Ottawa Author: Elena Lawson

We are so excited to have you here with us at Pages and Pleasures Ottawa 2026!

Tell us why you chose Romance and tell us a little bit about one of the books you will have at the event.

I’m not sure if it was a choice. I don’t recall ever making a conscious decision to write romance; it was just a given. Nearly every book I’ve ever loved has had romance in it, whether as the main plot or a juicy subplot. 

I’ve pivoted hard into the dark romance space over the past few years, so while I do have a large backlist of spicy paranormal titles (feel free to grab them on Amazon and bring them for me to sign!), I’ll mostly have my dark rh romance titles available. My current bestselling series is called Painted Sinners, and is full of kindle-melting chemistry and possessive, damaged men who will do whatever it takes to the revenge they crave and keep the girl they never meant to fall for.

The main tropes are:

Psycho golden retriever

Who hurt you?

Forced proximity

Damaged Heroes

Badass FMC

Found Family

Follow me on instagram for updates: https://www.instagram.com/authorelenalawson

What does a typical writing day look like for you (if such a thing exists)?

My alarm goes off just before 6am. After getting dressed and a quick face wash, first order of business is coffee. Then I write down everything not writing-related I have to do later in the day to get it out of my head. If I’ve done everything I needed to the night before, my Spotify playlist and document should be the only things open on my Mac. I’m lucky enough to have some authors I write with almost every day, so I either log into a Zoom room with them for accountability or join a writing room in 4thewords. Then I write for as long as I can. Some days that's only an hour or two. Some days I’m not done until dinner time. Depends on my deadlines and how loudly the characters are talking to me.

What’s the hardest part of being an author that readers might not realize?

Just sitting or standing at your desk for prolonged periods of time. As someone who doesn’t like to sit still, this is sometimes HELL for me. Music helps, and so does taking little breaks to move around. The second hardest part (even though you didn’t ask) is trying to be creative even on days where that creative well is drained. It’s not easy.

How do you handle writer’s block or creative slumps?

There are a few ways, but mostly when this happens, I need a break. I need to stop trying to push through it or even actively thinking about the story and do a few specific things: consume media (LOTS of it. Movies. TV Shows. Books. Etc), get outside and go for walks, and give myself guilt-free days off. Then suddenly, something will click when I go back to work, and I will know exactly how to proceed.

If you could get stuck in one of the world you created which one would it be and why?

This is a tough one, but it would actually be the world I’m currently writing on my new pen name that’s making its trad debut next year!! I can’t say much about it yet, but it’s a romantasy story with Fae and Gods and unique magical abilities set in a world inspired by the landscape and lush mythology of Scotland. If you’re a dark romantasy girlie, please give that account a follow, too! https://www.instagram.com/alina.d.grimaldi/ 

If your writing style were a cocktail or dessert, what would it be—and why?

Ooooh. For the Elena name, I would have to say an Old Fashioned. It’s got a kick to it, but if it’s made right, it’s also complex, flavorful, smooth, and just a little sweet. 

Thank you again for sharing your time, talent, and stories with us. We’re honored to have you as part of Pages and Pleasures Ottawa.

Your words bring joy, escape, and connection to readers—and we can’t wait to celebrate you!