Erin Zak – Crafting Authentic Sapphic Romance
Despite accolades, Zak focuses on writing stories that resonate with readers and reflect her own vision.
Erin Zak captivates readers with her authentic storytelling and emotional depth in sapphic contemporary romance.
Erin Zak, a rising voice in sapphic contemporary romance, recently discussed her journey as a writer in an interview with Reader’s House magazine. Known for novels like Guarding Evelyn and Home for the Holidays, Zak has garnered acclaim for creating stories that delve into personal setbacks, self-discovery, and forbidden love, all while portraying the complexities of LGBTQ+ experiences. Her characters, often quirky and imperfect, offer readers an emotional connection that goes beyond the typical romance narrative.
Zak’s characters are a reflection of her own personality—dorky, quirky, and deeply human. She explained, “I am 100% dorky and quirky myself. I want characters to be fun, captivating, and have a soul.” By creating characters who love Star Wars or experience social anxiety, Zak ensures her readers see a part of themselves in her stories. This authenticity is a significant part of what makes her work stand out in the crowded field of contemporary romance.
In her novel Guarding Evelyn, Zak explores the emotional recovery of Arden Ryan, a woman dealing with personal setbacks in her career and life. Writing about adversity is something that comes naturally to Zak, who has faced her own share of struggles, including grappling with her sexuality, the loss of her parents, and navigating challenges in the sapphic writing community. “I’ve gone to therapy since I was in my early twenties,” Zak shared, noting how her own healing journey helped her craft Arden’s story. Arden’s recovery, woven with themes of mental health and resilience, became a deeply personal narrative for Zak, who wanted to “get it right” as she explored the character’s trauma and journey toward healing.
One of the more daring themes Zak tackles is forbidden love, something she embraces fully in Home for the Holidays. In the novel, Iris Abbott falls in love with her best friend’s mother, a dynamic Zak found both rewarding and fascinating to write. She particularly enjoyed crafting the character of Heidi Nowak, a confident older woman who is coming to terms with her sexuality. “Her confidence was my favorite part about writing Heidi. She was sexy and ready to find love again,” Zak said. For Zak, portraying older women as attractive and self-assured is essential. She takes care to ensure that their wrinkles, stretch marks, and physical changes are viewed not as flaws, but as signs of beauty and experience, making them “drop-dead gorgeous” to readers.
The growing representation of LGBTQ+ characters in romance is another area where Zak is eager to make an impact. “Sapphic romance is now mainstream, and that’s so exciting,” she said. Reflecting on how far representation has come, Zak is thrilled that queer stories are more visible and in demand than ever. She hopes that her books, which have already provided clarity and support for many readers grappling with their own identities, will continue to play a significant role in this ongoing evolution. Zak has received heartfelt messages from fans who have found themselves in her characters or been moved by her stories. Some have even told her that her books saved their lives—a testament to the power of representation in literature. “I hope to keep playing this role for as long as I possibly can,” she added.
Despite receiving critical acclaim for works like Falling into Her, Breaking Down Her Walls, and Create a Life to Love, Zak remains focused on writing the stories that resonate with her personally. She emphasizes that she never writes for accolades, but for the joy of creating relatable characters and stories. “I’ve come to a stage in my writing career where readers and their letters to me mean more than any award ever could,” Zak said, underscoring the profound connection she feels with her audience.
Beyond her novels, Zak co-hosts a podcast called The Weekly Wine Down, where she discusses a wide range of topics with her best friends. The podcast serves as another creative outlet and source of inspiration for her writing. “The discussions we have keep me sharp, keep me funny, and on my toes,” she explained. Conversations from the podcast often find their way into her books, adding a layer of authenticity to the interactions between her characters. The camaraderie and support from her friends also help her navigate the pressures of being a writer, especially during moments of self-doubt.
As Zak continues to make her mark in the sapphic romance genre, her commitment to telling authentic, heartfelt stories remains unwavering. Whether through her novels or her podcast, she is dedicated to creating spaces where readers can see themselves, feel understood, and find comfort in the imperfections of her beautifully flawed characters.
