Alisa Alering
Description
About Alisa Alering
Alisa Alering is the author of Smothermoss (Tin House, 2024), a Shirley Jackson Award finalist that the New York Times Book Review describes as “a compulsive journey through a wild, unknowable landscape and the wilder hearts of young girls.” Their background spans both literature and journalism, including work as a former librarian and science and technology reporter, bringing a thoughtful, research-driven perspective to storytelling.
Raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania and now based in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, Alisa’s path reflects a deep connection to place, observation, and the details that shape compelling narrative. This blend of creative writing and careful inquiry informs their contributions to the Boyds Mills blog, where they share insights on writing craft and research.
Featured topics include world-building, historical fiction research, and the relationship between source material and story, offering practical guidance for writers looking to strengthen both imagination and structure.
Blog Contributions
- 5 Common World Building Mistakes — June 2, 2022
- 5 Top Resources for Researching Historical Fiction — March 9, 2022
- Ashley Hope Pérez and Alisa Alering on How Source and Story Go Together — April 10, 2018
Alisa is also noted as faculty for the workshop “Connecting Source to Story: Mining the World for...” alongside Ashley Hope Pérez.