Author Interview "Sonya Lindsay"
Sonya Lindsay is a self-published author, plus size model and host of a new online talk show, Curvy Conversation only available in The SIIKETV Network. Sonya was raised in the outskirts of Philadelphia, in the city of Chester, PA. Her education includes attending undergraduate school at Waynesburg University where she acquired her Bachelor’s in Math and graduate school at Strayer University for her Master’s in Business. She began her writing career in 2014 when she started a blog on Tumblr.com. named after her first book, Penetration for the Mind. As readers engaged into her writing, many gave great feedback by showing more interest in a possible book. She quickly began working on her first novel. Ever since Sonya was a teenager, she enjoyed reading which included authors such as Omar Tyree, Eric Jerome Dickey, Terry McMillan and Zane to name a few. Their books were like movies and each page kept the reader wanting more. The first book by an African American writer she owned was FLY GIRL. She fell in love with the character because she saw a reflection of herself as a young woman starting college. Sonya enjoyed each authors’ ability to write about more than just relationships, but also their books brought mysteries and suspense mixed with love and sex.
Her own inspiration to write comes from personal experiences mixed with fantasies as well as every day relationships that can be seen on TV and social media. Society today has become very sexual and more open to sexuality. Many people today use social media as an outlet to express their thoughts. She uses her writing in ways to express her thoughts and fantasies. Her writing allows her to let any insecurities take a back seat and create strong women characters who aren’t afraid to go after their hearts desires. She wants the readers to be able to picture themselves as the woman or man in the stories and for the character to come to life in their minds. Even inspire them to be more open and creative within their own lives and experiences.
Sonya has published 2 novels of erotic short stories, Penetration for the Mind and Mind Games while recently venturing into online television with her highly anticipated show Curvy Conversation highlighting conversations about love, sex, relationships and curvy fashion with guests in the local community premiering on live.SiikeTV.com. Guests have ranged from plus size models, clothing designers, writers, business owners to comedians. Sonya’s books are available for e-books, paperback or hardcover format on iTunes, Books2Read.com, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
Exclusive Interview
Please tell our readers a little about each of your books and the inspiration behind them.
I have read many erotic books over the years. Omar Tyree, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Zane are 3 of my favorite African American writers who inspired me to write my stories which started as a blog online.
My first book, Penetration for the Mind, was inspired by my personal relationship struggles. I began writing the stories as I was going through a separation and divorce. Each main character has some emotional high point in the story, which many of the emotions I could relate to throughout my break-up, and then getting back onto the dating scene. I also was inspired by people I knew who were single or who had been in long term relationships. Penetration for the Mind is a great read for singles or couples and is filled with exciting stories of love, lust, and passion.
Mind Games was inspired by the exploration of unconventional love which many stories included women in their mid-thirties. Each story has a strong woman main character who goes after what she wants. Mind Games explores the relationship of same sex, an older woman with a younger man, inter-racial relationship, and it even touches on a woman who overcomes an abusive relationship. Many of the characters are inspired by the many women that I have met over the years from people I have met through networking and other women who I have befriended. In my second book, you get insight on what can happen when you give into your lustful thoughts and just live life.
What are you looking for your readers to get out of your books?
I would like readers to free their mind and engage their thoughts into the “what ifs”. Both books are a great escape from the regular everyday life which may consist of work, school, kids, family and other routines we as busy adult get lost in. The stories are short enough to read within one setting and many have surprise endings. The stories in each book give scenarios on different relationships from married couples to singles looking for love or those getting their heart broken. The stories also give great ideas to help spice up a relationship or inspire someone who may be looking for love. I want the women or men to feel confident in who they are and take a chance on love and live life to the fullest.
I have to ask: have you lived out any of the fantasies you write about?
I have to say that I have had experienced some of the sexual fantasies that are in my books. I use some personal experiences as inspiration to create a more outlandish storylines. I was married at the young age of 25 and I met my ex when I was 23 right out of college. We were together for almost 7 years. In my thirties, I began to explore what I like and really learn more about myself. I became more comfortable with my sexuality and my body.
Is there anything sexual you won’t write about?
I could never write anything sexual that has to do with children or animals. Those things would not be anything that I could relate to or be comfortable exploring. Anything with children in a sexual content is just off limits for me.
Have critics or censors ever given you a hard time because of all of the sex in your books?
I have been turned down for certain events because of the context of my books. I do understand erotica isn’t for everyone. I am comfortable with discussing sex, but it does not always fit into certain venues which may be more family oriented or religious. I also have to be conscious about how I advertise on social media because there are censors on what I can say in the post which can be denied or taken down if it is too sexual.
What does your family think about you writing erotica? Are they very supportive?
My close family has been very supportive. My mother has been one of my biggest fans. At first, I felt a little bashful when I published my first book to have my mother read it. Then, I remembered she lived and is a woman just like myself. She raised me to be independent and to go after my goals. My oldest brother was a big fan of mine as well. He recently passed away suddenly in January 2018 but had bought multiple copies of my first book and promoted me often. My oldest sister is my designated assistant at my book signings. My family didn’t shame me for writing erotica and it’s a great feeling to have their support.
On a more personal note: Tell us a little about your “real” (non-writing) life — family, job, hobbies, etc.
Outside of writing, I have a 9-5 working for a financial firm. It’s not as exciting, but it pays the bills right now. I am in a loving relationship which is still new and exciting. I don’t have any children yet, but I have many nieces and nephews I love to be around and spoil. Also, I have an online talk show that is coming out soon. The show is called Curvy Conversation which highlights local entrepreneurs, entertainers, plus size models and more mixed with relationship talk. The show will premiere on live.SiikeTV.com. I have also done some plus size modeling locally in the Philadelphia area. When I am home relaxing, I enjoy movies outside of books and writing. I am a big fan of the super hero movies especially.
In addition to your writing, you’re a plus size model and talk show host. How do these work experiences factor into your writing?
Modeling has been such an exciting time for me. I have been able to meet many different women over the past 2 years who share different stories and inspire me to create new characters. As a plus size model, I am able to network and use many of the photos for promotion. I was also able to use my own photo as the cover of Mind Games. My talk show was inspired from my books. I had done an interview on a different show for the network. At the time, I was not even thinking about creating my own show. I was only focused on promoting my books. The producer of the show, however, felt I had a great presence and thought my books would be a great subject matter. My talk show allows me to get different points of views on relationships. My guests have included single men and women who some say they are focused on their work while others have tried dating websites to find a mate and married women who are learning to balance their relationship with their business.
There seems to be a current culture of body shaming happening nowadays. Women are being told they are too fat, too skinny, too light, too dark, and etc. What advice would you give to women who may be struggling with self-image?
My advice I would give women who may be struggling with self-image is something I had to learn over the years. It’s not about what other people say. There will always be opinions given when you never even asked for one. You must find the beauty from within and let that light shine inside out. Once you are comfortable and confident with your flaws and realize your imperfections is what makes you beautiful, it doesn’t matter what others say.
Where do you see erotic fiction going in the next ten years?
I can see my stories turning into either a play or TV series. Something like what Zane did years ago with her show, Zane’s Sex Chronicles, she had on primetime TV. Also, within the next ten years I plan to write more full novels and expand my erotic fiction into suspense and action.
What advice do you have for any aspiring authors reading this interview?
Some advice I would give to aspiring authors is to do research. There are a lot of resources available if you want to self-publish. Also, get used to social media because it is a great way to reach readers and network with others. I would also take writing classes as well. Last March I did an online writing class with the author, Zane. She has a lot of experience writing and gave me helpful information and directed me to a lot of free online resources. I didn’t go to school for writing, so taking a creative writing course was helpful for me.
What makes erotic fiction unique among other genres and why should readers who have never read erotica before check out your books?
Erotic fiction is unique because many times you have to be creative with the dialogue and description of the sexual content. I have had many of my customers tell me “I could never write that kind of stuff” or “You’re brave for publishing that kind of book”. Erotic fiction has to be more than just about sex but be able to tell a story and keep the readers attention with the characters just like other genres. My books are relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship. There are different struggles that we go through when in love. If you have never read erotica before, my books are a great way to ease yourself into the genre. The stories give enticing tales of being spontaneous, taking a chance on love, getting your heart broken and finding someone to put the pieces back together, or just wanting someone to please you sexually without the attachment. These stories will have you wanting more from the married couples trying to spice up their relationship to the single women and men looking for love but finding lust. Each story gets steamer than the last so get comfortable and enjoy the tales of spontaneous, exciting, and passionate sexual adventures. I believe I do a great job with giving a balance of telling a story and including steamy sex scenes to keep the reader intrigued for more. Sometimes sex can be dangerous, so you never know how the stories may end.
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
I am working on my first full novel. I haven’t decided on a title yet. I am still creating the characters and building up the plot. The storyline is based on an unhappily married women who falls in love with a younger man. Her lover plots with the wife to steal the husband’s money so they can run away together. However, things never go as planned. The book will be filled with sexual adventures that become dangerous and deadly.
I have completed my first season of Curvy Conversation this spring and it will be premier soon on live.SiikeTV.com while building my guest list for season two. I am also building up a company for self-publishing authors called Git Lit Publishing. The company is myself and another writer, J’keera Stephens. We are looking to offer services to help other self-published authors get their books out which included editing services and e-book publishing. We have resources we gathered through our own process of self-publishing that can be shared. The best way to contact us for more information is to reach us on Instagram or Facebook.
Visit her website at www.authorsonyalindsay.com
Connect with Sonya on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSonyaLindsay
Email: authorsonyalindsay@gmail.com