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On a recent episode of The Miami Book Hub Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Miami Beach author Asha Elias \u2014 on the eve of her wedding, no less \u2014 to talk books, satire, publishing, and why sometimes our very best intentions can bring out the very worst in us.<\/p>\n
Asha is the author of Pink Glass Houses and The Namaste Club, two sharp, funny novels rooted in a Florida many of us will recognize immediately. Pink Glass Houses was inspired by her life as a Miami Beach mom and follows hypercompetitive PTA women fighting for control of a public school\u2019s social hierarchy.<\/p>\n
As Asha explained, \u201cSometimes our best intentions bring out the worst in us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her second novel, The Namaste Club, turns its satirical eye toward the wellness world, following an eclectic group at a Central Florida yoga retreat, along with a 13-foot American alligator named Bubba. Only in Florida.<\/p>\n
What struck me most about Asha\u2019s writing is that her humor is not mean-spirited. She is clearly poking fun at the ridiculousness around us, but she includes herself in the joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cSatire should be funny and observant but not overly critical, not malicious,\u201d she told me. \u201cI try to always put a little bit of myself in the book. So, I\u2019m satirizing myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
That perspective may explain why her books feel so recognizably Miami and Florida. They are exaggerated, yes, but only slightly, which, frankly, is what makes them funny.<\/p>\n
We also talked about Asha\u2019s path to traditional publishing. After sending roughly 25 query letters, she connected with a literary agent who believed in her work and knew exactly where to take it. But Asha was quick to note that publishing is changing and that there is no single \u201ccorrect\u201d path.<\/p>\n
\u201cSelf-publishing authors are doing great,\u201d she said. \u201cThey\u2019re telling stories that traditional might not understand yet, but readers do.\u201d
As a soon-to-be self-published author myself, I appreciated that very much.<\/p>\n
For aspiring writers, Asha\u2019s advice was refreshingly unglamorous: write even when you do not feel inspired, and get comfortable with failure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you only write when you feel inspired, you\u2019re not going to write very much,\u201d she said. \u201cFirst drafts are never beautiful. They\u2019re going to be messy. Just get it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
And then came perhaps the most important lesson.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to hear a lot more no\u2019s than yes\u2019es, but all you need is one yes, and it\u2019ll be the right yes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ironically, \u201cjust say yes\u201d is also Asha\u2019s approach to promoting her books. Book club? Yes. Podcast? Yes. Reader reaches out? Respond. That willingness to connect has helped build not only her readership, but her place in Miami\u2019s growing literary community.<\/p>\n
She summed up that community beautifully.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most beautiful things about the Miami book community is how authors support one another because we know how difficult that can be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Following my conversation with Asha, we welcomed USA Today bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein back for our monthly Reading with Rochelle segment.<\/p>\n
Rochelle brought four summer picks: Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels, An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton, Rewrite the Stars by Lindsay Hameroff, and Daniel Silva\u2019s latest thriller, Ransom.<\/p>\n
Her prescription for surviving Miami\u2019s sweltering summer? Escapism.<\/p>\n
Of Star-crossed Summer, Rochelle said, \u201cIf anyone\u2019s looking for that sink-your-toes-in-the-sand romance with some Hollywood glitter, this one is it.\u201d And of Ransom, she predicted readers would be \u201cflipping pages late into the night.\u201d<\/p>\n
That is exactly what Reading with Rochelle is about: discovering another story, another author, and perhaps the next book that keeps you up far later than you intended.<\/p>\n
To watch or listen to the full episode \u2014 and explore the broader Miami Book Hub platform (Podcast + Newsletter + Column) \u2014 visit ThreeTreasuresPress.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about Asha Elias and her books, follow her at Instagram.com\/asha.sue.elias<\/a>. To explore Rochelle Weinstein\u2019s books, newsletter, and monthly picks, visit RochelleWeinstein.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Until next time\u2026keep reading, keep writing, and stay curious, Miami!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ABOUT US:<\/p>\n For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami\u2019s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami\u2019s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.<\/p>\n This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.<\/p>\n Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami\u2019s culture. Whether you\u2019re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami\u2019s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com<\/a> or Grant@communitynewspapers.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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