We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Valencourt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Writing your first book is exhilarating, exhausting, and everything in between. For me, it took five years to bring Every Night Has a Dawn to life. Inspired by my grandmother’s resilience and the stories she shared from a bygone era, this book became my way to honor her legacy and share a piece of history.

As a young girl, I would rush home from school, crossing the street to my grandmother’s house—a cozy, single-story in the suburbs. Greeted by the warm smell of something good cooking, our afternoons were spent baking, laughing, and sharing in a tradition as old as time—storytelling. She told tales of her youth, from growing up as a traveling farm worker to living on the Makah Reservation in Neah Bay, and even meeting President Roosevelt! Her life was shaped by hardship, yet anchored by love, friendship, and her family’s unbreakable will to survive. Despite the challenges, she reflected on that time of the Great Depression and WWII with joy. Her resilience touched me deeply, especially in a world where so many grapple with isolation and economic struggles. Here was a woman who, with next to nothing, kept her family strong and her heart full of hope.

Though Every Night Has a Dawn is fiction, writing it felt like capturing her essence—her kindness, strength, and unique perspective on what it meant to be a woman.

During the writing process, I was astonished to uncover a 60-year-old family secret my grandmother had kept hidden, revealing a side of her I had never truly seen. Writing this novel became a way to step into her shoes and understand why she guarded that secret for so long. We were close; she was my confidante, the one I spent hours with in the kitchen, baking and sharing stories. When I started my journey as an author, she was there, guiding me. After I completed the first two chapters, she slipped away, leaving me to continue without her. Yet, as I ventured deeper into her past, I still felt her spirit beside me with every word, as if she were guiding me through till the end of this project.

Every Night Has a Dawn explores cross-cultural connections, love, and family secrets. Sometimes in life, there is no clear right choice—only the best path forward. Knowing that this story has resonated with others means everything to me. Winning the Regal Summit Book Award for Historical Fiction on my grandmother’s birthday felt like a beautiful affirmation, encouraging me to continue and complete the Winds of Change trilogy.

What began as an attempt to tell my grandmother’s story became something far greater—a tribute to every remarkable woman who came before us. Women who quietly broke barriers, held their families together through unimaginable challenges, and showed up every day with incredible strength. They taught us what it meant to lead with heart, to face hardship with resilience, and to find grace in the struggle. This story celebrates their courage, their grit, and the quiet power that continues to inspire me every day.

Rachel , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey into historical fiction began with a desire to honor my family’s legacy and share stories of resilience and strength. As an authorpreneur, I’m deeply involved in every stage of my craft—from writing and revising to managing the publishing process, hiring editors and cover artists to help bring my books to life, and overseeing all aspects of marketing. This hands-on approach gives me a unique connection with my readers and ensures my books stay true to my vision.

Striving to create emotional, layered family sagas, I explore themes of survival, revival, and the connections that bridge generations. I believe in the power of stories to bring the past to life in ways that resonate with the present. My Winds of Change Trilogy invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and reflection—with a generous dose of nostalgia.

What sets me apart is my commitment to authenticity, not just in historical details but in the emotional experiences that shape my characters.

Beyond writing, I live in a coastal community with my British husband, two teenage daughters, and our six-toed cat, Saffy. I’ve also been blogging since 2010, sharing glimpses into my motherhood journey, personal reflections, and travel adventures.

For those exploring my work, I hope my books offer a moment to reflect, to draw strength from the past, and to celebrate the quiet resilience that often goes unnoticed. Each story I write is crafted to uplift and inspire while offering a captivating escape from the comfort of home.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I want to take a moment to share some ways society can support artists that won’t cost a penny. Sure, shopping local is fantastic, but there are plenty of other ways to show us some love. Engaging with artists on social media and spreading the word to friends helps more than you’ll ever know. Every time you like, comment, or share a post, it’s like giving us a little boost to reach more people.

Another great way to support your favorite artist is to write a quick review. They make a world of difference—not just feedback but a way to help others find and appreciate our work. These small actions add up and let us keep following our passion and creating the work you love.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was to stop being my own worst critic. As an Enneagram Eight and a Virgo, the pressure I put on myself was immense. I remind myself often that everyone starts somewhere and that, sometimes, the only path to success is through a few missteps. Over time, I’ve come to see that setbacks and mistakes aren’t dead ends; they’re the stepping stones that sharpened my skills and made the successes all the sweeter. Letting go of my self-induced pressure and giving myself the grace to make mistakes was a journey in itself. Sometimes, you have to put it all out there, no matter how others might judge.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rachelvalencourt.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvalencourt/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelValencourt?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelvalencourt
• Twitter: https://x.com/rdvalencourt/
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CK63T7X1
  https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelvalencourt?_t=8rG6Ei883eZ&_r=1

Image Credits
Skylar Rose – Photographer Lilly Dormishev Artist