read. She is also the author of several award-winning young adult novels. Her recent YA release Queen Bee was called “A true diamond of the first water” by ALA Booklist. Her books have been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, and Seventeen Magazine. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading, being the president of her one-woman Harley Davidson motorcycle club, or power-napping. She lives in Colorado with her family.

LONG BIO: AMALIE HOWARD was born in Trinidad & Tobago where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees, and dreaming of travel and adventure. 27 countries later, she has traded in scuba-diving with barracudas in St. Lucia, white-water rafting in Bali, and bungee-jumping in Macau for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.

An aspiring writer from a young age, Amalie’s poem “The Candle,” written at age twelve, was published by the University of Warwick press. At fifteen, she received a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay honorable mention award for her short story about an old man, a tree, and a violin, among thousands of international submissions. She received distinctions in English Literature, French, and General Paper (University of Cambridge A-levels) at St. Augustine Girls’ High School in Trinidad, ranking second in the entire country for Modern Studies. She also sang in the school choir, participated in the steel pan orchestra, and played four varsity sports as well as studied with the Caribbean School of Dancing for ballet and modern dance and the Trinity College of Music for piano.

In Maine, at Colby College, she completed dual honors theses for her Bachelor of Arts degree in French and International Studies with double concentrations in Economics and Western European History, graduating with Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors. At Colby, she was cited for her research contribution to Professor Raffael Scheck’s article, “German Conservatism and Female Political Activism in the Early Weimar Republic,” and his subsequent book. While at college, she sang with the Colby College Chorale, played Junior Varsity Soccer, was part of the Colby Fencing Team, and stood on the Colby College Judicial Board.

She also received a post-graduate certificate toward a Maîtrise in French Literature from the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, France, centering her independent thesis study on female agency and desire in the works of 16th century feminist French poet, Louise Labé.

Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, account executive, branch manager, and global channel sales director on Wall Street for Fortune 500 companies.

She is the bestselling, award-winning author of several novels critically acclaimed by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, Booklist, and VOYA. Her books have been a USA Today bestseller, a Publishers Weekly bestseller, a Kid’s INDIE NEXT selection, a national IPPY silver medalist, and a Children’s Moonbeam award winner. They have also received multiple starred trade reviews and been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Oprah Daily, Fangirlish, BookPage Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine. As an author of color and a proud advocate of inclusivity in fiction, her interviews and articles on multicultural fiction have been featured in The Colorado Sun, Entertainment Weekly, and Ravishly Magazine. Of multiracial descent, she grew up in the West Indies but currently lives in Colorado with her family.


FUN FACTS ABOUT AMALIE

Travel, Skydiving, Motorcycles, oh my!

1. She has traveled to 183 cities in 27 countries.

2. She did ballet, piano, soccer, cricket, swimming, netball, field hockey, choir, and the steel pan orchestra in high school all while maintaining an A average.

3. She bungee-jumped 765 feet off of the Macau Tower in China.

Amalie Mid-Bungee Jump Macau Tower

Amalie Mid-Bungee Jump Macau Tower

4. She’s a Padi-certified deep-water scuba diver.

5. She entered and won a beauty pageant when she was 16.

Amalie Divali Queen

Amalie Diwali Queen at 16

6. She attended a Halloween Party at the Playboy Mansion.

7. She jumped out of a plane at 12,500 feet.

SkyDiving

Amalie Sky Diving 2016

8. She once surfed near Phillip Island, Australia, and a 20-foot great white shark was spotted in the exact same area the next day.

9. She fenced competitively in college.

10. She rides a Harley Davidson “Nightster” motorcycle.

Amalie Harley

Amalie and her Harley Sportster


ABOUT THE BOOKS

How many books have you written and when were they published?

ADULT HISTORICAL ROMANCE TITLES

ANY DUKE IN A STORM, Sourcebooks Casablanca, January 2024

NEVER MET A DUKE LIKE YOU, Grand Central Forever, October 2023

PRIDE NOT PREJUDICE, a charity anthology, Oliver-Heber Books, June 2023

THE DUKE IN QUESTION, Sourcebooks Casablanca, November 2022

ALWAYS BE MY DUCHESS, Grand Central Forever, July 2022

THE WOLF OF WESTMORE, Big Duke Energy Anthology, March 2022 & Sunflower Season Charity Anthology, June 2022

RULES FOR HEIRESSES, Sourcebooks Casablanca, October 2021

THE PRINCESS STAKES, Sourcebooks Casablanca, June 2021

THE RAKEHELL OF ROTH, Entangled Publishing, February 2021

THE BEAST OF BESWICK, Entangled Publishing, November 2019

WHAT A SCOT WANTS, Entangled Publishing, August 2019

A LORD FOR THE LASS, Entangled Publishing, November 2018

SWEET HOME HIGHLANDER, Entangled Publishing, Spring 2018

MY SCOT, MY SURRENDER, Entangled Publishing, Fall 2017

MY HELLION, MY HEART, Entangled Publishing, Summer 2017

MY DARLING, MY DISASTER, Entangled Publishing, Spring 2017

MY ROGUE, MY RUIN, Entangled Publishing, October 2016

YOUNG ADULT TITLES

QUEEN BEE, Joy Revolution, Penguin Random House, February 2023

DARK GODDESS (Alpha Goddess, Book 2), Sky Pony Press, Spring 2018

BLOODBOUND (The Cruentus Curse series, novella, Book 3), RAH Media, February 2017

THE FALLEN PRINCE (The Riven Chronicles, Book 2), Sky Pony Press, April 2016

THE ALMOST GIRL (The Riven Chronicles), 2nd edition, Sky Pony Press, March, 2016

BLOODCRAFT (The Cruentus Curse series, Book 2), RAH Media, December 2015

SEAMONSTER: an Aquarathi novella (The Aquarathi), RAH Media, June 2014

OCEANBORN (The Aquarathi), Harlequin TEEN, August 2014

ALPHA GODDESS, Sky Pony Press, March, 2014

THE ALMOST GIRL, Strange Chemistry, 1st edition, January, 2014

WATERFELL (The Aquarathi), Harlequin TEEN, October, 2013

BLOODSPELL (The Cruentus Curse series), RAH Media, June 2011

MIDDLE GRADE TITLES

BUMPS IN THE NIGHT, Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House, February 2024

What can readers expect from your books?

Readers can expect multi-layered, inclusive stories, whether that’s across an ocean or beneath it, or in a parallel universe, or in a different era. In my novels, my characters face a range of conflicts like love, friendship, found family, loss, adversity, being true to who you are, and advocating for yourself. Most of all, I hope that my stories make my readers feel seen and valued, or make them think about things in a different way. I believe in Happy Ever After FOR ALL because love makes space for everyone.

Do you have a favorite character?

Like my children, I love them all the same. Truth.

ABOUT ME

Where are you from?

I grew up in Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean. My background is a racial mix of Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, and French Creole. On a side note, I married an Australian man who is three quarters Scot and one quarter English so our kids are Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, French Creole, Scottish, English, Trinidadian, Australian Americans! Holy salad dish, Batman.

Are you on Facebook, IG, Twitter, or TikTok?

Yes, you can find me on all! Click on the “Connect With Me” icons on the right side of this page.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to travel the world, which I have. And I wanted to write, which I’m doing.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I read, and I indulge my love for good food. I also enjoy ocean surfing or any outdoor sports, kick-boxing, and going to the movies. I also like spending time with my family.

What scares you?

Ghosts and clowns. They freak me out. If a ghost-clown haunted me, I would probably pee my pants.

ABOUT YOU

Where can I get a signed copy of your books?

Check out my Events page and see if I’ll be visiting a town near you!

Can I interview you for my website/blog?

I’m happy to do interviews as long as I am not on a deadline! Thank you for thinking of me. Check the Press Page for details on how to contact me with requests.

Can you introduce me to your agent or ask her to read my manuscript?
Can you read my story/novel/manuscript?

I wish I could but can’t for legal reasons. However, I do wish you all the success in the world with your writing! Here are some helpful recommendations that I wrote, which got me going in the right direction:

So your WIP is done, what’s next?

Editing your manuscript – suggested reading

Make your literary agent list

Write a killer query letter: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Query submission to literary agents

Querying literary agents – do not give up

Selecting an agent

What a Literary Agent Does and Why It Matters

The truth about writer’s conferences

Literary Publicity & Promotion

A Crash Course on Rejection

ABOUT WRITING

What made you fall in love with writing or want to be a writer?

I loved being able to create other worlds with interesting characters and being able to redefine myself in those characters. It was and still is a form of mental and emotional escapism for me.

Stephen King once said, “Books are a unique portable magic,” and I wanted to create a bit of magic of my own. I wanted to write the kind of story that weaves a spell around you and causes you to turn page after page huddled under the covers at three in the morning, that makes you not just fall in love, but keeps you in hooked through its entire journey, and one that when you finally get through it (at six in the morning and late for work), you’d say, “that was phenomenal!” The story that hit that spot, you know: the one where you get the tingles on your arms and you speed read because you can’t bear to wait another second to discover what happens next. And then you stop and go back because you know you’re cheating yourself, and you force yourself to slow down, reread it, enjoy it…love it. I wanted to write one of those books.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I am capable of writing with a house full of screaming children.

What do you need in order to get inspired and kick yourself into the mood to write?

Music, hands down. I create playlists as I’m writing each novel, which really helps to get the energy flowing.

What do you think makes good writing?

For me, that comes from a combination of things: unique voice, interesting plot, immersive world-building, smart pacing, interesting characters, and a great hook. Remember, however, that even though an idea might not always be original, your voice is. So don’t be daunted if there’s a similar concept out there. Your story told by YOU will make all the difference. And if you’re from a marginalized community, the world absolutely needs your stories.

What is the hardest part of writing?

Letting the book go after it’s published. Then it belongs to the readers.

How did you deal with rejection letters?

I cried like a baby. I threw some cushions. I ate some cupcakes. I felt better. And then I submitted five more queries (after, of course, incorporating any constructive feedback). Never give up, never surrender. Galaxy Quest, if you’re wondering.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Believe in yourself and your work, and never give up. This business is so subjective, and traditional publication depends on many factors … opportunity meeting talent with a hefty sprinkle of luck. Your time will come. Keep improving your craft. Keep writing. Keep the passion alive. Above all, don’t take no for an answer in terms of whether you “are good enough” to get agented or published. Carve your own path and make your own mark. There are many different, lucrative avenues to publication. Someone else doesn’t get to decide whether you’re good enough … you do.

A Few Do’s and Don’ts (and these are all 100% optional):

Do polish your manuscript.

Do read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.

Do read 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE by T. Taylor.

Do join a critique group (most writing organizations will have them) or form your own.

Do research for submissions to agents in your genre (word count, query letters, etiquette, etc. as well as sales track record and reputation of the agency) if you choose to find an agent for traditional publishing. In this scenario, money should always flow TO the author.

Do hire reputable cover designers, editors, formatters, and/or proof-readers if you choose the route of independent publishing. And don’t be afraid to get referrals. Word-of-mouth is a great tool.

Do create a social media platform to build your brand if so inclined (website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok), but don’t get bogged down by socials. Your mental health is important so maintain your boundaries. Suzanne Collins is very successful and has zero social media presence.

Don’t get discouraged by rejections—they’re a part of the process. Keep your head up, use constructive feedback and try again.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, especially in reader and writer groups. Most authors are very chill and are happy to share their experiences.

Don’t give up. If this is what you love to do and want to do, stay your course. IT WILL HAPPEN.

Don’t listen to negative voices, externally or internally. You’ve got this.

FAVORITES

Favorite Quotes?

Everything you can imagine is real, Pablo Picasso. Fear is the mind-killer, Frank Herbert, Dune. Never give up. Never surrender, Commander Taggart, Galaxy Quest

Favorite Movies?

Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Fifth Element, Aliens, Fight Club, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Top Gun Maverick

Favorite Books?

Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Anne of Green Gables, Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Go Ask Alice, Tuesdays with Morrie, Queen of the Damned, Wide Sargasso Sea, The Count of Monte Cristo, Pride and Prejudice, Girl Interrupted, Fire, Hunger Games

Favorite Authors?

Anne Rice, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, Lisa Kleypas, George R.R. Martin, Ilona Andrews

Favorite Poems?

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, Self Pity by D.H. Lawrence


MOST EPIC MOMENT EVER AS AN AUTHOR?

Meeting some of my authorly inspirations and pop culture idols!

Amalie Howard and Anne Rice

Terry Brooks and Amalie Howard

Terry Brooks and Amalie Howard

Ian Somerhalder and Amalie Howard

Ian Somerhalder and Amalie Howard

Stan Lee and Amalie Howard

Stan Lee and Amalie Howard

Jason Momoa and Amalie Howard