AAPI Author Spotlight: Tawnya Torres

Hello everyone! Welcome to our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Spotlight Event! Win’s Books Asian American Pacific Islander Spotlight Event is a literary event that highlights and celebrates the works of Asian American and Pacific Islander authors. It is an opportunity to showcase their diverse voices and experiences through literature. So, without further ado, let’s get on with this amazing spotlight!

About the Author:

Tawnya Torres lives in the Pacific Northwest near the ocean. Before she wrote stories she drew anime characters, flowers, and mermaids. If she’s not writing, she’s probably reading, or walking on the beach. Born to service industry parents and works in the industry herself making coffee and sandwiches in a cute little bakery and cafe on the coast. Someday she hopes to be a full-time writer and has big dreams of living in Hawaii. No matter where she goes she has to live close to the sea.   

How and when did your love for writing start?

I wrote short stories as a child, poems as an angsty teenager, but I didn’t actually write full-length novels until I lost my job (twice) due to the covid-19 shutdowns. During that time I experimented with paint, I thought I would be a comic book artist when I grew up but it turns out writing is my true passion.

It’s funny because I have always been an avid horror fan. I love scary stories with creepy but alluring settings. But all my books, despite the genre (fantasy or sci-fi) become a romance. The connection between two people is what drives the story. Looking back, I realize romance is my favorite part of any book or movie.

Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?

What Pacific Islander author do you think people should know about?

I wish I knew more Pacific Islander authors! In the last five years, I started reading more books by Asian authors like Kazuo Ishiguro, Heidi Heilig, Haruki Murakami, and Amy Tan.

How does your heritage impact what you write and how you write?

I definitely write diverse characters and settings. My book A Silent Discovery takes place in a fantasy version of the Middle East. The Heart of the Machine and The Soul Keeper’s Assistant (out later this year) takes place in Japan. Growing up, I always loved movies where the setting was Asia, but the main character was white. I’m half German, half Filipina so I think I like to see concepts where maybe the European or white character is portrayed as the outsider, like The Ramen Girl, Shutter, and The Forest.

What makes your book(s) special?

I’ve been told my books were easy to read in a day because of the suspense. Even people who don’t typically read in the romance genre enjoy my stories because they have a hint of horror as well as action. I think I’ve managed to trick my male friends into reading a fantasy romance but they don’t realize it because of all the violence, adventure, and unusual language. It’s poetic but also very dark and gritty. I draw a lot of inspiration from Alice Hoffman as well as Chuck Palahniuk.

So… what are you working on now?

Currently I’m taking a writing break to focus on reading more books! Right now, I’m reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. 

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Thank you for taking the time to interview with us today Tawnya! I really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about you and your amazing books! For more information about Author Tawnya or to connect with her, please visit:

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It’s finally here!!!

The 3rd Book in the Gods’ Scion Series, The Lone Star Child is out now !!!

A thrilling Sci-fi Fantasy about loneliness and revenge

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— Winnie Tataw (@WinsBooks) December 5, 2020

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