Ilana Diallo

Novelist | Historical Fiction Storyteller | Holistic Health & Wellness Coach | Psychology & Human Behavior

Stories that remember. Words that endure.

 

Ilana Diallo is a novelist, storyteller, and holistic health and wellness professional whose work explores the complexities of the human experience, the resilience of the human spirit, and the stories that often exist beyond the pages of recorded history.

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As the creative voice behind The Unquiet Places, Ilana brings readers into the haunting landscapes of Southern and Northern Gothic historical fiction, with a particular focus on African American history, ancestral memory, identity, racial injustice, survival, and the enduring connections between generations.

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Her storytelling moves beyond traditional historical narratives, weaving together emotional depth, literary imagination, historical research, and elements of folklore and the supernatural. Through characters shaped by love, loss, sacrifice, injustice, and resistance, she explores not only what people have endured, but what they have preserved, passed down, and refused to surrender.

 

For Ilana, storytelling is an exploration of the human condition. The silences within families, the weight of inherited experiences, the search for belonging, and the courage required to reclaim one's identity are themes that connect her literary work with her professional pursuits.

 

Beyond the Written Word

Ilana holds bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Holistic Health and is the founder of Simply Living Whole, a holistic health and wellness coaching practice dedicated to supporting individuals navigating chronic illness, emotional wellness, life transitions, and the challenges of maintaining well-being in an ever-changing world.

 

Her professional background includes integrative health and wellness coaching, community health, health education, patient navigation, and whole-person wellness support. Her approach recognizes the intricate relationships between physical health, mental and emotional well-being, personal history, cultural experiences, and the social circumstances that shape people's lives.

 

Through her coaching, she helps individuals develop greater self-awareness, strengthen their ability to navigate challenges, and pursue sustainable, meaningful changes in their lives.

 

Although her literary and wellness work serve different purposes, both are rooted in a shared philosophy: every person has a story, every experience carries meaning, and understanding the past can deepen our understanding of ourselves.

 

Ilana is also the founder of Simply Inspired Words Publishing, an independent publishing endeavor dedicated to meaningful storytelling, creative expression, and literary works that invite reflection and connection.

 

Through The Unquiet Places, she seeks to create a literary home for stories that illuminate overlooked histories, honor the complexity of human lives, and remind readers that the past is never quite as silent as it seems.

Some stories are whispered. Others refuse to be forgotten.