Lust Bites Magazine Diversity Issue Edition 2

So, because we know that with Rebekah Weatherspoon
comes the mouthwatering FIT Trilogy! (Keira and Daniel
RULE!) Tell me how it felt to have FIT win the RT
Award and SATED nominated for the 2015 RT Award?
It felt great, but I don’t think I’ve thoroughly taken
time to process it. When I won the RT Award last year
I was just excited to be in Dallas and praying that I
didn’t trip up the stairs on my way to the stage. After
I was just happy to see so many authors in person for
the first time. It was a great girls night out. As for the
nomination for SATED, I’m just happy that people like
it so much. Win or lose, I’m just happy to be recognized
for one of my favorite couples.
Tell me more about SO SWEET. That cover is absolutely
beautiful in its simplicity and colors.
SO SWEET was a blast to write. I’d just come back
from the 2015 RWA conference in NYC so I wasn’t
sure if my brain was up for another book so soon, but
Michael and Kayla were very cooperative.
How did you come up with the idea of using a online
dating site matching up women with sugar daddies?
I have no idea. HA! My cover artist who did the great
covers for the FIT books asked me to write something
for her. She gave me one prompt—younger black
woman, older white man— and I ran with it.
Okay, so I’ve been following your books, and I’m looking
forward to Soul to Keep. Lesbian Romance isn’t always
boosted up the way I believe it should be. What inspired
you to write this story?
Well Soul to Keep is book 3 in my vampire series. In
the previous books other characters dislike Jill and
Tokyo, independently and for very different reasons,
and they don’t even really talk to each other. I liked the
idea of two people who have no real friends finding
love with each other. And then there’s vampire stuff.
You did something this year that really caught our attention.
You created WOCInRomance, which promotes,
shares, and give love to Women in Color writing romance,
books, and the readers. Why did you start this?
I was seeing that white authors can write anything
and it’s fine. People started talking about diversity and
white women in romance were having no problem
getting their books with black or Asian characters to
print with major publishers, so I knew it wasn’t about
the characters, it was about the authors. I wanted to
create a place to promote our books. Make it easier for
readers to find us and make easier for us to find each
other.
Where can we learn more about WOCInRomance?
Right now twitter is the best place. @WocInromance,
books right at your fingertips. We’ll be launching a full
website later this month.
Why do you think it’s necessary for WOC Authors to
come together and support each other?
Well I think it’s important for all authors to support
each other really. None of us can supply the whole
world with books single handedly. Even the Nora’s and
the Brenda Jacksons of the world need a break. But
unfortunately discrimination is a very real thing and
you have to come together with like minded/situated
people to get over the rough spots.
Have you faced any struggles as an author of diversity?
Yes, but they’re same struggles I face every day as
a black woman. It bleeds into publishing just like it
bleeds into anything else.
What advice would you give to other authors who are
Indie?
Don’t give up. Pay attention. Research. Read, for the
love of god read. Get a copy editor, or pay your English
teacher sister in cookies to read your stuff. Get a
good cover artist. Don’t give up.
What events will you be going to this year?
For sure, I will be at the RT Convention in Las Vegas.
Any more WIPs or more series that you have in store for
us all?
SO RIGHT, Michael and Kayla’s next story should be
out by June. Fingers crossed.
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