Indie Authors Uncovered - Meet the person behind the pages - Meet Tasha Zima - Her Craft is emotionally intense.
Where were you born?
I was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Where do you live?
I now live in New Brunswick, Canada.
Do you have fur babies?
Yes, both rescue animals, and they make me laugh many times a day.
- a Labradane mix dog named Rollo,
- a brown/black tabby mix cat named Floki.
Do you use a pen name?
Yes, Tasha Zima is my pen name.
My own name is more difficult to pronounce, and I wanted something shorter and easier. I chose Tasha because of my Russian heritage, and honestly, I'm not sure where Zima came from. I just liked how it flowed with Tasha.
What kind of writer are you?
- Modern Day Laptop/PC Writer
Name one book you loved as a kid - one you loved as a new adult - and one you love now.
- Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey.
- The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A.
- McKillip and In the Code Light of Code by Dahlia Amy.
Is there an author you look up to? Or had an influence on your craft?
There are so many it is hard to choose. For banter, I was influenced a lot by Elizabeth Peters and Georgette Heyer.
And who I look up to? Honestly any Indie author. Writing is so vulnerable and to put yourself out there without the support of a publisher is an act of trust and bravery.
How would you describe your craft in one sentence
I write emotionally intense, interconnected small-town romances set in the fictional world of Ashby Lake, where sharp banter, messy emotions, and hard-won love stories collide.
At The Dreamer's Bookshop, we embrace diversity and advocate for invisible illnesses. How do you feel about those topics? Do you include messages in your writing?
I believe reading diverse perspectives is one of the best ways to build empathy and better understand the world around us. Stories allow us to step into someone else’s experience for a little while, and that can be incredibly powerful.
Diversity and invisible illnesses are both topics that matter to me and are reflected in my writing. I’m actively working to include a broader range of voices and experiences in my books, but I also believe those characters deserve thoughtful development and care.
I never want representation to feel performative or surface level, so I take the time to research, listen, and create characters who feel authentic and human.
Do you have red lines when it comes to writing/reading?
I don’t believe every story needs to be comfortable, but I do think stories should be thoughtful. I’m open to exploring difficult or emotional topics in both reading and writing, especially when they help readers feel seen or understood.
My personal red line is usually around work that feels intentionally cruel, dehumanizing, or harmful without purpose. Even when my stories deal with grief, trauma, or complicated relationships, I try to approach those themes with empathy and care.
Was there a review that touched you more than others?
They all touch me, honestly. Even the less glowing reviews do, because someone still took the time to read my words, sit with them, and respond. That never feels small to me.
If I had to choose one, though, I think this review still gets to me the most because she picked up on so much of the emotional subtext in The Making of a Storm. As a writer, there’s something incredibly moving about realizing a reader truly saw the layers you quietly tucked between the lines.
"Roxanne is a part of every woman. She’s either the main trait, or the untamed version of us we try to quiet. Maybe even the version we almost forgot existed. But she’s loud and clear.
She’s not after validation or attention. She needs to know she’s leaving a trace, a legacy, after a heartbreaking loss. Even if that means dipping early in her relationships to do so.
And then she falls in love. Harder than she thought she could. Harder than she wanted to. That’s where her true beauty and vulnerability shine. Whole. Earnest.
I don’t usually read romance, but this was incredibly wholesome and surprising all at once ; proof you don’t need to follow traditional beats to deliver recognition and relatability.
The “little” bonus, if you enjoy classical music, is the lineup Tasha discreetly but purposefully threads through the story. Each piece feels intentional, reflecting Roxanne’s evolution. Her wounds show most clearly when she plays for herself, composing melodies from the depths of her soul. The unwritten notes we can't quite hear, are where the story hits hardest.
Because when she reaches down, it makes you reach down too. To the places you don’t want to go anymore.
The inner workings of Roxanne’s relationship with herself are the heartbeat of Tasha’s writing... and I felt it deeply."
If someone asked you why you write, what would you answer in one sentence?
Sharing my stories lets me be the most honest version of myself.
Which book are you most proud of and why?
Of course I love all of my books for different reasons, but I think I’m most proud of Frogs, Fireworks and Forever because it became exactly the story I wanted it to be.
It’s warm, emotional, hopeful, and comforting. I often describe it as a warm hug in a book, because even in the heavier moments, the story never lets go of you.
What would you tell an aspiring writer?
Be strong and keep going.
Writing can break your heart one day and completely light you up the next. But knowing that someone chose to spend time with your words and felt something because of them is one of the best feelings in the world.
What's a wish you have for yourself as an author?
More time.
Writing is something I fit in between work and life, usually in stolen little moments. My biggest wish as an author is simply more time to sit with my stories and give them everything I have.
What's a wish you have for yourself as a person?
More time.
I sometimes wish I had been brave enough to publish earlier in life, but I’m incredibly grateful that I finally took the leap.
Do you have a message for your audience
You are the reason I write. Truly.
I hope my stories make you laugh, feel seen, heal a little, and believe in love again.
