Today we get to know Tasha L. Harrison, author of The Lust Diaries series. She reveals the first book she was obsessed over, talks about life as an indie publisher, and offers insight into her unapologetic heroine of The Lust Diaries, Yves Santiago.
Tasha thank you for visiting with us. Please tell readers three things we should know about you.
- I write filth. I enjoy writing filth more than anything else. I write the stories that I want to read; stories about people of color that are so difficult to find in mainstream romance.
- I’m kind of a gypsy. I’ve lived a bunch of places, but I don’t really call any one place home. Home can be anywhere as long as my boys, my hubbie and my boxer pup Cassius are there.
- I’m kind of an introvert (aren’t most writers?), but if you give me a beer or whiskey or chicken wings, I will become the life of the party!
Every great writer is also an avid reader. So when did you first fall in love with books? What prompted you to become a storyteller?
The first book I remember being completely obsessed about was Charlotte’s Web. I must have checked that book out no less that fifteen times. I still love that story.
I think I have always been a writer, but I first tried my hand at storytelling in middle school when I drew and wrote a comic strip for myself and my best friend at the time. They were mostly tales of boy crushes and winning the yearly talent show (which we often did. I could dance back then too 🙂 After that I wrote quite a few poems and short stories, but I didn’t begin writing seriously until my late twenties.
Tell us about the premise of The Lust Diaries and your heroine Yves Santiago?
Yves Santiago is a the kind of unapologetic woman who lives her life full out. After being in an abusive relationship, she is just learning what she wants from relationships and how to love again. The Lust Diaries is her journey to finding a love that is the right fit for her.
You’re both the author and the publisher of The Lust Diaries. What do you love most about being an indie author? What do you find most challenging?
I tried submitting my books to traditional publishers and after numerous rejections, I just found that process too soul crushing to repeat again. At the time, self-publishing was becoming more common and I figured I would try my hand at it. The learning curve is steep and things are always changing, but I wouldn’t trade being an indie author for any other form of publishing. Wearing all of the hats is overwhelming at times (especially when it comes to marketing and promotion), but honestly, I like the fact that whatever success I gain is because I did the work. I love being an authorpreneur!
What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m currently working on Having it Both Ways which is book 3 of The Lust Diaries. I have two more novels planned in this “world” and then I plan to write a few standalones because writing a series is EXHAUSTING.
Thanks for being with us today, Tasha, and good luck with the rest of your tour.
Thanks!
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