Dominique Black

Can you introduce yourself to my readers in your own words?

Hey! Well, my name is Dominique Black. I would consider myself a free-spirit and if I had the option, I would spend the rest of my life traveling, writing, and exploring the world. I have a degree in Human Services. I’m a mom of two sons: 21 and 15. I’m obsessed with the color purple. I’m a Gemini (May 21st) I love reading and writing of course. My favorite food is pasta. I hate cooking. Love baking when I feel inclined to do it.

What first inspired you to write romance? Do you remember your "aha!" moment?

I grew up reading urban romance and street lit, so I’ve always had a love for reading raw, gritty, and authentic Black love stories. I think my “aha” moment was reading Donald Goines “Black Girl Lost” when I was eleven. I was way too young to read it, but my grandma had a few of his novels. I visited one summer, picked it up and I was transformed in that moment. It’s a HARD read for sure, but it is such an amazing piece of literature. The story, the grit, the authenticity, but most importantly, the love that those two young people had for each other just blew my mind. To this day it is still one of my top three favorite books and it’s not number three.

Were there books or authors who made you fall in love with Black romance in particular?

Ashley Antoinette, she is literally my writing goals. I have been a fan of hers forever and she got me out of a ten-year reading slump. The Coldest Winter Ever and Flyy Girl are required reading for the OG urban romance readers and they both heavily influenced my earlier writing when I started in middle school. Noire. Keisha Ervin. K’wan, (LOVE HIM) Eric Jerome Dickey (RIP) and Carl Weber. There have been more, but these are the authors and books that really fed my soul.

How would you describe your writing style and the kind of love stories you tell?

I would describe it as prose heavy and metaphorical. I want you to feel like you’re in the room with them and experiencing everything they’re feeling. My objective is always to make the reader feel something. Anger. Happiness. Desire. Hurt. Humor. At some point I want you to become so immersed that you forget that these characters are fictional. That’s when I know I’ve done my job.

What themes (healing, family, ambition, etc.) tend to show up in your stories the most?

Healing for sure. Redemption. Love. Family. Conflict, because for me… I love a dramatic story, so I’m going to insert some kind of internal or external conflict for my characters. They gon’ go through something! But they’ll figure it out. I love a strong MMC who doesn’t play about his woman or his family. And I love a boss-type FMC who secures her own bag. Her money is for her, and his money is for THEM. I love a happily ever after too.

Which of your characters has stayed with you the longest, and why?

Moses “Mo” Garrison from Sage & Sin. Believe it our not, Mo is my alter ego. I’ve always felt like I had a thug in me. Mo is such a complex character. He’s irrational, violent, impulsive, and homicidal. But…on the other hand, he’s deeply protective, kind, charismatic, funny, generous, and loving. Creating the nuances of him challenged me because he’s not a man I would root for in any other circumstances, but when you get to know him in The South-Hurst Syndicate Series, you end up loving him. Crazy and all.

What's one book of yours you'd recommend as a "first cozy intro" for new readers?

I don’t know if my current books could be described as cozy, lol, but I would suggest Velvet & Venom for a true urban romance and Unapologetically Fierce if you’re looking for a drama-filled, obsessive love story.

Do you have a favorite romance trope you love writing (or reading)?

I’m open to reading and writing all kinds of Black love stories so I don’t have a favorite.

Who's your ultimate book bae—one you've written OR one from another author's work?

I wholeheartedly love all my MMC’s from my books. But if I had to choose, it would be King from Velvet & Venom, D. Lowe from Shadow Games and Barz from the Unapologetically series. From another author, definitely Ezra “Ethic” Okafor from the Ethic series by Ashley Antoinette—I would take a football to the head for that man. And Animal from the Animal series by K’Wan.

If your books were snacks or drinks, what would they be and why? (Yes, we're that cozy over here).

My books would be brown liquor. For real. You’re going to have a great time, but after too many shots, you’re going to get in your feelings, maybe cry and possibly end up cussing somebody out. But…you like the vibes, so you’ll be back. As for food, it would definitely be soul food. Nourishing, Black AF and with a sprinkle of everything.

What can readers expect next from you? Any upcoming projects we should be hyped for?

Yes! I’m only doing standalones this year. So, my next book, Have Mercy is slated for release late February. It’s about a misandrist who is a female assassin. In Spring I’ll be releasing the finale to the Unapologetically Series: Unapologetically Bold. Summer will be a follow-up for The South-Hurst Syndicate Series. It’s called: South-Hurst: Blood & Bonds. Fall will be an erotica, Paid in Pleasure under my pseudonym—Meka I’Tina. And I may have a winter release but I’m not sure yet.

Where can readers connect with you online (social media, website, newsletter)?

I’ll be honest, I literally just created an Instagram, and I hardly ever post on it. I barely post on Facebook. I’m partial to TikTok so I post on there more than the other socials but I’m trying to get better at it this year.

Instagram: @authoressdominiqueblack

Facebook: Meka I’Tina

TikTok: Author Dominique Black

What's your personal cozy reading setup—blanket, candle, music, snacks? Paint the picture.

It changes depending on my mood or what I’m writing. But typically, in the daytime I’ll have a comfort show on in the background, usually Family Guy or Boondocks. A big cup of coffee and a scented candle. At nighttime I usually write in bed, I’ll have some music playing—R&B, lo-fi or jazz music. Of course, a few candles and my nightstand lamp because I can’t stand writing at night with bright lights.

Finally, what does "Black love" mean to you in three words?

Revolutionary. Intentional. Magical.

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