Explore how trauma and memory intertwine within psychological thrillers, where internal fear eclipses external threats, and the mind becomes both protagonist and antagonist in a haunting dance of perception and survival.
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True impact comes from trusting your own internal compass. When choices align with your deeper purpose, your presence carries an undeniable authority that transforms success into something enduring. ❤️
Alana McKanion · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Alana
Alana McKanion is a Swiss-born author who has lived in the United States for over 15 years. She is best known for her award-winning psychological thriller Red Velvet, a novel that has received national and international recognition for its gripping exploration of human psychology, suspense, and emotional complexity. The success of the book has connected with readers globally and has opened opportunities for future expansion, including potential film adaptation. In addition to Red Velvet, she currently has four additional manuscripts prepared for publication.
Beyond her writing career, Alana is a PhD candidate whose academic research focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the development of innovative treatment approaches. Her work is driven by both scholarly interest and lived experience, with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for individuals affected by trauma. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is also a nonprofit founder, having established Sent by God, an organization that supports single mothers and dog shelters through faith-based apparel initiatives. Her multidisciplinary work reflects a deep dedication to healing, empowerment, and community impact.
Alana also has an extensive background in fashion modeling, having begun her career at the age of 13 and continuing to work in the industry over the years. In addition to her creative and academic roles, she is a mother, active day trader, and entrepreneur balancing multiple professional pathways. Raised in Switzerland and based in the United States for much of her adult life, she brings a global perspective to her work across literature, mental health research, and philanthropy, while continuing to pursue new opportunities in publishing and film development.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith, my courage, and my persistence. Because of my past traumas, I wanted to do something for others, to help other people who are struggling like I was in my past. I was treated very well in the United States, and I want to repay that kindness. Before reaching success, you are going to fail many times, so you just have to keep going. I've always been the mentor of myself, believing in my own path and not caring about what other people say.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Be yourself and keep going.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
In order to be an author, just believe in yourself and don't care about what other people say. Before you reach success, you are going to fail many times, so just keep going. I was always the mentor of myself, so do your best not to doubt yourself. For those interested in charitable work, one of the most important things we can do is share our richness with others. That's my belief.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think it's going pretty well now. I hope I can bring as many people as I can to love my books, my stories, my creations. On the nonprofit side, it's not my choice if people want to support me - I'm doing this with all my heart, hoping to bring people to God and to give that message to others.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is helping others who are struggling, which comes from my own experience with past traumas. I wanted to do something to help other people who are struggling like I was in my past. I believe one of the most important things we can do is share our richness with others. I was treated very well in the United States, and I want to repay that kindness. Through my nonprofit Sent by God, which I started seven years ago, I work to bring people to God and share that message while helping single moms and dog shelters. As a mom myself, I balance my roles as an author, PhD candidate, nonprofit leader, and day trader, all while staying true to my faith and commitment to service.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Alana
"Don't trust the person the trauma left behind."
The Haunting Dance Between Trauma, Memory, and the Fragile Architecture of the Mind
In the dimly lit corridors of the human psyche, some psychological thrillers weave a tapestry of fear, memory, and reality—threads entwined in a dance of ambiguity, each knot a whisper of the unfathomable. Here, terror does not emerge from the lurking shadows of external threats; rather, it stirs within, born of doubt and distorted perceptions—a haunting specter that questions the very reliability of our own minds.
Trauma, that heavy anchor, is intricately woven into this genre’s fabric, for the specters of past anguish seldom relinquish their hold. Sudden echoes of memory can break the stillness, rising like phantoms from the depths—flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and the sharp sting of emotional triggers. A familiar sound, a scent that stirs the soul, or a place imbued with years of history can unearth buried memories, casting shadows upon the present. In this labyrinth, one may find themselves adrift, struggling to disentangle the present from the echoes of yesteryear, engulfed by a sense of fragility and confusion.
Within this realm, psychological thrillers thrive on the tautness of uncertainty, crafting a disquieting atmosphere where every certainty is a flickering candle in the dark. Memories bleed into fear, unfinished and distorted, while trust—once a steadfast companion—crumbles into dust, eroding faith in others and in oneself. The mind becomes a tangled maze of repressed fears, stifled emotions, and unanswered questions, each turn echoing with the weight of past wounds.
Here, trauma shapes our perception of danger, transforming the mundane into a minefield of perceived threats. Hypervigilance and anxiety cloak the world in a shroud of trepidation, where every shadow and whispered conversation is imbued with ominous significance. The audience is left suspended in a delicate balance, pondering whether the lurking danger is a figment of imagination or a chilling reality.
At its core, the interplay of trauma and psychological suspense unveils the intricate dance between pain, loss, and fear, compelling the soul to confront haunting truths that linger just beyond reach. It reveals how emotional scars etch themselves into the very fabric of existence, shaping perception and weaving a narrative that is both horrifying and profoundly human. In this landscape, the true terror does not arise from monsters lurking in the dark or acts of violence, but from the enigmatic and often shadowy realms of memory, perception, and the struggle for psychological survival.
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