Tamara Lemus on Sapphic Wrestling Romance, Latinx Representation, and Indie Publishing

What happens when you look at live professional wrestling, see the electric tension between two fierce athletes in the ring, and wonder: what if they kissed? Today, I am joined by romance author Tamara Lemus to discuss her path into indie publishing and the creation of her Wrestling With Love series. We break down the inspiration behind her breakout sapphic sports romance, From the Top Rope, which was sparked while attending WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico. Tamara shares what it takes to write authentic Latinx representation across fantasy and sports romance, exploring nuanced bi awakenings, balancing legacy privilege against hard-earned ambition, and what readers can expect from the next installment in the ring, Behind the Ropes. Tamara Lemus started writing at a young age when her mother gifted her journals. Later, she branched out onto the online writing scene by writing Harry Styles fan fiction on Tumblr. Her love of reading started when a little book titled Twilight entered the world. As she grew up, life got in the way, and reading went to the back burner until she picked up a fantasy book that sparked her love of reading back to life. Tamara enjoys reading fantasy, romance, and thriller books. In her spare time, she loves traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with her family and fur baby, Xena In this episode, we're discussing: Tamara’s early start writing fan fiction on Tumblr and finding inspiration in romance books. Creating Hispanic and Latinx representation in fantasy romance with Runaway Fae. The real-life moment at WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico that inspired From the Top Rope. The nuance of writing sapphic romance, challenging lesbophobia in reader spaces, and honoring emotional intimacy. Raven and Amaya’s dynamic: legacy privilege, self-made hustle, and navigating a realistic bisexual awakening. Shifting gears into friends-to-lovers and fake dating with Behind the Ropes. Navigating creative momentum and reading slumps during pregnancy. An early look at book three: second-chance romance, marriage of convenience, and mental health representation. CONNECT WITH TAMARA LEMUS: Instagram BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: From the Top Rope by Tamara Lemus (Amazon) Behind the Ropes by Tamara Lemus Runaway Fae by Tamara Lemus (Amazon) Jack Whitney Hailey Dickert Alex's Bookstore The New Romantics Scribbles Bookshop Join the We Read Smut Lounge. Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes.  Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned (Doc) This podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.