Photo by Jennifer Hark-Hameister.
My name is Alyssa Palombo, and I am a writer living and working in Buffalo, NY. I attended Canisius College in Buffalo, where I majored in English and creative writing with a minor in music. I’m a classically trained mezzo-soprano who also dabbles in playing piano. When not writing, I can usually be found reading, hanging out and laughing way too hard at nonsensical inside jokes with friends, traveling (or dreaming of my next travel destination), at a concert, or planning for next Halloween. I’m a metalhead and a self-proclaimed French fry connoisseur. I also own way too many hoodies, pairs of sunglasses, and pajamas, but never enough books.
I am the author of four historical novels, The Violinist of Venice, The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel and The Borgia Confessions, all from St. Martin’s Griffin and published (or forthcoming) in multiple languages. My first contemporary novel, Heavy Metal Symphony, is coming in 2021 from Kaledena Press. I am represented by Sam Farkas of Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
You can find me on Twitter and Instagram at @AlyssInWnderlnd.
Contact: alyssa@alyssapalombo.com
Visit my Bookshop affiliate shop here!
Alyssa Palombo 
I just finished your book, Ms. Palombo.
Absolutely beautiful read…I completely enjoyed it.
THANK YOU.
I will have a review on my blog on December 17.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog
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Hi Alyssa – I selected your book for my Book Club this month. I was struggling to find just the right book for this group of intellectual and worldly ladies and then I came upon “The Violinist of Venice” – what a delight. Dark secrets, intrigue, love, passion, human error, and beautiful music swirl around Venice in this amazing book. Thank you for providing us with such a classic book about Vivaldi, his love and his music. You have a wonderful gift as a writer. I would love to hear you sing.
P.S. Your website is wonderful. I enjoyed reading about “The Most Beautiful Woman of Florence” and listening to all of the music and viewing the artwork.
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Thanks so much, Jill! So happy to hear that VIOLINIST is a great fit for your book club. Wishing you my best!
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Hi Alyssa I just finished your book the Violinist of Venice this afternoon after being captivated by it for the last couple of days and being torn away from it for commitments. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your novel, it was very well written from the very beginning. Thank you Suzanne
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Thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed!
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Hello Alyssa
I just want to thank you for writing such an exquisite and beautiful book “The Violinist of Venice”. I was completely captivated and transformed and just could not put it down. I have been a full-time carer for my mum for over ten years until she passed away. Prior to that I had been an avid, three books on the go at any one time, reader but due to the stress and exhaustion of being a carer for my beautiful mum, I no longer had been able to read – nothing interested me, especially following her passing. Your book has changed that for me in ways I just cannot begin to explain. So apart from writing such a truly wonderful, original and rich story, I want to thank you for giving back to me my first true love. I cannot believe that you are a first time author. In all that will come to you following the publication (and hopefully made into a film) of your novel, never lose sight of your great gift. You are your own Vivaldi. I look forward to your next book and thank you so much for writing the “Violinist of Venice” it is a masterpiece.
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Thank you so much for your kind words! It really means a lot to me that my book affected you so. Thank you for reaching out, and best wishes to you!
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Congratulations Alyssa on your debut novel, a beautiful story, beautifully told. Thank you for transporting me to Vivaldi’s Venice, a it was sumptuous, totally engaging read brimming with true love. I look forward to your next title. Jennifer (Australia)
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Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book! 🙂
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Alyssa – Please tell me you have another book coming out soon? I am savoring the last chapters of the The Violinist of Venice in hopes I can jump right into another one of your masterpieces…
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You’re too kind! So happy that you’re enjoying the book! 🙂 I will have a second historical novel out from St. Martin’s called “The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence: A Story of Botticelli”. I don’t have an official release date for that novel yet, though. Keep an eye on my site, as I’ll be posting any updates as soon as I can!
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A beautifully crafted story that made my heart sing and cry in equal measures. I look happily forward to your next book.
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Oh, thank you so much! That is lovely to hear 🙂
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Dear Alyssa,
Congratulations for your accomplishments!.
I am the founder and leader of a Book Club. The Ladies of the Club: Literary Society, would like to read books (translations in Spanish) the Spanish version of “El Violinista de Venecia”.
“La mujer más hermosa de Florencia: La vida de Botticelli,”etc.
The American and French Ladies want to practice, and to learn more the Spanish language. Also, several ladies are from Spain and Latin America, as well.
I appreciate your talent.
Thank you for enlightening the community of readers.
Best wishes.
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Thank you so much for your interest! I’m sorry to say that none of my books are available in Spanish at this time. Unfortunately I don’t have any control over what languages my books are translated into; a publishing company in that country or countries would have to purchase the rights from my American publisher and publish the translated version. No Spanish-language publisher has as yet acquired any of my books, though I do hope that will change in the future. Take care, and thank you for reaching out!
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I loved THE VIOLINIST OF VENICE too. My review is in the link below.
http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2015/12/review-and-giveaway-of-violonist-of.html
So exciting to hear you have another book coming out.
Thanks, Alyssa.
Elizabeth
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Looks like my comment got lost in the shuffle. 🙂
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Oh hmm, so sorry if I missed one! I believe I did see your review around release date; thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed THE VIOLINIST OF VENICE!
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Hello, and Blessings of the Day! Thank you for THE VIOLINIST OF VENICE! It was thoroughly enjoyed. I was a part of their families, vacationing for the few days in Venice. And it was wonderful! To read of Vivaldi, of his beloved Venice, to learn more about his incredible music. And, then, to read of the plausible story of his daughter.
And, then, to find you’ve another book to look forward to! Fab/fan/fun! What a terrif bonus! I am thrilled! Your writing skills are indeed superlative.
Thank you again!
Kitty Milloy, San Diego, California
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Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed the book, and hope you like the second one if and when you read it!
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I just finished reading your beautiful book. I am an English teacher and a lover of historical fiction. I savored each page and really admired your knowledge of music. I loved the characters and how they evolved through the story.. Having it be in the first person was fantastic and I want more. who is your favorite writer of historical fiction. Loved it!! Sherry
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Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy you enjoyed the book. There are LOTS of historical fiction authors I love, but some favorites are Philippa Gregory, Sarah Dunant, CW Gortner, Kate Quinn, and Jennifer Laam.
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I usualy love happy ending romance history novels and was suprised with the story i got in my hands. Didnt like it at first couple of pages but i got hooked on the storyline. I was mad at you because the story didnt go the way i wanted to. Then i realised, i loveeee it. No clichés even tho its a fatasy and i love the fantasy you got from a real life person (which i didnt like at first as well). It forced me to google Antonio and Anna and it all makes sense with real history and book storyline. Every single page of the Violinist is a gold and the way you transfered music on a paper gave me a goosebumps. That is the first time.i actualy heard the music.
Cant wait for your next book and sorry for my bad english. Greetings from Croatia
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Thanks so much for reaching out! Glad you ended up liking the book 🙂
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Ciao cara Alyssa, Brava,Brava, Brava for The Violinist of Venice! It is one of the best books I have ever read!! Actually I read it in Italy last year! Wow! Fantastico!!! I adore Vivaldi and Venice. I have stayed there many times and will be there again this July, 2017. I will for sure go to a Vivaldi concert in the Santa Maria Pieta and visit Chiesa San Giovani! I can’t wait! Now anxiously awaiting your new The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence! It will travel with me to Italy this summer!! Grazie mille! Keep writing! Dio Benedica!
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Grazie mille, Patricia! So happy to hear that VIOLINIST traveled to Italy with you and that you enjoyed reading it! 🙂 Happy travels this summer, and I hope you like THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE!
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Dear Alyssa, I am amazed. The book became part of my life. I really enjoyed it. My professor of Literature gave us a coursework with this topic: “My novel”. We have to write which is the novel which has an influence on us. I didn’t know which one to choose and then I found The Violinist of Venice. I started reading it and after a while I realized that my coursework was done. Thank you! Thank you for the amazing book and for the inspiration!
Kind Regards,
Mirela
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Hi Mirela! Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed the book, and that you were able to use it in a class! Wishing you all the best.
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I look forward to the release of The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence. I see it is coming out in paperback. Will there be a hard cover copy as well.
Thanks,
Cindy
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Hi Cindy, so glad to hear you’re excited for THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE! It will be released in paperback and ebook formats, no hardcover.
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Just finished The most beautiful woman. I enjoyed it very much. Like your style of writing, the ease with which it reads. Kept me interested all the way through. I read in the early morning so it was an insensitive to get up and read like something that was calling me.
Going to read your other book The violinist in Venice.
Five stars from me.
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Thanks so much, Monica! So happy you enjoyed THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE, and I hope you like THE VIOLINIST OF VENICE as well!
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I just finished reading The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence and absolutely loved it!! I took a class that involved authenticating historical fiction (for my teacher certification), so I really loved that you included the author’s note explaining which liberties you took as an author and which details were fact. This book makes historical figures seem relatable, which I think is fascinating and so important!!
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Hi Madi! Thanks so much for your comment, and for reading. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the book and found it interesting and relatable! Best wishes to you!
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Hi Alyssa,
Just grabbed your book from lib & absolutely loved it!! Made me imagine Venice & Vivaldi more! As I myself love music/instrumentals & ofcourse Itlay!
Although I understand Adriana is a fictional character, I still think her abandoning Anna at Vivaldi’s death was cruel & insensitive also contradicting her passion for her own step brother whom she was so devoted to! She should’ve revealed to Anna after she wanted to know who her mother was! Leaving her in the lurch just showed that her love died with Vivaldi & all associated to him!
These are just my thoughts! All in all your book is amazing read!! Just what I needed while off from work!! Looking fwd to your other book now!!
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Hi Nadia! Happy to hear that you enjoyed the book. As I’ve heard from readers it seems that everyone feels differently about the ending, which is interesting for me to hear. Hope you enjoy THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE should you read it!
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Alyssa, I have read both books and adored them. Do you have another book coming soon??
Could not put either book down. Keep writing !!!!
Regards
Michele
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Hi Michele,
Thanks so much! So thrilled you enjoyed my books 🙂 My third novel is entitled THE SPELLBOOK OF KATRINA VAN TASSEL and will be out in the US on 10/2/18.
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I have just completed reading THE SPELLBOOK OF KATRINA VAN TASSEL. I absolutely loved this book and did not want it to end, ever. Katrina comes to life through your writing, as she never did in the original tale by Washington Irving. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania where the Dutch were prominent and first heard the telling of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by my Gram as I sat upon her lap at a young age. I both feared and craved hearing about the Headless Horseman over and over again, especially at Halloween. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday and I have passed this love to my children and now to my grandson. Thank-you so very much for this treasure, I have already passed the book onto my eldest daughter. This will only be the beginning of the book’s journey, first through my family and then my friends! My next books will be your first two books. Again, Thank-YOU!
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Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the book; that means a lot. Best wishes to you!
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Dear Alyssa,
I just have finished The most beautiful woman in Florence. This was the first book what I read from you, but not the last, for sure. This book is very special for me. I have bought it for my birthday and started to read it on the plane to Florence. After my trip was some week, when I couldn’t read so much – Christmas, New Year’s Eve, family, friends- but in the last few days I continued to read. As you describe the Piazza di Santa Croce, I cried. I saw and felt everything…it seems like I’m in Florence, again. The love what you imagined to Simonetta and Sandro… Unfortunatelly I didn’t visited their tombs, though I have walked twice near to them… but this is another reason why I have to go back to Florence very soon. 🙂 So… Thank you so much for this book. It really touched me.
with love,
Korinna
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Hi Korinna! Thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words. I’m so happy to hear that you really connected with THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE!
Best wishes,
Alyssa Palombo
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Hi Alyssa. I just saw your new book, Borgia Confessions. Looks great! I just finished Umberto Eco’s Name of the Rose last week and I’m brooding an angle for a blog entry on that one myself 🙂 Gary
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