Ashley Poston: The Lexington Native Transforming the Romance Genre

In Lexington, South Carolina, local author Ashley Poston is creating waves in the realm of romance writing. Overcoming a childhood stutter through her love for writing, Poston has surged forward to become one of the leading romance novelists in the industry. Starting with fanfiction, she quickly escalated to penning best-selling novels which she describes as “Happily Ever Afters with a bend of magic.”

From Fanfiction to Full-Time Writer

Around 12 or 13 years old, Poston discovered fanfiction and the joy of creating innovative stories with her favorite characters. As a teenager, she moved on to create her first novel – a 200,000-word epic. Despite working as a graphic designer for a top publishing house after graduating from the University of South Carolina, Poston remained dedicated to her writing, eventually paving the path to her publishing career.

Her first published work, “Geekerella”, was quickly succeeded by numerous young adult novels. However, the real turning point came with the launch of her breakthrough adult romance novel “The Dead Romantics” in 2022, which topped the New York Times Bestseller List and won the “Good Morning America Book” Club Pick.

Finding The Magic in The Tragic

Despite career difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing personal losses, Poston has continued to develop her writing style and her unique take on romance. She often incorporates magical elements into her works, which she believes add new layers to explore and play with. Tackling themes like self-worth, grief, and missed opportunities, her books always promise a “happily ever after,” a anchor within the billion-dollar romance industry.

Activism and Art

While her heart lies in creating beautiful love stories, Poston is also committed to socio-political causes. She works with the Romancing the Vote and Fated States project, which encourages romance authors to rally for Democratic candidates across the country. This activism aligns with her belief that “art doesn’t exist in a vacuum.”

Between her activism and ongoing book tours, Poston is now working on her next novel about “burnt out musicians who have a telepathic connection”. And of course, she continues to write her beloved fanfiction, keeping her roots in the fandoms private as “some things have to be sacred.”

Meet Ashley Poston

Fans of Poston’s novels or those eager to learn more about her creative process can catch her discussing “A Novel Love Story” at All Good Books in Five Points on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.