Interview With Author Delly M. Elrose
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! I’m Delly M Elrose, a writer who finds inspiration in the wild beauty of rural Cumbria, where I live near the sea. There’s nothing quite like the sound of the waves and the fresh coastal air to stir creativity. When I’m not writing, you’ll often find me walking along the beach, camping under the stars, or spending time with my beloved pet cockatiel, Delly (yes, we share the same name!).
Writing is my passion, and so far, I’ve written nine books, delving into unique and often unexplored themes. I particularly love writing about taboo romance within the lesbian community, crafting stories that challenge norms and explore complex relationships. My work embraces niche subjects, giving voice to narratives that aren’t often told.
Whether I’m lost in a new story or enjoying the simple pleasures of nature, life by the sea fuels my imagination—and there are always more tales to tell.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest release, Blessed Are the Burning, is a passionate exploration of forbidden love and hidden desires within the lesbian community. Inspired by my fascination with taboo romance, this story delves into the kind of relationships that might have once existed only in secrecy—whispered behind closed doors, shrouded in fear or shame, yet burning with intensity.
I’ve always been drawn to untold stories, especially those that challenge societal norms. Historical lesbian love often went unrecorded, forced into the shadows, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. Blessed Are the Burning imagines the raw, defiant emotions that might have flared in a time when such love was dangerous. It’s about desire that refuses to be extinguished, no matter the cost.
As with all my books, I wanted to give voice to the kind of love that isn’t often portrayed—complex, consuming, and unapologetically real. If you enjoy taboo tales with emotional depth and fiery passion, this one’s for you.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh, absolutely—I have a few quirks when it comes to writing!
First, I always write by hand for the first draft—something about the scratch of pen on paper feels more raw and intimate, especially for taboo romance. I’ve got stacks of notebooks filled with messy, passionate scenes that later get typed up (usually with a glass of wine nearby for courage).
Second, I listen to thunderstorms or ocean waves while writing—no lyrics, just moody, atmospheric noise. It’s like my brain needs the chaos of nature to channel the intensity of the stories.
And the weirdest one? I act out dialogue scenes with my cockatiel, Delly. He’s my tiny, feathered editor—if he chirps, the line stays; if she ignores me, it gets cut. (She has strong opinions about love confessions.)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been deeply inspired by bold, unapologetic voices in lesbian fiction—especially those who dare to explore taboo love, complex desire, and hidden histories. Some of my biggest influences include:
Clare Lydon – Her witty, sex-positive romances (like London Calling) showed me how to balance heat with heart.
Patricia Highsmith (The Price of Salt) – A revolutionary for writing a lesbian love story with a happy ending in 1952—proof that forbidden love deserves epic, enduring tales.
Sarah Waters (Fingersmith, Tipping the Velvet) – The queen of historical lesbian fiction with twists that gut you. She taught me how to weave passion and danger together.
Jeanette Winterson (Written on the Body) – Her poetic, gender-bending prose made me fall in love with the raw ache of desire.
Radclyffe (The Honor Series) – Pioneering bold, gritty lesbian romance that doesn’t shy away from power dynamics or intensity.
Anne Rice (as A.N. Roquelaure, The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty) – Her erotic taboo work taught me how to push boundaries with lush, dark sensuality.
I also adore Nicola Griffith (Hild), Isabel Miller (Patience & Sarah), and Jane Rule (Desert of the Heart)—writers who carved space for queer love when it was even harder to do so.
Their courage to write outside the lines gave me permission to explore the stories I needed to tell—the ones that burn in the shadows.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently deep in the first draft of What We Did in the Dark – a slow-burn, forbidden lesbian romance simmering with tension, secrecy, and the kind of love that thrives in shadows.
Set in an isolated beach house, the story follows Leila (17) and her cousin Izzy (19) as their lifelong bond twists into something far more dangerous. What begins as innocent summer closeness between cousins becomes a consuming attraction they can’t escape.
The atmosphere is heavy with salt air and repression – days are stifling under family expectations, but nights belong to whispered confessions and hands that wander where they shouldn’t. Every glance, every “accidental” touch builds toward an inevitable breaking point.
I’m obsessed with exploring:
The guilt vs. desire war of taboo love
How isolation amplifies attraction
The physicality of repression – all those tense, trembling almost-touches
A relationship that feels both wrong and fated
The first draft is messy, visceral, and full of those breathless moments that make taboo romance so addictive to write. I want readers to ache with Leila and Izzy as they cross lines that can’t be uncrossed.
(And yes, my cockatiel Delly is still my feathered editor – he particularly approves of the midnight confession scene.)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When it comes to promoting my taboo lesbian romance books, I focus on targeted, reader-driven strategies that fly under the radar. My most effective method is building a direct mailing list through BookFunnel giveaways, which lets me bypass platform restrictions and connect with readers who genuinely crave edgy content. I carefully market through aesthetic teasers on TikTok and Twitter—hinting at forbidden passion without explicit keywords—while engaging in niche Discord servers and private Facebook groups where taboo romance is appreciated. For paid promotion, I run subtle Facebook/Instagram ads focusing on moody visuals and tropes rather than controversial themes, and when possible, I leverage BookBub for wider reach. Since platforms like Amazon can be risky, I use Smashwords for more daring samples and maintain my own author website with exclusive, password-protected content. The key is cultivating a loyal underground readership through authentic engagement rather than broad publicity—because in taboo romance, the right readers will always seek out what thrills them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
For new authors—especially those writing taboo or niche romance—my best advice is to write fearlessly but promote strategically. Focus on crafting the story only you can tell, because authenticity resonates most with readers craving bold, unconventional love stories. Build your email list early (even with a free short story via BookFunnel) to bypass algorithm restrictions, and invest in a professional cover that hints at your book’s heat without triggering platform bans. Study successful books in your niche to learn how they balance steam and emotional depth while skirting content guidelines. Protect your creative energy by avoiding toxic writing circles, and never engage with critics—your ideal readers will find you. Most importantly, keep writing; your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect, and momentum matters more than perfection. Taboo romance thrives on passion, both on and off the page—so stay true to your voice, publish consistently, and never let self-doubt extinguish the fire that made you start writing in the first place.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard—for writing and life—came from a grizzled, whiskey-drinking romance editor at a London conference:
“Write like no one’s watching, edit like everyone’s judging, and market like you’re whispering a secret to your best friend.”
For taboo work, it means:
First drafts are for exorcising your demons – No censoring.
Edits are where you carve the chaos into art – Shape the raw passion into something that lingers in readers’ bones.
Promotion is seduction – Don’t shout; tease. Make them lean in closer.
And the unspoken addendum? “If it doesn’t scare you a little, it’s not worth writing.”
(That, and “Always keep gin in the freezer for deadline emergencies.” Sage wisdom.) 🖤
What are you reading now?
Fall from Grace” by Ruby Landers – A deliciously angsty, slow-burn F/F romance that’s wrecking me in the best way. Landers writes emotional tension like a knife twist you beg for, and I’m obsessed with how she balances raw passion with intricate character depth. It’s the kind of book that makes me want to light a candle, pour a glass of wine, and dissect every aching glance for writing craft.
Why It’s Sticking With Me:
The forbidden pining
A morally gray heroine who’s almost irredeemable… but you still root for her
Sentences so sharp they leave paper cuts
What’s next for you as a writer?
More Taboo!
I’ll keep pushing boundaries in queer romance—especially unspoken desires (think: sister’s best friend, teacher/student, with a psychological twist). My goal? Make readers ache with the “I shouldn’t want this… but I do” feeling.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring four books, I’d choose these for their emotional depth, re-readability, and ability to make me feel less alone: First, The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith – I’d need that revolutionary queer love story to remind me desire can triumph over convention. Second, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters for its delicious twists and slow-burn sensuality – perfect for keeping my mind engaged during long island nights. Third, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, because Evelyn’s unapologetic life and loves would give me courage in isolation. Finally, I’d take The Passion by Jeanette Winterson – her magical, lyrical prose would transform the island into a place of wonder rather than imprisonment. These books together would provide everything I’d need: passion, intrigue, resilience, and beauty – the perfect survival kit for both heart and mind. (Though I might try to sneak in Written on the Body too – a girl has needs, after all.)
Author Websites and Profiles
Delly M. Elrose Amazon Profile
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