“There’s so many people in this country that aren’t just Caucasian,” Zapata said. But as a writer today, she wants to give her readers someone they can relate to a bit more. Zapata remembers when reading books as a kid, she would imagine herself as the heroine regardless of what she looked like. As an Asian-American, it was such a sobering realization, and one I couldn’t shake off as I finished the book. About halfway through the book, I thought, This is the first romance book I have ever read with a minority character as the protagonist. I was incredibly lucky to have the chance to speak with Mariana over the phone. From why minority characters in romance are so essential in today’s society to where she gets such unconventional ideas for the premises of her stories, Mariana was more than willing to get to the heart of what makes writing so rewarding.Īrguably the best of her work, Kulti features heroine Sal Casillas, who comes from a Hispanic background. But what truly makes some of her heroines stand out compared to others in the romance genre is their diversity. The heroines make significant strides in both their careers and relationships with friends and family. Zapata’s ability to craft incredible storylines for female characters is unparalleled.

We see the heroine’s growth within the relationship, but outside of the relationship-as an individual- as well. Zapata is well-known within the indie community for her slow-burn romances, and her exceptional character development for both the heroine and hero. What do a p*rn star, a biker, a soccer phenomenon and a football player have in common? They’re all heroes in indie author Mariana Zapata’s novels- Kulti, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, and Under Locke, to name a few-and only part of what makes her books so memorable.

Kulti novel