Many of you may already know Billie Jo Priestley as the mind behind popular AlphaNovel hits like Luna Battle The Game, Your Dads Perfect, Stepbrothers Raven, and others. These stories haven’t just gained attention—they’ve earned thousands of fans and dedicated readers who can’t get enough of her intense characters, emotional twists, and gripping plots.
We decided to learn what stands behind the genius of our popular author!
In this Q&A, she opens up about how writing became both an outlet and a lifeline, what her day-to-day looks like as a full-time author and parent, and the journey that led her to connect more deeply with readers through AlphaNovel.
How did your writing journey start?
My writing journey began when I was just a child, thanks to a nationwide poetry competition run by Waterstones. Every school across the UK took part, and to my complete shock, I won. After that, poetry became my secret outlet, though life eventually swept me up in the chaos of family and growing up. Writing stories was always my escape, the place I could pour out whatever I couldn’t say out loud. But somewhere along the way, I stopped writing altogether, and honestly, it took a toll on me. In 2017, I finally dusted off my old notebooks and decided to pick it all back up. That year became the turning point, I began writing again, and even pushed myself to share the stories with others. I then realised, I put a lot of myself into the stories, and reflected my life in my characters. I haven’t looked back since.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself outside of writing? What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m a full-time writer, but my day always starts with family. I’m up at six am to get my kids ready for school, then I do a quick clean before diving into work. Most of my writing happens between 8am and 3pm, when the house is quiet with an insane amount of tea! Afternoons are for homework help, dinner, and catching up with my partner and kids. Once everyone’s in bed, I usually squeeze in another hour of writing or answering messages from readers. It’s busy, a bit chaotic, but it works, and I’ve learned to write in the middle of it all
Outside of that, I’m a massive music lover. My playlists are all over the place which many people complain over. Johnny Cash one minute, Eminem the next, with some Youngblud and Nine Inch Nails thrown in for good measure. I also love trying new things, whether it’s painting, knitting, cross-stitching, cover designing. I’m not great at many of them, but I always have fun trying.
What’s something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?
Growing up, I wasn’t surrounded by books. I didn’t have shelves full of stories or parents who read to me at night. The only books I came across were the ones handed out in school and even then, I rarely was able to finish them or enjoy them. It wasn’t until I was nineteen that I started reading full books on my own and finally discovered how powerful stories could be. So I didn’t grow up as a bookworm, but once I found that love for reading, it never left me.
What book (or author) made you fall in love with storytelling?
Lora Leigh’s Elite Ops series was the first set of books I ever truly connected with. It was the first time I found myself completely lost in a story and loving every minute of it. That series opened the door for me, helping me discover the kind of books that spoke to me and showed me just how powerful storytelling could be.
When you’re starting a new book, what comes first: the plot, the characters, or a single scene?
Usually, it starts with a single scene or a spark of plot. I can be deep into another story when suddenly my brain shifts gears and throws a completely new idea at me. Once that happens, I have to start writing it, even just a little because if I don’t it takes over my thoughts completely. That’s how I end up working on more than one book at a time. If I don’t get the new story out of my head, I can’t focus on anything else.
How do you approach writing consistently, especially when juggling life outside of your author career?
Honestly, it’s a lot easier now that all my kids are in high school, before then everything was hectic. Now, they leave the house at seven, and I practically sprint to my laptop like it’s the last slice of cake. I try to stay ahead by writing extra chapters in advance, especially since one of my kids has unpredictable hospital visits. It’s like playing a game of “Guess When Life Will Interrupt Me Next.” I’m the same if there is holidays coming up, or birthdays and such. I prep for it, I stockpile chapters ready to release if anything happens that stops me from writing.
What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received—or one you’ve discovered for yourself?
The best advice I ever got was actually something I was already doing without realising it. I’ve always had at least two stories on the go, and I used to think I was a bit mad for juggling them. But when I mentioned it to another author and mentioned stopping and sticking to one story, they told me, “It’s smart to write more than one. Writers get blocked because they force their minds to stick to one story. Switching between projects gives your creativity space to breathe.” That really stuck with me as I was about to switch to writing one story at a time. It made me realise I wasn’t weird, I was just giving my brain room to play.
How has your experience on AlphaNovel shaped or changed your writing process?
AlphaNovel was one of the first platforms where I truly had active readers, yes I’d published before, but the only feedback I ever got was an occasional end-of-book review and that’s if I was lucky. On AlphaNovel, getting comments as readers move through each chapter has changed everything. I can actually see how people are reacting in real time. If a chapter’s meant to be emotional and no one’s crying, I know I’ve missed the mark. That kind of instant feedback helps me adjust, grow, and connect with readers in a much more personal way
What would you say to an author who feels stuck or discouraged about their story’s performance or progress?
Don’t give up. I started writing in 2017, and it wasn’t until 2024 that I was finally able to write like it was a full time job and live off my income. Writing isn’t something that takes off overnight, it’s a slow build. Focus on connecting with your readers, especially through social media, because they often reach out with questions or support, and those connections matter more than you think. If you’re feeling stuck on a book, start something new for a while. Step away from the story that’s giving you trouble, then come back to it after a week or two and read it like a reader, not the author. Take notes, notice what feels off. Sometimes we get discouraged because we’re too close to the story, and all it takes is a little space and a fresh perspective to find the spark again.
Billie Jo is proof that resilience, real-life experience, and the courage to restart can lead to powerful storytelling. Her journey is a reminder that every story matters — and that sometimes, the stories we write help us heal just as much as they entertain others.
