BY AVELLINA BALESTRI
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I’m a Catholic wife, mom, chronic illness fighter, and have been writing for most of my life. I’m a self-proclaimed nerd who loves history, movies, reading, and going to Comic Cons. I also love Adoration, Mass, chasing sunsets, traveling, and chocolate. Preferably paired with peanut butter, whenever possible.
I grew up mostly as a traditional Catholic in Connecticut, USA. I was homeschooled for the majority of my childhood, which allowed me to binge on Church history, apologetics, and writing. Now, I’m honored to be a part of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter with my husband and son, and we live in Missouri.
What first inspired you to start writing?
My first-grade teacher gave me my first of many notebooks. She also had the class write and illustrate our own stories and published them on her laminator. I’ve wanted to be an author ever since.
How did you first become interested in history, and what are your favorite time periods?
Honestly, probably when I read an old history book in fifth grade. I was so shocked to learn that Christopher Columbus was not only a good man, but Catholic as well. It made me want to find out what else I had been taught that was incorrect. Church history is my favorite and definitely the Protestant Reformation persecutions.
What started you on the journey of historical fiction writing in particular?
I’ve always loved reading historical fiction, but it didn’t occur to me to write that genre straight away. When I was 16/17, I wanted to write a period romance like Pride and Prejudice, just for fun. But St. Edmund Campion had other ideas.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of working within the historical fiction genre?
I get super passionate/inspired about the people before us.
My least favorite thing is fact checking. It’s very irritating how much incorrect information there are in books and the Internet. (Tim Guiles to the rescue!)
How have you chosen which historical characters to feature in your books, and what made their stories resonate with you?
The period romance I started writing back in high school was good, but it lacked depth and excitement. Then I remembered reading about St. Edmund Campion a few years prior. A huge light bulb went off in my head! What if I wrote a period romance set during the Protestant Reformation?
I loved St Edmund Campion’s bravery, wit, intelligence, and just really connected with him. Secret Dwellings never would have been written without him. Many years later, I wound up rewriting it; I hope I did him proud.
What is your process in terms of research and bringing historical characters to life?
St. Edmund Campion is not in my book as a character, but his story is told through my fictional characters. In the sequel, Priest of the Masquerade, many historical figures will be portrayed from Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, to Nicholas Owen, and many others.
I research lots of different books, videos, websites, etc. until it’s an endless blur of information in my head.
What is your method to integrate fictional characters and situations into the historical setting?
I engulf myself with that time period from books, movies, music, and my daydreams.
I’m what you call a “pantser.” I get inspired with a story, and I let my characters lead the way. For me, this lets my characters take center stage and draw you into their lives.
If you had the chance to convey a message to your favorite historical characters, what would it be?
That’s the beautiful thing about being Catholic and the Communion of Saints — I can talk to St. Edmund Campion whenever I like! What I’ve conveyed mostly, is gratitude and awe. I greatly look forward to greeting him with a hug when I get to join him in heaven.
What do you find more enjoyable/difficult: First drafts or editing/rewriting?
First drafts are my favorite; everything flows and I do small editing as I go.
Edits that you get back from the editor are tedious and my procrastination tends to kick in.
How have you gone about publicizing yourself and your works?
Secret Dwellings debuted May 5th, 2025! I chose self-publishing for a number of reasons, but mostly because I didn’t feel like waiting years to have my book published.
So far, I market through social media and word of mouth. If my health issues permit me, I hope to do a few book signings too.
What are some of the main themes/morals you would like readers to take away from your works?
No matter what you’re going through, God never abandons us.
That charm doesn’t equal a good man.
The history of how Protestantism began.
And that the blood of the martyrs strengthens us all.
I hope my readers learn a little, get inspired, laugh, and forgive me when my book tempts them to neglect their responsibilities.
What is some advice you would give aspiring authors, especially those focusing on the historical fiction genre?
Write the book. No one else will; it’s yours.
If you get bored writing it; they’ll be bored reading it, so make every page engaging.
Plug your socials, published works, and current projects!
You can find my book and socials here on my website:
As for current projects, the sequel to Secret Dwellings, Priest of the Masquerade, is my number one priority! I’m excited to share it, hopefully soon. While Secret Dwellings is more of a historical romance, the sequel is a standalone historical fiction. It follows Father Dawson through the underground network of England as he narrowly escapes capture. Along the way, I have the honor of introducing a lot of the men and women who kept Catholicism alive in England.
I also have some other historical fictions in their pupa stages, but those are secret for now.
Fellowship & Fairydust 