An Interview with Selma Byrd

Selma Byrd is a romance writer with a background in fashion, criminology, and sociology. Her work blends contemporary romance with dark and gritty themes. Drawing from her academics, she crafts multifaceted and complex characters that feel real and compelling.

She is currently working on her debut novel, The Poisonous Lotus, a multi-book universe in which the billionaire Wang family is at the forefront.

When she isn’t writing about dangerously attractive women and morally grey billionaires, she will be found drawing, cooking, or doing retail therapy.

Between credit card swipes and Red Bull sips, Selma will be plotting the demise of her beloved characters.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

Truthfully, the desire to be spoiled by a hot billionaire with a spending kink…

In all seriousness, before fully dedicating my efforts on this book, I had started a military dark romance (which I plan to continue down the line). Although I loved the plot, twists, and bloodshed, there were themes that at the time were very heavy on my already fragile emotional state.

That’s when Kai Wang made an appearance through fight scenes that were making me pull my hair out. Who knew writing a strong female character navigating loss, betrayal, and throwing punches (while looking hot) would be quite challenging?

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Oh god. This book has gone through far too many title changes to count!

Initially, when I had started writing the plot line and bringing the characters to life, the title was The Contract.

At the core of the book, there is a mutually beneficial contract between Kai and Sienna. But after a spark of genius inspiration (and many other titles that ultimately got scrapped), I came up with the idea of using the lotus flower as inspiration.

For whatever reason, the casino scene in Percy Jackson came to mind, in which he and his friends, tempted by lotus sweets, succumb to desire at the risk of ending up trapped forever.

This sparked the connection between the lotus flower and the effect my main female character has on the main male character.

She is temptation, desire and his ultimate undoing.

You’ve probably noticed that I blab excessively, so to answer the question – it took me forever to come up with a title that I was satisfied with.

But, ultimately, I do believe that it was worth all the effort it took!

Describe your dream book cover.

A fully illustrated book cover!!!

Front, back, inside, and pages too by my beloved fave artist on Instagram @saranyca

The cover she made for the Mindf*ck series??!! Obsessed is an understatement!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Any Chris Grey, The Weeknd, and BookTok/Bookstagram song would probably do…

Unhinged? Yes.

Obsessed? Of course.

Mildly concerning…? …Yeah.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I’ve been super into dark romance lately – I tend to read the opposite ‘genre’ of what I’m writing so as not to risk indirectly being influenced by other authors.

Rina Kent has been thoroughly filling the morally grey man-sized void in my heart.

That being said, my Ana Huang books are sitting on the shelf, patiently waiting!

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I worked as a fashion designer in London for a while before deciding to take the challenge of a bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology.

Because of my full-time studies, I’ve only managed to work part-time retail jobs so far.

One thing my readers wouldn’t know is that I am a fully qualified nail technician too! I like to dabble in as many things my super busy (not) schedule allows!

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Truthfully, myself…

I graduated from university and found myself in the same spot I was in before I had started: unsatisfied and unfulfilled with my life. The only time I felt content was between the pages of books.

It reignited my love of storytelling, reading, and imagination…things that in some ways I’d abandoned.

Writing has always been a great passion of mine, hence the long answers.

Getting back into reading and finding the amazing community that has grown through social media was perhaps the biggest catalyst.

Now, I focus on bringing to life worlds and characters that, between pages, allow readers to have an escape from the real world.

Where is your favorite place to write?

My poor partner tried to make me a cozy office space, but despite that I still manage to find myself, spine collapsed, in between my two feline assistants (Mango and Miso) on the living room sofa…

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

DO ITTTT!

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep showing up even when it gets hard. Because there are people out there who will love your stories as much as you love writing them!!

Those who told you your ambitions are too high have never dreamt loud enough and it shows.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope that within my books, readers find the same escape and peace I find when writing and reading.

Whether it’s screaming at the wall because my favorite character died, maniacally laughing at peak dialogue, or feeling empowered through badass women, I hope that my readers feel seen, welcomed, and represented!

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.