Author Name: Neely Tubati Alexander

Book Title: LOVE BUZZ

Book Genre: Commercial Fiction with Romcom feels

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Welcome, Neely! How would you describe LOVE BUZZ?

When a chance romantic encounter during a raucous Mardi Gras bachelorette party is cut short, Serena Khan goes on a quest to find Julian, the guy from Bourbon Street, leveraging the few clues she knows about him from their brief but compelling encounter. 

What sparked the idea for this book?

I have always loved the movie Serendipity with Kate Beckinsdale and John Cusack. Particularly, I was drawn to the idea of whether love at first sight exists. I wanted to explore that type of immediate connection and how far we might go to explore it. 

What drew you to writing a romcom?

I wrote this book in 2021, when the world felt particularly heavy. More and more, I was escaping into the pages of warm, funny love stories. It seems many of us are looking for comforting stories we can escape into with a smile. I wanted to provide that same few hours of warmth to readers.

What’s your favorite part about writing/being an author? What do you find challenging?

I love the opportunity to share my creative outlet with the world. It’s so hard to get people’s attention nowadays. Knowing someone out there might pick up my book and spend a few hours in a world of my creation – that is pretty incredible! What’s challenging is how much of the process is out of your control. Reviews, readership, etc. can all be hit or miss. And for someone who thrives when I have control, this whole process has been a lesson in letting go.

If you were speaking to someone who hasn’t read your writing before, why should they want to read LOVE BUZZ?

One of the editors we submitted LOVE BUZZ to called it “the warm heart-hug we all seem to need right now,” and that has always stayed with me. I set out to write the book I would want to read: a fun, witty, romantic escape. I hope readers will say I’ve done so! I like to think it’s for fans of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren and Rebecca Serle.

What about the writing/editing/publishing process has been the most surprising to you so far?

It has been fascinating seeing the behind-the-scenes of the production process. How many different people there are involved in getting a book published. Editors, designers, copy editors, marketing, publicity…it truly is an incredible machine. And seeing it firsthand, I realize why it takes a year or longer to get a book off the ground. That, and how hard editors work. They do so much more than simply provide editorial notes. Not only are they the first advocate for your work, but they also shepherd you through the entire process from start to finish. Shoutout to my incredible editor, Micaela Carr at Harper Perennial!

Any words of wisdom you give your pre-published writer self (or to a new writer)?

Don’t give up. I know it’s cliché, but publishing really is built for those who are willing to play the long game. Things don’t often come easily or quickly in this world, but if you are willing to go farther down the path than most, that’s where the gold is. And EVERY author has faced rejection in their career. Find me one who hasn’t. The only differences between them and someone who is still working toward their goals are time and resilience. They are not better writers than you, they are just further along.  

Are you working on a new project? Please tell us about it.

Yes! My second book, IF THE WORLD WAS ENDING, is also coming out via Harper Perennial in 2024! We are in the early production process, and I am editing book #3.

Where can readers find you?

Most of my book updates are on Instagram: @neelyalexanderwrites, but you can also find me at www.neelytubatialexander.com, neelytubatialexander on FB, @NeelyTAlexander on Twitter and @neelyalexander on Hive. 

Thank you, Neely! Love Buzz releases on May 2 and is available for pre-order.

Love Buzz