Elle Alexanda is a London-based storyteller who shares her life—and a questionable number of "thriving" houseplants—with her wife, Alexandra. A self-proclaimed sapphic romance addict, Elle's writing journey began at 16, crafting fan fiction for sapphic couples she felt deserved far more screen time. Her passion for authentic LGBTQ+ representation has driven her ever since. When she's not plotting fictional drama, Elle can usually be found binge-watching indie films, devouring her latest sapphic literary obsession, or exploring quirky cafés around London. By day, Elle is a multi-award-winning film director and producer, bringing stories to life both on screen and on the page. She's also a double black belt in martial arts—something that occasionally finds its way into her action-packed storylines. A strong believer in community and conversation, Elle cohosts The Sapphic Gays Podcast with her book editor, where they deep-dive into sapphic novels and media, sharing laughs, insights, and recommendations with fellow fans. Blood and Muscle is Elle's debut novel, born from her desire to craft a sapphic romance that the community would (hopefully) love—complete with high stakes, heart, and characters who feel like friends (or maybe a bit more than that). Through her work, Elle hopes to create stories that offer both escapism and representation, and she is passionate about amplifying sapphic voices in all forms of media.