I saw a gap where couples needed words that felt as aged and intentional as a fine vintage.
Jalissa Carter – 7 March 2026
The Back Flap
Jalissa Carter, synonymous with matrimonies, paused her wedding business to embark on a path of self-discovery through fine wines, leading her to revitalize Wedlope and capture love’s essence in a book. Within its pages, readers will find a collection of poems that span various styles, from narrative to descriptive, and from romantic to nostalgic odes with delightful one-liners sprinkled throughout. This heartfelt book was lovingly formatted by the author in the breathtaking honeymoon capital of the world, Niagara Falls, New York.
About the book
What is the book about?
Wedlope is a collection of wine-infused poems designed for weddings and elopements. It’s a sensory exploration of love, capturing everything from the romantic high of a ceremony to the nostalgic odes of a long-term union. It’s about the “alchemy of storytelling” applied to the most significant milestones in a person’s life.
When did you start writing the book?
I officially started working on this collection in 2023. It has been a three-year journey of refining the poems and aligning them with my evolving path in the wine and wedding industries to ensure the final product captured the exact essence of love I wanted to portray.
How long did it take you to write it?
It took about a year of dedicated writing and refining to capture the essence of love through wine-infused poetry, culminating in its final formatting in Niagara Falls.
Where did you get the idea from?
The idea was born from my background in the wedding industry. I wanted to merge my expertise in matrimony with my passion for oenology (wine study). I saw a gap where couples needed words that felt as aged and intentional as a fine vintage.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The struggle was in the “edit.” As a life coach, I tell my clients that life is a manuscript we must revise. Applying that to my own poetry meant making tough cuts to ensure every “one-liner” and every stanza served the reader’s emotional journey.
What came easily?
The romantic odes. Formatting the book in Niagara Falls—the honeymoon capital of the world—provided a natural, effortless creative energy that flowed directly into the pages.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
While Wedlope is poetry rather than a novel, the “characters” are the universal versions of us: the lovers, the dreamers, and the partners. I certainly borrowed from the real-life emotions I witnessed during my years in the wedding business.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I am deeply influenced by two powerhouses. Maya Angelou inspired my foundational love for poetry; her ability to use words as a tool for liberation and grace is something I strive to emulate in my own verses. On the fiction side, Kimberla Lawson Roby significantly inspired my writing style and approach to storytelling. Her ability to craft relatable, high-stakes African American drama showed me how to build narratives that resonate with the heart while addressing real-world complexities. Together, they taught me that your voice is the most powerful thing you own.
Do you have a target reader?
My target readers are the “story-seekers”—couples planning their weddings, lovers of fine wine, and anyone who appreciates a soulful, descriptive look at human connection.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My process is about “Place and Taste.” I often write while savoring a specific wine that matches the mood of the piece. I believe creativity thrives in collaboration and sensory experiences.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
For Wedlope, I used a thematic outline. I knew I wanted to cover the transition from the “first pour” of a relationship to the “aged vintage” of a long-term commitment.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I wait until I’ve finished the first draft. I treat my first drafts like a “tasting”—you have to let the flavors develop before you decide what needs to be refined.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes! I love songbird by Kenny G. It helps maintain the “soft confidence” vibe I want my readers to feel.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I chose to bypass the traditional agent route for Wedlope to maintain the artistic integrity of the brand and its connection to my wedding business.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was about reclamation. After having my work discarded by a critic early in life, I realized that “No” is just someone else’s unfinished sentence. Going Indie allowed me to finish the sentence on my own terms.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I believe in the power of professional collaboration. I have worked with the same book cover designer, Lesia S. (@germancreative), since 2017. She is credited in all of my publications, including Wedlope, and she has been instrumental in helping me maintain a consistent and elegant brand across my work.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have a strategic plan that integrates my “Author and Oenophile” brand—using social media, podcasting, and local community engagement in both Arkansas and Georgia.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Treat your career like a draft: revise, refine, and never be afraid to scrap a chapter that no longer fits. Your narrative is the most powerful thing you own—don’t let anyone else hold the pen.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Chicago, which gave me my drive and my “resourceful and determined” spirit.
Where do you live now?
I currently live in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in a historic 1940s bungalow. Fort Smith is a storied “Wild West” frontier town, and living surrounded by that history provides an incredible backdrop for my creative work and my coaching practice.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I want them to know that my brand isn’t just about me—it’s about voice. Whether I’m coaching, pouring wine, or writing, I’m here to remind you that your story matters.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on expanding the Wedlope experience and continuing to help women rewrite their personal narratives through my coaching sessions.
End of Interview:
For more from Jalissa Carter follow her on Instagram and connect with her on LinkedIn.
