Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written probably a dozen books, with a million more in the works! However, so far six of them are published. I’ve been writing since college. I used to write a lot of poetry and even have a degree in poetry!! However I love to bring together all my passions: health, environment, self improvement, creativity and holistic world view 🙂 Usually I can only get a few into one book, but I’m trying to figure out to try to get all those into one topic!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is Kitchen Magic, and it was written in a fury of inspiration while on a writing retreat in gorgeous Point Reyes Station. I was at Mesa Refuge, which is a space for writers to explore topics of the environment and social justice. My book was not what I planned to write while there, and it’s a lighter touch than what many others have written there, but I feel it does reach the goals of the program by helping people do so on a personal level…plus it’s SUPER FUN! It’s recipes and healthy living 101 while just playing in the kitchen!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure I have any particular habits of note. However, I’m MUCH better at starting projects (writing among others) than I am at finishing them. Sometimes I will have projects half finished for YEARS… including Kitchen Magic. Heck, sometimes it takes me years to finish a book! But I usually do come back around at some point!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Michael Pollan, who was also a resident at Mesa Refuge. I also love Anne of Green Gables. And I love a ton of teen fiction. And I’ve read a bunch of the Sears family books on health. There are just so many books I love, this is a hard question to answer!
What are you working on now?
I have a project on how taking care of our health will actually make us money, and how we need to care for our physical body and eat nourishing food to be more successful.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I actually do a ton of talking about my book to my family and friends. I am really good at keeping in touch, so I just let them know when it comes out. This works for broad interest books. I also have an email list that will buy my books. Social media I use facebook, and if I keep it playful it seems to do better than just hounding people about the books 🙂
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a support person or hire help (people to read, edit, etc). It can be lonely to write, and you need help to get through the hard parts. And then just try to write what you and inspired to write!!!!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Best advice I’ve ever heard is: Good or bad, it’s all a phase.
That was parenting advice, but I find it applies to my entire life.
What are you reading now?
Persephone rising, Becoming, Broken Open, Radical Forgiveness, and some others I can’t remember.
What’s next for you as a writer?
That’s a loaded question! I have so many ideas!!! I want to keep writing journals, and I want to start writing journals that go hand in hand with books.
What is your favorite book of all time?
What? I don’t have one! Who can choose just one? Seriously, that’s not right. The book I’ve maybe read the most number of times is Brighty of the Grand Canyon. It’s about a donkey and always makes me cry.
Author Websites and Profiles
Alegra Loewenstein Website
Alegra Loewenstein Amazon Profile
Alegra Loewenstein’s Social Media Links
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