At Inkitt, we love celebrating our authors and getting to know the stories behind their books. Every writer has their own journey—some start young, some find writing later in life, but all of them have something special to share.
Today, we’re chatting with Em Jay (Emjaywrites), the author of Dirty Little Secret. She’s been with Inkitt since the very beginning, and her passion for storytelling is truly inspiring.
In this interview, she opens up about what got her into writing, the struggles she’s faced along the way, and what it feels like to see her book come to life on Galatea.
What inspired you to become an author?
Em Jay: I always loved reading, but didn’t see many books that represented me. When I was young, there were not a lot of books about Black people. So I started writing for myself—I wanted to read books and nobody was writing what I wanted to read.
Was there a specific moment that sparked your passion for storytelling?
Em Jay: My mom used to read me stories before bed every night when I was a kid. It was my best memory with my mom. She did all the voices and made every character distinct. It immersed me in literature, and that’s when I started to love reading and writing.
Has writing helped you with mental health issues?
Em Jay: Yes, writing is and has always been my only outlet. It’s honestly my savior. It’s why I’m here. Whenever I felt like I needed to express something, writing is how I did it.
That’s why I go by a pen name.
There’s a little of me in everything, and I think that’s what really connects with my readers. Those stories were real, from my heart and soul, and I think it really spoke to a lot of people.
How did you first discover Inkitt?
Em Jay: I discovered Inkitt right when they opened. I’ve been there since the beginning. When Inkitt opened, I enjoyed getting a fresh start. I wrote “Dirty Little Secret” and that was one of the first things I posted there in 2017.
Did Inkitt’s analytics help you shape your stories?
Em Jay: Absolutely.
The analytics that Inkitt has is one of my favorite features. It’s specific and useful, and it makes me happy to see the variety of people who like my books. I use the data to see what’s popular and try to write toward that when I can.
When did you find out you were going to be a Galatea author, and how did it feel?
Em Jay: It was not that long ago, and I was stunned. I didn’t expect it. I was super proud that something I wrote, especially when I was young, touched people’s hearts that much. It made me feel accomplished.
What are you most excited about readers seeing in your book?
Em Jay: The changes. The writing has matured, and I’ve delved into the characters much more. I kept the spirit of the story the same but gave it more depth. I want readers to connect more deeply with Bailey, who’s now more well-written.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Em Jay: Writer’s block. I write a lot in a little bit of time, and then I don’t write, and I agonize about it. It makes me sometimes dread writing. Turning writing into a business also sometimes makes me dread it because I’m writing to eat, not just for myself.
Is there a piece of advice you were given that stuck with you?
Em Jay: “Just write.”
When I was starting out, I kept searching for how to write a book, but the only advice that really mattered was to just sit down and write. That’s now the only advice I give—you have to actually just write, and you can fix it later.
Are there any recurring themes or messages you hope readers take away from your stories?
Emjaywrites, author on Inkitt and Galatea
Em Jay: I’m a dark romance writer, which is a difficult niche.
The biggest thing I want people to take from my writing is that even though the themes are dark, the point of the books is to have a safe space to engage with these types of things without harming yourself.
I feel personally responsible about what messages people might take from my writing.
Final Thoughts
Talking with Em Jay is a great reminder of why we love what we do at Inkitt—helping writers share their stories and connect with readers.
Her journey is full of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for storytelling. If you’ve read Dirty Little Secret, you already know how powerful her writing is, and if you haven’t yet, now’s the perfect time to check it out.
A huge thank you to Em Jay for sharing her story with us—we’re excited to see what she writes next!
