Tell me a little bit about ‘Siren's Last Song'.

It follows Avarie, a mermaid that's grieving the death of her brother. She's tasked with going on land to find his killer, but her plans go out the window when she begins falling for a land girl named Lahna.

What first made you want to tell this story?

I was really excited when they announced that Halle Bailey would be starring as Ariel in the life action Little Mermaid movie.
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​Was there a particular moment or character that came to you first?

The first moment I thought about writing was Avarie popping above the surface to sneak a peek at the shore then quickly hiding when she hears a strange noise. I think it highlights how curious and anxious she can be.

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​What do you hope readers take away after finishing the book?

I'd like readers to know that grief is not linear, there's setbacks and sometimes, the pain never truly fades, but it does become bearable.

Did anything surprise you while writing it?

How much I would love Lahna - I think she's the best book girlfriend!

For readers who haven’t picked up ‘Siren’s Last Song’ yet, what books or authors would you point them toward and say, “If you loved these, you’ll probably have a great time with this one too”? And what do you think makes it stand out from those comparisons?

I’d say it’s definitely for fans of Gabi Burton’s Sing Me to Sleep duology. Others that like sapphic fantasy with a diverse cast will enjoy it too. What makes Siren’s Last Song stand out is that there are hardly any Black mermaid books that ALSO have a sapphic protagonist.

Which queer book has stayed with you the longest?

​Whenever You're Ready - Rachel Runya Katz

What are you reading at the moment?

​That Which Feeds Us - Keala Kendall

Which author has influenced your writing the most?

Kalynn Bayron!

What's next for you?

I’m releasing a sapphic paranormal with vampyres this fall!

Where can readers find your work?

All my books (anthologies included) are listed on my website!

What would you recommend to someone just starting to explore queer books, art or community?

Don’t rely on big name lists to guide you. There’s so many smaller creators that will expose you to art/books you’d never even know to look for.

If you could tell your younger self one thing about queer community, books or belonging, what would it be?

Stop waiting on a faux diverse industry to make your dreams happen. Just get out there and do it yourself, it’ll be okay!

Huge thanks to Ashleigh for taking the time to chat with Between the Margins. Be sure to follow her on social media to stay up to date on future releases!