Lex.Btw.TheLines...

We sit down with Anna J, Octavia Grant, and Olivia Renee Wallace to unpack Vengeance, a thriller built around a funeral home legacy and a family inheritance that comes with rules, secrets, and consequences. We talk craft, research, and how three distinct writers create a single voice while still keeping the story wild, funny, and grounded. 
• how Vengeance is born through community connections and DMs 
• why trust matters more than writing sprints for co-authoring 
• building character profiles and letting characters drive the plot 
• using afterlife narration and flashbacks to reveal motive 
• shaping Celine and Solana as intentional opposites 
• researching funeral homes, crime details, and realism in thriller fiction 
• therapy and writing as a safe outlet for dark ideas 
• the meaning behind “Precision Is Key” as a professional code 
• real-life experiences with emergency departments, morgues, and funeral work 
• upcoming book events, exclusives, and new releases 
Be sure to come to the table and give me a hug. 

outro

We sit down with therapist and author Geletta Shavers to unpack the real emotions and ethical choices behind her Dragged Into Darkness books. We talk horror, trauma, bullying, manipulation, and how indie publishing lets her protect her voice while building a supportive author community. 
• how a mental health background shapes writing and boundaries around trauma 
• what inspires Jasmine’s vengeance arc without depicting sexual assault 
• why the victims face a 30-day countdown and what that choice signals 
• how the series shifts from horror into psychological thriller territory 
• Michael’s obsession, trauma, and the mental health lens behind his behaviour 
• the planned future of the series including Joe Evil’s origin and the mother’s final spotlight 
• why we choose indie publishing and what we learn about trust, editing, and logistics 
• how beta readers and ARC readers strengthen the bullying backstory and character motives 
• what Geletta Shavers is building next including The Black Castle horror concept 

So you can follow me on Facebook. It’s Geletta Shavers. On Instagram, it is author underscore Geletta underscore one two three. TikTok is at author Geletta Shavers. And also my website is GelettaPShavers.com.

outro

We talk with erotic romance author Skyline A. Millbow about writing My Kind of Love with heat, consent, and emotional weight after life changed her relationship to romance. We dig into Club Inana, character inspiration, indie publishing lessons, and what it takes to keep writing when the story keeps talking back. 
• moving from erotica reader to debut author and choosing erotic romance on purpose 
• writing infertility and a hysterectomy without defaulting to pregnancy tropes 
• building Club Inana as a consent-centred lifestyle club with clear boundaries 
• using research and beta readers for lifestyle and BDSM-adjacent accuracy 
• creating Enobi, Bronson, Zeke, and Jody from real experiences and friendships 
• shaping trauma scenes through developmental editing and lived grief 
• finding editors, ARC readers, and trustworthy collaborators through community 
• indie author realities: cover art, marketing, shipping, timelines, and scams 
• dealing with platform quirks like Amazon review changes 
• upcoming releases The Fall and Where I Sleep plus future ideas like The Eve Gene 
Make sure that you guys follow her across all her social media platforms 

outro

Get ready for a literary experience like no other! In this episode of Lex.Btw.TheLines, we’re sitting down with event coordinators Toni Larue and Tanisha Stewart to talk all things Licensed 2 Thrill one of the first-ever events dedicated to celebrating the brilliance of Black authors in thriller, horror, suspense, and speculative fiction.

We’re diving into everything you need to know before you go—from ticket sales and how to secure your spot, to insider details on what attendees can expect over this unforgettable two-day experience. Think powerful panels, meaningful networking, and a chance to connect with some of the most talented voices in the genre.

Whether you’re an avid reader, aspiring writer, or just love a good thrill, this episode is your official guide to why Licensed 2 Thrill is a can’t-miss event.

So go ahead—turn the volume up, get your tickets ready, and prepare to step into a world where suspense meets culture.

Keep turning those pages and your nose in a book. 📚🔥

outro

We trace Lex’s path from closed-door romance to dark romance and into horror, breaking down why anti-heroes, revenge arcs, and detailed prose changed how we read and review. We trade messy trope confessions, memory hacks for multi-reading, and how BookTok helped us show up on camera with our full voices.

• shifting from soft romance to dark romance, thrillers and horror
• why revenge horror and splatterpunk land on the page
• when spice enhances plot and when it distracts
• favorite tropes including enemies to lovers and secret baby
• reading anywhere with zero shame and some strategy
• DNF rules, mood reading and avoiding “homework” books
• note-taking, highlights and memory systems for multi-reading
• prepping author interviews with catalog deep dives
• BookTok as community, confidence and creative practice
• choosing formats, series styles and favorite narrators

You guys can find her on TikTok and Instagram and on Facebook as Lex Between the Lines. That’s BTW.

outro

We meet author Anna J, trace her path from urban drama to erotic thriller, and dig into how she builds unforgettable characters like Monica and Dylan. We unpack why representation matters, how warnings protect readers, and what’s coming next in her expanding thriller universe.

• creating the book she wanted to read when no one else was writing it
• designing Monica as a disruptive, cautionary force
• flipping zodiac traits to subvert character expectations
• crafting The Hunt as an erotic thriller with a Black lead
• balancing realism, terror and informed consent with trigger warnings
• using dialect and a glossary for authentic island voices
• co‑writing methods and pushing boundaries in Erotic Snapshots
• side projects including Big Back coloring books and Black‑centric journals
• previewing Copycat, a Morgan prelude and the name to remember, Zanaya
• rebuilding confidence after an eight‑year break and returning gloves off

Follow Anna on Facebook: author Anna J; Instagram: author Anna J; TikTok: scribeatphilly. “Type in Anna J. I’m on the Google, I’m on air.”

outro

Thriller author Toni LaRue shares her journey from urban fiction to becoming an NBCC-nominated author with several number one releases on Amazon. She discusses her meticulous character development process, representation challenges for Black thriller writers, and how she approaches trauma and emotional depth in her stories.

• NBCC-nominated thriller author with 10+ novels and multiple #1 Amazon releases
• Discovered thriller writing after reading Lisa Gardner's "The Other Daughter" during a graveyard shift
• Creates detailed character profiles before writing, including birthdays, traits, and preferences
• Works full-time with unhoused populations while maintaining her writing career
• "Juneteenth" explores themes of racial injustice and vigilante justice through emotional storytelling
• Emphasizes the importance of Black representation in thriller genres
• Uses trauma in her stories to humanize characters rather than glorify violence
• Upcoming novel "Safe House" features a domestic abuse survivor encountering serial killers
• Co-writing a Christmas horror anthology with Tanisha Stewart
• Believes thrillers offer realistic perspectives on life's uncertainties and unresolved situations

outro

Keira N James, bestselling indie thriller author, joins us to discuss her journey from a small town in Georgia to becoming a powerful voice in the thriller genre with 15 books under her belt.

• Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences to create what she calls "exaggerated realities"
• Transition from urban fiction to thriller writing after finding her voice in the "dark side of fiction"
• Finding success with bestsellers like "The Grave Mistake" and the spicy short story collection "Embodied"
• Challenging stereotypes about Black women and creating morally ambiguous characters readers can't help but root for
• Using writing as therapy to process personal experiences, especially in her military thriller "Love and War"
• Being part of "Black Women Who Write Thrillers" collective creating space for diverse voices in the genre
• Upcoming release of psychological novella "Orchid" on October 3rd
• Participating in the Black Book Bash in Jacksonville, Florida with her pen sisters

Follow Keira N James on Facebook at Keira N James and on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @TheKeiraNJames.

outro

Louisiana author Lakisha Burkett shares her journey from avid reader to published writer, revealing how personal experiences and her grandmother's stories shape her emotionally charged novels.

• Writing journey began with husband's support, who bought her first book cover
• Draws story inspiration from real-life experiences and family stories
• "Dear Diary" inspired by grandmother's stories, written in just one month
• Creates realistic endings that don't always resolve happily
• Book "Everybody Ain't Your Friend" based on a real toxic friendship
• Balances motherhood, working from home, and writing at her own pace
• Upcoming book "Let You Down" explores difficult choices when dreams clash with family obligations
• Writes part-time but aspires to potentially become a full-time author
• Husband is also writing a book series

Find Lakisha Burkett on Instagram at there_go_keisha, on TikTok as Arthur Lakisha Burkett, and on Facebook as LaKeisha Burton.

outro

In this episode, we explore the creative journey of Selena Brooks as she discusses her latest projects, including "Southern Sizzle" and the upcoming "Southern Scramble." Her insights provide a unique look into character development and the spice of Southern drama.

• Introduction and trigger warnings 
• Background of author Selena Brooks 
• Overview of "Southern Sizzle" and its impact 
• Insight into "Southern Scramble" and character relationships 
• Discussion of drama and romance intertwined in storytelling 
• Exploration of reader expectations and tropes used 
• Engagement with marketing strategies and influencers 
• Selena's thoughts on balancing personal experiences in writing 
• Future projects and where to follow Selena Brooks 

outro