FAQs

Q: How do you pronounce your name?
Bree-uh-knee Woo-Sue

All my friends call me Bri. Feel free to do the same :)

Q: What is The Wondrous Lives and Loves of Nella Carter about?
It’s a speculative, fictional novel about a formerly enslaved woman who makes a bargain with Death: she will live, if she can find proof that humanity is still worth saving. Her search spans centuries and continents—from Savannah and New Orleans to London, Paris, and Buenos Aires—exploring love, memory, and what still makes life worth living.

Q: What inspired you to write it?
The story has an intriguing premise and central question: If Death offered you a chance to save humanity, what proof of goodness would you find? I also like stories with immortal characters and hadn't come across many that featured the Black American perspective of an individual experiencing history as it happened. Writing Nella’s story was my way of looking for hope in dark times and documenting what’s still beautiful in us—our creativity, our love, and our capacity to connect.

Q: Is it historical fiction, speculative fiction, or something else?
It’s a little of both. I love intersectional stories that blend history, spirituality, and a touch of the fantastical to ask big human questions. One of my favorite book growing up was A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, and I loved the sweeping epic of a family as they experienced the expansion of their small city and family over time. 

Q: Will there be a sequel?
There are no immediate plans for a sequel, but I’m deeply interested in continuing to explore the themes of connection and legacy in future books—possibly through linked stories or new characters. I have several projects in the works, spanning Women's Fiction, Upmarket/Book Club Fiction, Domestic Suspense, and Middle Grade, and am focusing on a fun, cozy mystery set in Mill Creek, Tennessee. 

✍🏾 About Writing & Process

Q: How long did it take you to write Nella Carter?
Death walked onto the page in March 2023. I finished the submission draft in August and we went on submission in October, where it sold in January of 2024, and went through revisions over the course of the year. It was formally annouced in May 2025, and slated for publication in December 2025. This book taught me patience, faith, and the art of rewriting with purpose. I'm forever grateful for the wonderful editors, agents, and team that have help Nella and me on our way. 

Q: What’s your writing process like?
I write in focused sprints—usually early mornings or late nights—guided by an ever expanding to-do list. I track my progress like a game (#ilovespreadsheets), but find that nothing motivates me like a deadline. 

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Be strategic. I truly believe you can get anywhere you want, but you have to know where you're going. What is it that you want to accomplish, and are your habits, actions, and beliefs the most conducive to getting you there? You can always write the book of your heart, but if you're writing for the marketplace, you should know what it is and what experience your work will provide for readers. 

🌿 About Brionni

Q: Where are you from?
I was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and now live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my husband and our three children. I attended Iowa State University as a George Washington Carver Scholar and later pursued my Master's in Education at Vanderbilt University. 

Q: What did you do before becoming an author?
I spent more than a decade teaching and mentoring new educators, helping them find their voice and purpose in the classroom. That experience taught me how to listen deeply—something that shapes every story I write.

Q: What themes do you love exploring?
Connection, creativity, legacy, and the light that survives even in hard times. My stories often blend realism with a touch of magic, and often seeks to find truth in the vulnerabilities of life. 

Q: What are you working on next?
I’m currently drafting a cozy mystery series set in Tennessee and developing new upmarket fiction projects that explore community, belonging, and joy. You can follow my progress and creative reflections on Substack.

💌 For Readers & Book Clubs

Q: Can I invite you to join my book club discussion?
Absolutely! I love connecting with readers. You can reach out through brionniwrites@gmail.com.

Q: Is there a discussion guide for Nella Carter?
Yes! You can find the official Book Discussion Guide here for thoughtful questions, reflection prompts, and creative ideas for hosting your own Nella night.

Q: How can I stay updated on your books and events?
Subscribe to The Bright Side, my Substack newsletter where I share behind-the-scenes stories, inspiration, and gentle encouragement for creative living. I hope to launch Bold Bright Co., my accountability community in late 2025. You can follow in my newsletter for the launch of Sunday Planning and Action Hours. 

📚 Publishing & Media

Q: Who represents you?
For rights inquiries or media requests for Nella, please contact:
Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary

For interest in representing in my other work and future projects, please click here.

Q: Will there be signed copies or preorder bonuses?
Yes! Subscribe to my newsletter for updates about exclusive preorder gifts, signed bookplates, and launch events closer to the release date.