Alice Kellen rejects the labels her books have worn on shelves, yet she remains the best-selling reader in Spain for 2022. The Valencia native radiates simplicity and naturalness, much like her novels that center on daily life, love, connections, and sentiments. In March, Planet published Where Everything Shines, a story about Nicki and River and the town’s secondary characters who endure a chilly seaside atmosphere.
Its publishing pace is striking because in November she released The Theory of Archipelago and in March Where Everything Shines appeared. Is this speed a product of your writing routine or do you simply write a lot?
The truth is deceiving. The November title was written two years earlier and is concise. Now she targets one novel per year, with a spread of about a year and a half between projects, leaving space for each book to breathe. If she had her way, she would rise each day and spend five to six hours at the computer; writing is her favorite activity.
How does she plan to proceed now?
Her approach is structured: first comes a promotional phase with a tour, interviews, and social media activity, then from October the creative phase begins. She locks herself away at home, avoids the media noise, and sets strict boundaries because offers always arrive. Those months are dedicated to writing, with less attention to the outside world.
Does she isolate herself to write?
She divides the year into two parts: the launch and the writing phase. She understands that the book needs defense once it’s out, but that pause is essential for the next work to come through.
What does the latest book reveal about Alice Kellen’s radiance?
She finds light in people, in emotions, love, friendship, and memories, including childhood. She notices what we overlook as we grow up, like the glow of the sea or the dust that drifts by a window — a moment to pause and reflect on its meaning.
Is the book more ensemble-driven than her previous works?
Yes. She often dislikes secondary roles, but this time she gave the supporting cast a chorus-like presence, letting different voices weigh in and reveal the heroes’ journeys through the perspectives of family, neighbors, or even a passing observer, offering a broader vision of events.
Do two people rarely stay on separate paths and later reunite, as with Nicki and River?
Sometimes that happens. Childhood friends diverge during adolescence and maturity, yet paths cross again, and relationships can continue in surprising ways once people reconnect and reengage.
Perhaps a bold return like Nicki and River would be easy if life were crystal clear — but people remain complex and private.
People are intricate and often withhold things. Life rarely offers plain, straightforward answers, and that mystery drives the story and characters forward.
The book’s town, Cape Town, is fictional but inspired by Maine. Why that setting instead of the Mediterranean?
A news piece about lobster fishing and the film Manchester by the Sea sparked the idea. A harsh, cold town creates the atmosphere needed to explore the themes. The setting emerged because it served the story’s purpose, not for any formal plan. One detail leads to another, and inspiration grows from there.
Her books sell in over 30 countries and will soon reach the US in full. Does that prospect overwhelm her, or is it exciting to imagine new markets?
The US market is challenging for an outsider. She remains cautious about expansion, curious about what happens, and experiences it as something foreign yet intriguing at the same time.
Being the most-read author in Spain in 2022, does the internet era amplify the impact more than past decades?
To some extent yes. The abundance of information today makes things move fast. The internet is powerful for promotion, especially when targeting younger readers, and word-of-mouth travels through streets and social networks alike.
How has her style evolved over the years?
Her writing grows with her. Each novel explores new themes, pushing toward more mature territory and a challenge that keeps her engaged. The newer works tend to address more adult concerns and questions she pondered in her twenties.
What can readers expect next?
She isn’t sure yet. A few projects are in progress, and she’s testing ideas to find the right fit. She wants to explore, but the exact direction isn’t decided.
Does the pressure of waiting readers weigh on her?
What worries her more is the fear of offering something that readers don’t enjoy. It’s stressful but necessary to push creative boundaries and have fun with her work. She fears disappointing readers who expect a consistent pace, but this risk is part of the process for the next book.
Would she consider other genres, perhaps a noir or even a lighter, childlike tone?
Trying different styles appeals to her, but time and schedule make it hard. When she was young, she loved the idea of writing varied stories someday and would welcome the chance to explore more genres in the future.
Why is she often described as an editorial phenomenon and love novelist? Do these labels matter to her?
She doesn’t claim those titles as her own; the real work remains writing. Yet she recognizes that social presence and branding are part of how the industry operates, and she participates in them as needed to reach readers and connect with fans.
How would she describe her books in her own terms?
Her stories revolve around everyday beauty, focusing on love, bonds, and feelings. A sensual edge and her essential voice persist, while each novel introduces new elements rather than repeating the last.
People notice she uses a pen name and sometimes appears in photos. How does she feel about that?
Initially, she kept to writing. As her career grew, she stepped out for signings and appearances, embracing the public persona. Her stage name helps readers recognize her, and if she ever wrote in a different genre under a new persona, it could be a way to attract a fresh reader base.
What is it like meeting her readers?
Those moments energize her. It’s amazing to see how her words touch others, elicit strong emotions, and keep a lasting connection with readers who share their stories in return. She remains grateful for the ongoing bond with her audience.