Nestled on a quiet farm in the heart of Devon, Anna Valencia is far from the crumbling villas and Renaissance courtyards that fill her imagination. Yet, for the author of The Chestnut House, the distance is merely physical. Valencia describes her creative process as leading a "double life," one where she is mentally transported to the wild Garfagnana mountains while navigating the daily rhythms of property management and the school run.

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The Authority Behind the Atmosphere.

Valencia isn't your typical historical novelist. With a degree in Philosophy and French and years spent living in Rome, Milan, and Tuscany, she brings a rare academic weight to her "Atmospheric Immersion" brand. Her niche, "Hidden Italy," is a departure from the sun-drenched clichés of the genre, focusing instead on the "stories concealed beneath Italy’s streets, churches, art, and philosophy".

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"Writing this second novel is my way of keeping my connection to Italy going," Valencia reflects, noting that after moving to Devon, she felt she had "almost lost that connection a bit" 

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From Debut Success to Career Momentum

Following the critical success of The Chestnut House, Valencia is pivoting toward what she describes as an "intellectual mystery" positioning. Her upcoming novel, The Philosopher’s Secret, takes readers into the heart of Renaissance Rome—a territory she aims to "own" just as Philippa Gregory owns the Tudors.

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Valencia is candid about her evolution as a writer, admitting her new work is "very different and better" than her debut, as she leans into a more "action-based" style.  This shift is part of a broader vision to be recognised not just for a single title, but as a definitive voice in the industry. "I would love my books in the future to be really successful... it would finally justify spending your whole working day writing," she says.

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Building a Digital "Destination"

Rather than simply marketing a book, Valencia is building an ecosystem. Her new website is envisioned as a "curated time capsule" or a magazine-style "immersive destination" where readers can explore Renaissance maps and archive photography.

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"I've already kind of got an idea for what the third one would be," she teases, signaling that her "Hidden Italy" project is only just beginning. For Valencia, the goal is clear: to transform from an invisible author into a trusted authority, ensuring that whenever a reader thinks of the secrets of Rome or the shadows of Tuscany, they think of her name