The Sound of Violet: 10th Anniversary Edition: Received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
The Sound of Violet: 10th Anniversary Edition: Received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.Following find an interview with author Allen Wolf:
1. What is the name of the book and when was it published? The Sound of Violet: 10th Anniversary Edition was released on November 11, 2025, in both print and audiobook formats.
2. What’s the book’s first line? “Shawn’s legs tangled as a flash of red caught his peripheral vision—a tourist’s jacket whipping in the wind.”
3. What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”. Shawn believes he has found his soulmate, but his autism keeps him from realizing she’s beeing trafficked.
4. What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event? The inspiration came from a conversation with a friend about the challenges of dating in Los Angeles when I was single. I was often naïve and overly trusting, and I built those qualities into Shawn’s character. Initially, I wrote Violet as the typical “empowered prostitute” you see in movies. But after researching and talking to organizations that fight trafficking, I discovered that women in prostitution are most often victims of trafficking. This realization dramatically changed how I portrayed Violet, altered the entire story, and ignited a passion in me to spread awareness about this critical issue.
5. What’s the main reason someone should really read this book? This story is about the extraordinary power of unconditional love to transform lives, the courage it takes to truly see another person beyond surface appearances, and the belief that everyone deserves to be seen and valued. It’s also an entertaining read! Readers have told me it’s hard for them to put it down.
6. What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who—real or fictional—would you say the character reminds you of? Shawn has autism and synesthesia—he experiences colors as sounds, which creates this beautiful, unique way of perceiving the world around him. He’s naïve, genuinely trusting, and has this pure heart that sees past people’s circumstances to who they really are. His most distinctive quality is his ability to love unconditionally without judgment. He doesn’t remind me of a specific character—he’s really his own person, shaped by the qualities I built into him from my own dating experiences and informed by conversations with people in the autism community.
7. When did you first decide to become an author? I came to novel writing through filmmaking, actually. I’m a filmmaker first, I graduated from NYU film school, and I’ve always been a storyteller across different mediums. The Sound of Violet is my debut novel, but the story felt so important that it needed to exist both as a book and as a film. I wrote, directed, and produced the movie adaptation that came out in 2022.
8. Is this the first book you’ve written? Yes, The Sound of Violet is my debut novel, though this 10th Anniversary Edition is completely revised and expanded. I’ve been telling stories for years through films and even board games—I’ve created five award-winning games that have brought joy to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide—but this was my first venture into novel writing.
9. What do you do for work when you’re not writing? I’m a filmmaker and lead a group for entertainment professionals, Navigating Hollywood, which facilitates open discussions and book readings at major Hollywood studios, including Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures. I also host the Navigating Hollywood podcast, which ranked the #6 most popular film interview podcast in the U.S.
10. How much time do you generally spend on your writing? I’m an early morning writer—I typically start around 4 AM. Those quiet hours before my family wakes up are when I can focus without interruptions.
11. What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie? The best part is the creative freedom. I can tell the stories that matter to me without compromise and ensure authentic representation of important issues such as autism and human trafficking. The hardest part is wearing all the hats. I’m not just the writer, but also the marketer, the event coordinator. It requires entrepreneurial spirit and persistence, but it’s worth it when the story reaches people who need it.
12. What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors? Don’t just write what you think will sell. Write what sets your heart on fire. The stories that change lives are those where the author cares deeply enough to do the research, revise courageously, and tell the truth even when it’s difficult. Also, build genuine relationships in your community and industry. Success as an indie isn’t just about the quality of your book. It’s about connecting with readers authentically.
13. Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why? I’d be open to it for the right project, especially if a traditional publisher could help amplify the story’s reach.
14. Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?) My primary motivation is to use creativity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives, whether through my work in Hollywood, creating stories that raise awareness of important issues, or helping people see and value others more deeply. I’m motivated by the stories I hear from readers who say the book changed how they understand autism, or from people who became aware of trafficking because of the story. That impact matters more than fame or fortune.
15. Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire? I’m drawn to writers who create authentic human characters dealing with messy, complicated situations, writers who balance humor with heartbreak because that’s what real life is like. I admire authors who don’t need fantastical settings to hook you; they need authentic human emotion and the courage to explore uncomfortable truths. Writers who help us understand people better and see the world differently.
16. Which book do you wish you could have written? I wish I could answer this with a specific title, but honestly, I’m more focused on the stories I still need to write than looking back at what others have created. Every writer has their unique voice and perspective to offer. My goal is to write stories that only I can write. Stories that reflect my specific experiences, passions, and calling to shine light on issues that matter.