I’m so excited to have Yasmin Angoe visiting today to talk about her much-anticipated debut release, Her Name Is Knight.
Tell me about your latest book.
Her Name Is Knight is my debut spyish action thriller about a Ghanaian female assassin for a powerful and secret business conglomerate who learns the people who razed her little village are still alive 16 years later. Now she’s set on a course of revenge while also trying to protect the people in her life. She cannot let history repeat and lose everyone she loves again.
What inspired you to write it?
I always enjoy writing about women, and for years I never saw women who look like me or were from my family’s country in the thriller and action genre as the lead protagonist. Those are the genres I love and devour, so I decided to write about to create what I’d like to see more of in the type of books I love to read. I also wanted a story that was culturally rich and dealt with more than just “getting the job done.” I wanted a story that gave the reader a lot to unpack as well as provided a thrilling experience.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
It’ll sound cliché, but I really fell in love and began writing in end of elementary/middle school. I was an only child raised by a single mother and so books and notebooks were my babysitter and my siblings. Imaginary words and people were where I could get lost and allow my mom to do what she had to do, so there it is.
What’s the best part of being an author?
The best part of being an author is cracking open my book and realizing that this is the thing Yasmin made. It’s surreal. Also, when others tell me about my book is pretty interesting. Sometimes I’ll read a review or someone’s telling me how the book made them feel, and I’m like “Man, that sounds great, who wrote that?” Then I realize, “Oh, it’s me!”
What’s the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part is enjoying the ride. Deep down I know I wrote a good book, one that hits the reader in every way possible, but it’s still hard to receive the great reviews, love, and support from readers, authors, and other people in the industry. I have to learn to receive all the good.
What books have you read lately and loved?
The latest books I’ve read were by Rachel Howzell Hall with These Toxic Things, Wanda Morris with All Her Little Secrets, and S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears. I’ve also been reading a little bit of YA too lately as a palette cleanser.
What book(s) are you most excited to read next?
Alex Segura’s Secret Identity, Kellye Garrett’s Like a Sister, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Velvet Was the Night. I just love that title.
Who would you cast in a movie to play your main characters?
Oh, my goodness. A tough question. Well, I would love them to cast people who are from the countries highlighted in the story, but I just want great actors who look like the characters in the book and will do justice by them…especially Nena.
What’s next for you?
What’s next is I’ve turned in my draft of book 2 of Knight and am awaiting notes on that. I’m working on ideas for the next books and thinking about some standalones. There is a lot of thinking going on.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I don’t think so.
To learn more about Yasmin Angoe, visit her website, or connect with her on social media.
Website: Yasminangoe.com
Twitter: twitter.com/yasawriter
Instagram: Instagram.com/author_yas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072770917745
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Her Name Is Knight.