Throwing it back to an intimate Q&A with Erhu Kome.
Before the accolades and the "Gold Standard" selections, we sat down with Erhu to talk about the heart behind Dawsk. From the raw nostalgia of teenage love to the "wahala" of the actual writing process, this quickfire session is a window into the mind of a writer who refuses to be boxed in.
Lara: What’s your favourite thing about writing romance?
Erhu: My favourite thing about writing romance is the moments shared between my main characters. The little, the big. The ones that bond them.
Lara: How has the love you share with your husband inspired your writing?
Erhu: It hasn’t much. Most of my inspiration comes from when I was wildly in love as a teenager. Ignorant of what being an adult entailed. It’s why after Dawsk, the only romance stories I’ve written are for young adult. The love just feels different now. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Lara: What scene in a book of yours have you written that made you emotional?
Erhu: Writing the end of ‘Made of Water’ made me emotional. ‘Take care of your mama’ got me. Everyone has got to take care of their moms.
Lara: You have several stories under your belt, what has been a common writing challenge you’ve faced?
Erhu: Laziness. I can’t call it writer’s block because I know what I need to write. I’m a plotter. I don’t begin without knowing where I’m going. So there’s my plot, to write is the wahala. Although, I’ve got something going on that needs my time and attention, but Thank God I’ve finished writing the story.
Lara: Let’s talk about Dawsk, how would you describe Simi, the female protagonist to people who haven’t read the book?
Erhu: Simi is someone you can rely on. She loves her job, so she’s not like the typical Nigerian nurses you hear of. Also, she’s family-oriented. She wants that fairytale romance but she tends to be shy about her wants.
Lara: To end, what do you consider the best part of your day?
Erhu: The best part of my day is when I get to lie in bed next to my husband and watch anime.
Still thinking about Simi?
It’s been years since this conversation, and while Erhu’s journey has taken her from paranormal romance to award-winning YA fantasy, the honesty in her storytelling remains the same. If you’re ready to dive into the world that started it all, you can read the review of it here Dawsk.
About the Author
Erhu Kome is an award-winning Nigerian author and a pioneer of African speculative fiction. Known for her Urhobo-rooted mythology and surrealist "Bizarro" fiction, her debut YA fantasy, The Smoke That Thunders, was a 2025 Nommo Award finalist and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. When she isn’t fostering the next generation of talent through the E.K. Mentorship Program, she is likely watching anime or exploring new worlds in gaming.