Indie Support Sunday: Ashleigh Martin
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
What do you do when you can’t find books that are inclusive, diverse and feature characters that look like you? You write them yourself. That’s exactly what Ashleigh Martin did with her debut Siren’s Last Song. She wrote a romantic fantasy with queer Black characters on the cover and told the story that she wished to see in the world.
That’s not all Ashleigh’s written—you can find a short story published in an anthology titled Lesbians in Space and another short story published in a queer horror anthology titled Queer Shivers. And when asked what she would write if not romance, Ashleigh said that she’d love to try something in the horror genre, which would absolutely be a lot of fun.
For now, you can read her debut everywhere you buy books and look out for her sapphic vampire mystery—Of Amity & Blood—releasing later this year!
BEING AN AUTHOR
Who or what inspired you to write?
I remember reading a lot, especially in my high school book club and feeling dissatisfied with the lack of diverse stories. I had a hard time finding fantasy books with Black people on the cover, let alone queer ones. In graduate school, I did a library audit of YA books written by Black authors that did NOT contain police brutality or similar themes and was displeased at what I found. So I decided to write my own stories! Yes, some of my stories are sad, but they do not lean into Black trauma that’s often fodder for traditional publishers. Those stories are valuable and needed, but there are so many other Black (and talented!!) authors equipped to write them.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The best part is the creative control—I love being able to choose my editor, cover artist, misc. graphics. I’m not so fond of having to put myself out there everyday (screaming into the void, if you will) when it comes to marketing. Promoting my debut has definitely eaten into my creative time!
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
I’ve gotten wonderful responses from most agents, but at the end of the day, trad publishing is a business. And in a world of increasing book bans, a YA Black sapphic fantasy would definitely be banned. But I think my book still deserves to be published, which is why I’ve decided to move forward with doing it myself.
When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
I love walking trails. I particularly enjoy being out in nature and not talking to anyone. Reading helps with creativity as well.
If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?
It would definitely be a fantasy. Or something with magical realism. N.E. Davenport’s Our Vicious Oaths is my most recent fave fantasy. And Sarah Penner is an auto read author for me. An indie favorite of mine is Tethered by T.J. Williams.
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
In order to edit and make it better, you have to write something first.
You know your book best, therefore don’t accept every edit/suggestion given to you.
Read the genre you write.
Learn the different platforms/software ahead of time. IE: KDP, IngramSpark, Vellum, Kobo
Not every reader is going to love your book and that’s okay!
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?
I’m a lover girl at heart. And I can’t get enough of sapphic stories, so I needed to write my own. My favorite thing about romance is the promise of a happy (or happy for now) ending.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
I would love to dip my toes into something horror. I’ve written some short fiction with horror/speculative elements, but nothing full length yet.
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
Fave: enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, second chance, fake dating, one bed, insta love
Least Fave: billionaire romance, kidnapping, cis het men that are hot & mean to women (sorta a trope??)
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
Enemies to lovers (I love reading it but have a hard time writing it since I hate when my characters are intentionally mean to each other)
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
I’d love to see more characters with disabilities and neurodivergency in romance. Especially on the covers.
If you write closed door romance, why did you choose that and what are your favorite ways to build tension between the characters?
My YA debut is closed door for obvious reasons, but there’s slow burn tension throughout the novel. IE: finding things in common, deep conversations, subtle touching of hands, lingering looks.
YOUR BOOKS
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
Sometimes I wake up in the dead of night with a random idea. For Siren’s Last Song, I was overjoyed that Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel for the live action movie and the story just flowed out of me.
Can you briefly tell me about your book?
My debut, Siren’s Last Song, is a YA sapphic fantasy about a mermaid who’s chosen to go on land and kill her brother’s murderer. If she doesn’t, her anguished Sea Goddess will destroy her watery home. However, when she makes it on land, she inconveniently falls for a human girl.
I’ve been published in a few anthologies (with another set to release in the fall). But in 2025, my short story, Infinity's Kiss, was published in Lesbians in Space. This story is about a disgruntled space worker (think TSA) that quits her day job to perform with a pop star (and her crush) at a Pride Festival across the galaxy.
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
Lahna from Siren’s Last Song is hands down my favorite character that I’ve written so far!
If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?
This is the hardest question on here and the one I actually don’t have an answer for! I’m the worst at watching movies/TV.
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
Probably too much. Most of my main characters have chronic anxiety…as do I.
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
I’m determined to have Black sapphic love make its appearance in almost every genre I can think of.
Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?
Sapphic love.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
This fall I plan on self pubbing a sapphic vampire mystery titled Of Amity & Blood! (Vampire is down bad for her missing human)
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I want them to feel like they’re traveling to a different world. Because Earth is very much a scam right now (and has been for a while).
AUTHOR’S CHOICE
Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks
Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense
Single or Dual POV
Standalones, series or standalones in a series
Open door, ajar door or closed door romances
Music or silence when writing
Plotter, pantser or plantser
Water, tea, coffee or….wine?
Cold or warm weather
Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?
Illustrated or photo cover?
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