Featured Interview With Jalissa Carter
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m originally a Southside Chicago girl—that’s where I was born and where I got my 'hustle.' These days, I’ve traded the city for the charm of a historic 1940s bungalow in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It’s a storied town that really fuels my creativity, and I share that space with my husband, our daughters, and our pet fish. It’s the perfect environment for balancing my work as an author, coach, and elopement officiant.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I realized my fascination with books early on—it was a way for me to explore worlds beyond the Southside of Chicago. I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, but I truly started putting pen to paper in a serious way in my early twenties.
That creative spark eventually led to my debut, Testimonials Tales & Females, in 2017. Since then, writing has become my primary way of processing the world, whether I’m exploring romantic suspense or crafting wine-infused poetry for the couples I marry as an officiant.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My absolute favorite author is Kimberla Lawson Roby; her ability to build narratives that resonate with the heart while addressing real-world complexities significantly inspired my own approach to storytelling. For poetry, Maya Angelou is my North Star. She taught me that words can be a tool for both liberation and grace.
I don't stick to just one genre—I love anything with big emotions, from soulful poetry to high-stakes drama—but I'm mostly inspired by the real people I encounter. Whether it’s the couples I marry as an officiant or the women I coach, their stories and my own personal journey are what truly give my writing its 'authentic' flavor.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is 'Wedlope: Wine-Infused Poems for Weddings & Elopements.' It’s a collection born directly from my life as an elopement officiant here in Arkansas. I found myself standing at the altar with these incredible couples, witnessing these raw, beautiful moments, and I wanted to create something that captured that 'intimate magic.'
To go along with it, I created the 'Poetic Rosé: Wine Journal.' I see it as a companion piece for my readers—a dedicated space where they can document their own journeys, their favorite vintages, and the 'poetic' moments in their own lives. Whether they are planning a wedding or just savoring a quiet evening, I want them to have the tools to bottle up those memories, just like a fine wine.
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