Vanessa Riley with Dawn Tripp

Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author known for her ability to bring the hidden narratives of power, love, and sisterhoods of Black women and women of color to life on the page. Her novel Fire, Sword, and Sea continues her exploration of resilience, identity, and survival. Riley’s work has been praised for its meticulous research and emotional depth. In addition to penning over twenty-five novels, Riley holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and STEM degrees from Penn State, adding a research-oriented approach to her writing while emphasizing inclusive storytelling about the Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency eras. In this engaging session with author Dawn Tripp, Riley will discuss the inspirations behind her seafaring adventure, the complexities of historical storytelling, and the ways in which untold histories can reshape our understanding of the past.