Vanessa Riley

About Vanessa Riley

I love History, Romance, the Regency, Food, Family, Faith and Friends.

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Vanessa Riley is an acclaimed author known for captivating novels such as Island Queen, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, and Queen of Exiles, an ABC View Lit Pick. She was honored as the 2023 Georgia Literary Fiction Author of the Year for Sister Mother Warrior. Her craft highlights hidden narratives of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods, diverse communities, and power across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. Her works have received praise from esteemed publications like the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publisher Weekly, and the New York Times.
 
Beyond her literary achievements, Vanessa holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, adding a research-oriented approach that emphasizes inclusivity in her storytelling about Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency eras, resulting in over twenty-five published titles.
 
As a member of Regency Fiction Writers, Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America, Women's Fiction Writers Association, Christian Book Lovers Retreat, and the Historical Novel Society, Vanessa advocates for diverse voices and storytelling. She's also working to increase Sickle Cell Anemia awareness. When not writing, she can be found baking, crafting her Trinidadian grandma's recipes, and writing on her southern porch, fueled by the perfect amount of caffeine.
 
Sarah Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency represents Vanessa. 

Standing: Tessa Dare, Sabrina Jeffries, Vanessa Riley, Scarlett Peckham, Sarah Maclean

Seated: Julia London, Ursula Renee

 

Vanessa practicing for Good Morning America with Island Queen.

Workshops & Events

Dr. Vanessa Riley loves to interact with readers, romance and history buffs, fellow writers, and people on a journey to find their second act. Keynotes, lectures, workshops, and corporate chats--Vanessa is a gifted speaker and has presented to large audiences in auditoriums as well as intimate zoom chats.

Invite her to speak on the following topics:

  • Changing Perspectives of a Woman's Place and Power in History
  • Claiming Your Story - How to Journal to Write the Book of Your Heart
  • The Writer's Journey: Seven Things I Wish I Knew at the Beginning
  • The Hybrid Author's Path: Traditional Publishing and Independent Publishing, The Five things to know to Design Your Path
  • Using History and Fiction to Change Corporate Culture
  • Using Historical Fiction to Grow Organizational Empathy
  • Pushing Past the Patriarchy to Empower Women: Four Key Steps that Everyone of Influence Must Know to Inact Change
  • Cinderella has a Voice and Gets Her Fellow Even in the 1800s: Tools to Re-examine What We Think We Know About History
  • Faith, Forgiveness, and Forging Your Own Path: Five Steps to Take to Build Your Better Future
  • The Rich Caribbean Regency: Understanding the History of the West Indies in the Context of Freedom and Geopolitical Politics
  • The Five Tools Every Armchair Historian Needs when Writing and Researching

 

Contact her to Invite Vanessa to present a Workshop

View her Current Tour/ Event Schedule

Vanessa often Zooms from her desk.

More Fun Facts on Vanessa

Vanessa juggles mothering a teen, cooking for her military-man husband, and speaking at women's and STEM events. She's known for her love of romantic gestures, hidden histories, and humorous delivery of poignant truths. You can catch her writing from the comfort of her southern porch with a cup of Earl Grey tea.

Vanessa loves to write at night and research during the day. Weekends are for reading.

Learn More About Her Novels Past Events & Workshop