Erika Latanya, Founder and CEO of Dear Diary Publishing, is a serial storyteller who hails from the Washington, D.C. metro area. Her love for writing started at the early age of eight-years-old when she received her very first diary. From then on, she penned short stories and poetry. Erika expresses that writing is a form of therapy. It gives her the opportunity to express and share her imagination with the world.
With nine titles under her belt, this D.C. native is writing her own destiny. Learn more about her below.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher?
Erika: I’m very down to earth. I love traveling and experiencing life. I’m outgoing and spontaneous, but I’m also quiet and a homebody. I adapt accordingly.
Fancy: What makes Erika, Erika?
Erika: The woman I am is what makes me Erika Latanya. I’m kind-hearted, compassionate and caring. I’ll give my last and I fight for what I believe in.
Fancy: So you started writing in your diary when you were eight and fell in love with writing. What did you like to write about back then?
Erika: Back then, I loved to write about hopeful wishes and boys. Lol, I also wrote about things that went on in school, things that bothered me.
Fancy: Who gave you your first diary?
Erika: My mom gave me this pretty pink diary with a plastic gold key.
Fancy:So tell us about your latest book, “All I Want for Christmas is Himâ€. What inspired it?
Erika: “All I Want for Christmas Is Him†was inspired by a heartbreak I was going through at the time.
Fancy: As a writer, I know often times our writings are inspired by the people and events around us. Do you find yourself creating characters or plots from fragments of your surroundings?
Erika: Yes, I sure do. There’s always a story within a situation.
Fancy: So what genre are your books categorized within?
Erika: My books are categorized within both fiction and non-fiction.
Fancy: While looking over your book titles, I noticed that some were presented under other names. Are those your entities too? Did you change your business name?
Erika: Yes. In the early stages of my career, I wrote under my full name. I later went on to rebrand, and I changed the use of my name to just my first and middle.
Fancy: Do you have a regular writing method? If so, please share.Â
Erika: I write if I feel led. Every now and then I’ll spend the entire day writing. I’ll take breaks in between.
Fancy: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?
Erika: I just launched my own publishing company called Dear Diary Publishing. I’ll be starting my own cosmetic line titled Dear Diary Cosmetics. I’ll also be a featured author at Krewe Of Lit in New Orleans, Lit In Brooklyn in NYC, and The Atlanta Kickback in Atlanta.
Connect with Erika below.
Website: erikalatanya.com
Facebook: erikalatanyabooks
Twitter: @erikalatanya
Instagram: @erikalatanya
