Indie Support Sunday: Miah Onsha
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
I can’t remember how I connected with Miah Onsha, but what I can tell you is that I was absolutely smitten with her content and the cover of her debut, Fortunate Misfortune. And since interviewing her, I find that we’re kindred spirits with her journey starting in the world of fanfiction! Miah met a friend in the anime community who encouraged her to dive into writing and we are forever grateful to you, Emma!
Staying indie was important to Miah because she wanted to tell stories that encompassed the magic of Black joy. More than that, she gets to tackle topics and things that are important to her, including food and nutrition, mental health and positive relationships! When asked if she’d write in a different genre, Miah said that a thriller with a romance subplot is definitely her dream.
The first two books in her Clear Lake Quartet series are out now and available in KU. Her next release is a sapphic romance and while the details are hush-hush, I know for a fact that we’re all excited to see what’s in store for us!
BEING AN AUTHOR
Who or what inspired you to write?
I credit so much of my decision to write to my friend, Emma. We met in the anime community. Fanfiction was obviously a massive part of our lives and friendship, so I tried my hand at writing something for the first time that wasn’t related to my schooling. At the end of 2022, I messaged her “I think I want to write a book someday.” She responded with “Do it!!!!!!” And in 2023, I started writing Fortunate Misfortune.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The best part of being an indie author is that I’m able to write stories that mean everything to me. Being a Black woman, writing Black joy is so important to me. I’m also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a passion for nutrition education. Throughout my books, I’m able to talk about all the things that matter most to me: food and nutrition, healthy relationships, mental health, found family, love, and laughter.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
To be completely honest, I dove straight into self-publishing when I finished Fortunate Misfortune because I wanted it out in the world and I’m glad I did. I have complete control over my stories, the covers, and the way I want to get it out into the world. Is it hard? Absolutely, but I still stand behind my decision.
When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
If I’m not writing, you can find me cooking, reading a thriller on my Kindle or listening to an audiobook, running, or lifting weights. Some of my best ideas have hit me while I’m on the track and I’ve had to record voice memos for later.
If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?
Oh!!! I am a thriller reader before anything else. Some of my favorite books (check trigger warnings) are by Karin Slaughter and Ruth Ware. Recently, I enjoyed A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham.
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
The first draft is supposed to suck. It’s hard, but let it suck. Jordan Peele once said “When I'm writing a first draft I'm constantly reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” I try to live by this
Comparison is the thief of joy.
This journey is not linear. It’s a rollercoaster that is going to make you feel allllllll the lows, but the highs are so worth it.
The story you want to tell is important. Don't forget that.
Write the dang book. Your story deserves to be shared.
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
A thriller with a romance sub-plot! That’s my dream.
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
Favorite: Rivals to lovers, forced proximity, found family, man obsessed, he falls first, slowburn
Least: I can’t choose any! Before I wrote Even Odds, I swore up and down I despised second chance romances, and now it’s one of my favorites!
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
Neighbors to lovers, fake dating, roommates, single parent
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
Mental health! I’ve seen such an uptick in it recently and I love every single bit of it.
If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?
Sex was not a topic that was discussed growing up. It was something that I learned about when I went to college. Thank heavens for friends who loved answering my questions. TMI was never a thing for us, and I make sure my characters have that same freedom in their friendships. Being able to talk so openly about something that brings people together makes younger Miah so happy.
Honestly, the inspiration usually comes from the confessions or conversations that surround the scene.
YOUR BOOKS
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
The Clear Lake Quartet Series was truly inspired by the friendships that have shaped my life. My high school friend group was a group of five, but I was also surrounded by my orchestra friends, track and basketball team, and classmates. Then I went to college and all the chaos and situations my best friends got into reminded me of why I wanted to write about these women. Connected at the hip and doing life together in every way.
Fortunate Misfortune was inspired by my love for nutrition education. I hadn’t seen many books with type 1 diabetes representation, and some of my favorite people live with it.
Even Odds was inspired by my love of women in sports, especially in male-dominated fields, and Black men who are so soft and sweet.
Can you briefly tell me about your books?
Fortunate Misfortune is a college rivals to lovers romance between a soccer player and a swimmer. After years of the Brain Bowl, their competition, they must work together on a class project that could lead to one of them snagging a highly sought-after internship that they both need for their own reasons. But the competition never stops.
Even Odds is a second chance romance between a female sports agent and the golden boy for baseball, an MLB shortstop. After firing his manipulative sports agent, he refuses to work with any other sports agent but his ex. As they work together, he finally opens up and stops hiding the anxiety he has been holding his entire life.
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
Gosh, it’s so hard to pick. I’m going to say Cade. There’s a softness to him that I needed in my life when writing his story.
If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Mallory: Lovie Simone
Kenneth: Harris Dickinson
Shay: Ryan Destiny
Cade: Keith Powers
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
It’s never intentional, but looking back, I see pieces of my heart in them. I was working through my own anxiety when I wrote Mallory, who lives with anxiety and anxiety attacks. Shay has my ‘don’t ever let a man tell you what you can’t do’ spirit. Kenneth has my unwavering love for his family. Cade has my want to make everyone happy, even at the expense of my own sanity (we worked on that together lol).
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
Honestly, anything that has to do with people being loved correctly. There’s no specific story that screams at me right now. As the stories come, they become the only thing I can think about.
Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?
Love, laughter, and everlasting bonds. Both platonic and romantic. And nutrition education, of course.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
Book three in the Clear Lake Quartet series! It’s Jo’s book, which is a sapphic romance.
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I hope they feel seen, heard, but also loved. Reading was an escape for me growing up, so knowing there’s a story that someone will relate to makes me feel like I’m able to give them a hug.
AUTHOR’S CHOICE
Paperbacks (thrillers or romance), hardbacks, ebooks (thrillers or romance) or audiobooks (thrillers)
Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense—and thrillers are my favorite (and what I want to write!)
Single or Dual POV
Standalones, series or standalones in a series
Open door, ajar door or closed door romances—no preference as a reader! I just love a good story
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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