Meet Audriana Yasmeen
Tell us a bit about your journey as a writer.
Well, to be honest, I never planned on being a writer. I’m an African American author, and I write Southern Gothic, but this entire journey only started about six months ago. It was born out of necessity. I had a severe back injury that left me laid up at home, and the world started to shrink. I just had this deep need to create something, to feel productive needed needed somewhere to express my knowledge lol you know aunty stuff.
My first step was a bit of a misstep, actually. I signed up for a class that was all about using AI to churn out books. The instructor's big line was, “Just get your book out—people will buy it.” It didn't take long to realize he was selling software, not sharing wisdom. It was a hustle. I salvaged what I could from that experience and then hit the books myself, researching how the publishing world works.
What was your biggest writing mistake?
Leaning on AI in the beginning. As I mentioned, I stumbled into that world first and just didn't know any better. But you learn, right? Since that initial fumble, I’ve completely changed my approach. I joined a fantastic horror writing group, Spawn of Nightmares. I wasn't even trying to write in the horror genre. I wanted to write about romance. I joined anyway, and it was the best decision I ever made.
It has been invaluable, and I've sworn off AI for the writing part. I write the stories. I don't allow the program to add to what I have written. I learned that you can use Etsy for clip art and Canva for covers. AI is a great tool to use when you are starting out. It helps you sift through information; it teaches with the analysis about plot points. As I got better and learned new things, I used graphic artists from Black Girl Can Write Too!. We have very talented people there. Joy Caldwell and Erica Zarieff are wonderful people and artists. I purchased the cover I have for the 13th from Erica. And made the cover for Mary Vance’s Bleeding Heart Grimoire. But Joy Caldwell brought Mary to life with the video.
I also just learned how to use an outline, and it made a world of difference in my writing. My focus now is on growing as an artist. I’ve been taking some incredible online classes through Domestika—one on immersive storytelling really blew my mind. It’s all been about finding my voice and learning how to craft stories with intention.
Tell us about your new book.
I’m so excited about this. My debut novella, Mary Vance’s Bleeding Heart Grimoire, will release on July 26th.
The story centers on Dr. Mary Vance, a gifted medical student who leads a clandestine life. Motivated by the murder of her mother and aunt, she uses a unique combination of ancestral magic and clinical precision to systematically enact her revenge on those responsible. She operates under the belief that she is an autonomous agent of justice, in full control of her mission.
The protagonist is thus thrust into a dangerous conspiracy where she is no longer the hunter, but a pawn in a game of power that she is only beginning to understand. To survive, she must delve into the true nature of her inherited abilities and confront a complex web of betrayal. The question becomes whether she can seize control of her own destiny or if she will ultimately become the weapon her manipulators intended to create.
It’s polished, sharp, and I promise it packs a punch.
And that’s just the beginning. After the novella, I’m diving into a dark fantasy romance series called The 13th Grimoire. It invites you into a darkly enchanting parallel dimension, where familiar lore takes a thrillingly sinister turn. Prepare for a rich, steamy dive into ancestral magic, complex relationships, and the shadows lurking beneath a world you thought you knew.
How do you choose your book titles?
The title is never the first thing , for me; it has to earn its place. I need to live with the story for a while, usually getting about four chapters deep before I even hear what it wants to be called. I might get a whisper during the outlining phase, but the correct title always emerges from the fog during the writing and editing. One day, it just clicks into place, and I know—that’s it. That’s the name.
What’s your biggest publishing achievement so far?
Getting eight of my short horror stories published in Spawn of Nightmares. That was everything to me. It was the first time I really put my work out there and got that validation. It was proof that I could do this, that my stories had a home. That experience taught me so much about the craft and, more importantly, about having the guts to keep pushing forward.
What genre do you enjoy reading but don’t write in?
I love a good young adult novel. I can get lost in them. But I could never write one. My voice, my themes… they’re just too intense, too grown. I have a natural pull toward the deeper, darker corners of human experience, and the stories I need to tell just don’t fit in the YA space.
How do you approach romance or emotional scenes?
With raw honesty. I have to dig into my life—the good, the bad, the moments that left scars. I pull from those actual experiences and relationships, and then I weave in imagination and research to build the scene. The goal is always to make the emotion feel true enough to touch. If it feels forced or fake, it gets cut. It has to be real.
Do you take part in any writing communities?
Absolutely, writing can be a lonely road, so community is essential. I’m active in Ladies of Doom and Spawn of Nightmares. Being surrounded by other writers, especially in the horror space, is a significant change. It’s where you get motivated, where you find room to grow. We trade ideas, give honest feedback, and basically just keep each other going.
Black girls can write too! Also, they have been a big part of my journey. They have a lot of legal information that you need to know.
How do you balance writing with everyday responsibilities?
It's a constant juggle, that's for sure. My life is full. Between a part-time job, a ton of doctor's appointments, and a personal weight-loss journey, my schedule is packed. But you make time for what you love. I protect my weekends—especially Sundays—for my husband. During the week, I snatch writing time wherever I can find it. It’s not about having a perfect, rigid schedule; it’s about finding a rhythm that lets you live your life and feed your passion.
If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
Oh, I’d still be in customer service. That’s where I work part-time. Let’s be real: being an author has costs, and publishing isn’t free. That day job is what pays the bills and gives me the freedom to build this dream. It’s the reality of a working artist.
How do you want to be remembered as a writer?
As a storyteller, who wasn't afraid to tell the truth. I want my stories to linger, to get under your skin and make you think long after you've closed the book. I'm not here to preach, but I want you to walk away with something — a new question, a different perspective, a deeper understanding of the shadows. My goal is to write stories that matter, stories that leave a mark.
What would you like to say to your readers?
First, thank you. Seriously. If you’ve ever picked up one of my stories, I see you, and I am so grateful. For those who read my early work, you were with me when I was still finding my sea legs. Those stories were my training ground. Now, something has shifted. I’ve learned to get out of the way and let the characters speak for themselves. I think you'll feel the difference in my new novella. My promise to you is that I will never stop growing, never stop pushing myself, and never stop trying to deliver stories that feel like they were pulled from real life.
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