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ABOUT

I write a wide variety of stories about finding one’s truth, using self-knowledge as a means to self-respect, and discovering magic in the everyday.

I’m based in Honolulu, where my dreams inform my stories, and you can find me weaving words amid the palm fronds.

Amazon Author Page
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Why I Write

I’ve always been drawn to magic and possibilities. That evolved into writing stories where people find their inner power. My path is guided by a curiosity about how we can become the best versions of ourselves.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Art is the passing of feelings from one human heart to another.

Kurt Vonnegut

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🌺 Writing Pals & Conferences

🌺 Writing Pals & Conferences

Short Bio

Lyssa spins her tales from the faraway fiftieth state, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. You can read her short stories in the upcoming anthology Summer in the City (Ruadán Books, 2026), The Literary Fantasy Magazine (TheArcanist.net, 2025), and A Beacon Amidst Shadows (Three Raven’s Publishing, 2024). Lyssa lives on Oahu with her husband and their four-legged loves, Mele and Finn.Reach her at LyssaReese.com.

Medium Bio

Thirty years ago, Lyssa moved from New York City to Hawaii with her new husband. She worked from home to raise two children and wondered what came next. Since it’s never too late to be what you might have been, she returned to writing and discovered within herself an endless reserve of stories. 

Lyssa is published in The Literary Fantasy Magazine (TheArcanist.net, 2025), A Beacon Amidst Shadows (Three Raven’s Press, 2024), and the inspirational anthology We See You, We Hear You (2023). She is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence.

Her fiction has won several writing contests and combines a little magic with her concern about the place of women in society. Lyssa lives in Honolulu with her husband and their very clever four-legged loves, Mele and Finn. You can reach her at LyssaReese.com and on Facebook as Lyssa Hanan Reese.

Long Bio

Lyssa grew up in the suburbs of Manhattan, roaming the woods and reading books nestled in the branches of an apple tree. She went to the west coast for college, earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts, and moved to New York City. For the next six years, she worked on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center.

She met her husband Steve at a holiday party in a New York nightclub. A month after they wed, they moved to Hawaii for a brief adventure and never left. Lyssa bought a home-based advertising business, raised a daughter and a son, and launched them as thoughtful citizens of the world. They continue to astonish and delight her.

Since it’s never too late to be what you might have been, she returned to her early love of writing and discovered within herself an endless reserve of stories. Lyssa’s novels reflect her concern about the place of women in society; they involve finding one’s truth and discovering magic in the everyday.

Lyssa is published in the upcoming Summer in the City (Ruadàn Books, 2026). The Literary Fantasy Magazine (TheArcanist.net, 2025), A Beacon Amidst Shadows (Three Raven’s Press, 2024), and We See You, We Hear You (2023). She is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence. She’s an active member of PNWA, WFWA, Story Summit, and was a founding member of Virgin Authors.com. 

Lyssa is grateful to weave her words beneath the palm trees with her four-legged loves, Mele and Finn. She writes to inspire women to embrace their dreams. You can reach her at LyssaReese.com, on Facebook as Lyssa Hanan Reese, and on her new Substack, Even when it hurts.

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Virgin Authors

Mandi, Jana & I created a writingcommunity for newbies.

We chatted with industryexpertsand successful authors to bring you tips on everything from creating a sustainable writing habit to navigating the publishing world.

Our all-star roster of guests included: K.K. Allen, Julie Barton, Rebecca Bloom, JJ Elliott, Amy Ferris, Angela Ford, Ann Garvin, Emma Grey, Kim Hornsby, Nancy Naigle, Katie Russell Newland, Zibby Owens, Stacey Powells, Gerri Russell, Noelle Salazar, Nina Schyuler, Tess Thompson, Brooke Warner, Sabrina York, and many more!

All good things must come to an end, but you can find free episodes, here:

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