Melissa Simone on Flipping Vampire Lore, Indie Craft, and Book Cons

With vampire romance surging in popularity, how do you take a classic paranormal creature and flip the rulebook completely on its head? Today, I am joined by North Carolina romance author and event host Melissa Simone to break down her unique paranormal universe. We discuss her novel The Vampire Reversal, where a 400-year-old vampire actively seeks a way out of immortality through genuine, uncompelled human connection. We also get into her writing journey from early poetry to indie romance, how her entire family became her ride-or-die promotional entourage at book events, and what it really takes to build inclusive, author-focused book conventions like Temptation in the Triangle and Write Me Romance and Fantasy Book Con. Melissa Simone has always enjoyed reading and writing since childhood. Her passion for books and happy endings inspired her to write and publish her own love stories with smut and happy endings as a requirement. Aside from being an independent author, she is a wife, a mother of 4, a US Army Veteran, and a Nurse. Melissa identifies as free-spirit with a hippie heart, and a butterfly soul.  In this episode, we're discussing: Melissa’s early start writing poetry and childhood stories before diving into romance novels. How Amanda Hocking’s self-publishing path inspired her to launch her work through Kindle Direct Publishing. Balancing family, nursing, and creative writing through mental compartmentalization. Telling her family she writes explicit romance and having them become her ultimate hype squad at signings. Flipping the vampire script in The Vampire Reversal: sunlight tolerance, lack of weaknesses, and the pursuit of a human mortality elixir. What readers can expect from book two in the Vampire Reversal series. The behind-the-scenes realities of co-hosting Temptation in the Triangle in Cary, North Carolina. Creating Write Me Romance and Fantasy Book Con in Fayetteville to honor her late sister, Jasmine. Practical advice for planning author events, from cash flow and Square to reader accessibility and vendor hospitality. CONNECT WITH MELISSA SIMONE: Instagram Event Website BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: The Vampire Reversal by Melissa Simone Significance of Love, Sacrifices, and Secrets by Melissa Simone Letters, Quotes, and Poetry, Et cetera by Melissa Simone Join the We Read Smut Lounge. Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes.  Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned (Doc) This podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.