Shape shifters, werewolves, and love o my! Writers come in different genres with different themes and messages to send off. It’s a deep sea of options that’s washes amongst the shore and into the hands of readers whose minds trails off into a world of make believe. Todays world we drift into comes from the mind of Zoe Ray. Look around, you might see a werewolf.
My Urban Books: Growing up what were people around you reading and what were you reading?
Zoe Ray: I don’t remember anyone around me reading. I, on the other hand, read everything I could get my hands on. I would read The Babysitters Club, Boxcar Children, everything R.L. Stine I could find, Sweet Valley High, and Judy Blume. I loved English class and reading classics was not homework to me. I enjoyed them. As I got older I discovered black authors like Omar Tyree, Carl Weber, and Beverly Johnson, and I sought as many books as I could find by black authors that looked interesting to me.
My Urban Books: Did you find yourself different as a teen or one who stood out? If yes how so?
Zoe Ray: I stood out because I was different. I was well-behaved. I participated in class, and everyonethought I was much smarter than I actually am. Everyone assumed I was shy, but I was quiet. I now know that I was an extroverted introvert.
My Urban Books: What are you hoping to obtain through your writing? What’s the top goal? Zoe Ray: I hope to provide an escape, something to keep readers enthralled. My goal is to make women feel good about themselves, about their lives, and about love.
My Urban Books: Out of all the genres how did you get into writing paranormal romance?
Zoe Ray: Paranormal romance reignited my love for reading and writing. After I wrote my first book, I stopped doing both. I think I had readers block and writers block. Before I started writing paranormal romance, I hadn’t even heard of it. I got into interactive reading apps and loved a story about werewolves so much that I had to read more. I became obsessed, and after reading a dozen books it dawned on me that I wanted to write paranormal romance for black women. I wanted to make women feel as good as I felt and I wanted black men to be looked at as the ideal perfect mates who loved and cherished their women, and I want women of all races to read these stories about black people and enjoy them.
My Urban Books: How does your stories connect to parts of yourself you don’t show the world?
Zoe Ray: In every way. My writing likely makes you feel something. It’s sensual and vivid. In person I don’t talk the way I write. You’d probably think this isn’t Zoe Ray, but it’s another side of me that comes out better through my imagination and my words.
My Urban Books: Do you remember the first person to read your work and their response? Tell us about it.
Zoe Ray: The first person to read my work was a friend from work. I had been writing this story, and I wanted someone to read it. It was an early version of He’s Mine Not Hers. The title was different then. He told me it was really good and that I was on to something. It was interesting and he couldn’t wait to read more. I had to ask at least twenty times if he was serious. I didn’t know what I was doing or how I was going to do it, but that’s when I had the idea to turn this story I was writing into a book.
My Urban Books: For people who may compare your works to let’s say Twilight what is your response?
Zoe Ray: I think Twilight is a popular reference, so it may be the only one some people know when it comes to paranormal romance. It doesn’t bother me, because it’s something that helps readers who don’t normally read the genre have an idea of what I write. I haven’t read Twilight, but I watched the movies. My books are more grown and sexy. My leading men are more assertive. My characters are sensual, primal, and more passionate.
My Urban Books: What does your family think about your writing?
Zoe Ray: My family doesn’t really read my writing, but they support me 100%, and I’m completely okay with that. They show up when I’m selling books at events. They encourage me. They tell people about my work, especially my mom and that’s what I need from them. I do have a sister who constantly pushes me to be better, and I’m thankful for her. The rest is up to me to get out here and find readers. I feel like I’m able to do that with their support and love.
My Urban Books: Please give aspiring authors one piece of advice.
Zoe Ray: Just write, and put your work out there. Some of us spend so much time thinking about trying to be perfect, that we don’t actually do. Experience is the best teacher we’ll ever have. I’ve gained so much by writing and figuring out how to publish my work, doing it all on my own, trying until I got it right, stumbling, falling, and getting back up and dusting myself off. Unfortunately, I’m still not perfect but I have so much knowledge of the industry, and I’m learning more everyday. I’m not a NYT bestseller yet, but there are readers who look forward to reading my books, and every day more people discover my work. They’re not looking for perfection. They’re looking for stories they can fall in love with. If I can do it, you can too.
My Urban Books Please tell readers where they can find your work.
Zoe Ray: My work is available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play.
