Unstoppable Storyteller: Niyah Moore on Writing Without Limits

Niyah Moore is a literary powerhouse who refuses to be confined by genre. With over 55 published works, multiple major publishing deals, and a growing presence in theater, she has built a career on storytelling that captivates and challenges readers. In this exclusive Writer Wednesday interview, Niyah shares her creative process, the inspiration behind her latest novel Love Cures, and why she believes in breaking the mold as a writer.

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INK MAG: If one of your characters could interview you, what would they ask?

NIYAH: If one of my characters could interview me, they would ask me, How do you move from genre to genre so easily? And my answer is simple—I don’t believe in being boxed in. It may have hurt my career because most writers stick to one genre and use other pen names for other genres.

INK MAG: What’s a belief or theme you subconsciously explore in your writing, even when you don’t intend to?

NIYAH: Love and romance is a common Niyah Moore theme no matter the genre. There’s always a love story. I’m a hopeless romantic. What can I say?

INK MAG: Have you ever had a reader interpret something in your book in a way that surprised you?

NIYAH: My readers always interpret things in ways that surprise me. I write multi-layered and complex characters that make you think deeply. One book in particular is Major Jazz. A reader once said they found symbolism in the number 4—Major returned after four years, and they saw it as an Angel Number. I didn’t even think about it, but subconsciously, I guess I did.

INK MAG: What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever had for a story?

NIYAH: The most unexpected inspiration I had for Love Cures came from falling in love unexpectedly. I hardly ever get inspired by relationships to write. Songs, movies, and people-watching are my usual inspirations.

INK MAG: What about your writing process would surprise your readers?

NIYAH: A lot of people would be surprised to know that I do not write detailed outlines as a part of my process. I think of the beginning, middle, end, and the point I want to make. The rest is all free write. I let my characters talk to me. Most of the time, I end up changing what I originally thought I was going to write every single time.

INK MAG: Tell us about Love Cures.

NIYAH: Love Cures is a modern-day witchy romance that blends magic, love, and self-discovery.

The story follows Zuri Sweeting, a modern-day witch, who struggles to heal her own heart. She’s tired of Chicago and heartbroken from a horrible relationship, so she leaves and discovers a town called Langston Township. There, she finds good people and a man who just might change everything. But when her ex reappears, she’s forced to confront old wounds and the possibility that real love might be more powerful than any spell she can brew.

It’s a romantic, enchanting, and slightly mystical story perfect for anyone who loves second chances, magic-infused love stories, and strong female leads. The book explores themes of healing, trust, and the idea that sometimes, the greatest love potion is believing in love itself.

Love Cures is available in Audiobook, Paperback, and Ebook formats.

Fuck Love.

There was a time when I thought being in love was the ultimate goal, but Terrell had been

too good to be true, so I should’ve known better. That man had promised me the world, but in the end, he left me with empty promises and a shattered heart. And don’t let me get started on her, of all people, Kaleyah, my so-called best friend. Seeing her with Terrell felt like a dagger had been left in my heart, causing me to bleed internally to a slow and painful death.

How could they betray me?

I trusted them with some of my deepest secrets. That was what hurt me most. They saw me at my worst and even supported me when I needed them, yet they did the most horrible thing you can do to someone you claimed to love.

Cursing every bad memory of them straight to hell, I packed the last of my clothing into a

big suitcase. I stood in the middle of what used to be my bedroom, clutching a small crystal

amulet in my hand. It was supposed to bring clarity, but clearly, it had failed me. I placed it into a duffel bag with my collection of spell books, half-burnt candles, and jars of sea salt. My mama had always said to keep salt close for protection, and although it didn’t shield me from a broken heart, I trusted it would protect me from any other bad juju in the future.

I grabbed my bags, walked down the stairs, and looked around the two-story brick house,

giving it one last glance. It had been my mama’s house before it was mine. I spent all twenty-five years of my life here. She left it to me after she passed away from pancreatic cancer a year ago along with everything else she knew about life, magic, and survival. Her cancer had been unexpected, and it progressed within a few short months. I was unprepared and devastated by the loss. My mama had been my anchor.

This place had always been my home. I was going to miss the old creaky floors and the

scent of lingering jasmine, but now, I felt hollow. All this house did was remind me of

everything I had lost, so I was glad I sold it. This house was now nothing but a museum of

memories, the painful ones outweighing the good.

“Fuck this place too,” I murmured, walking out of the door, and closing it behind me.

The Honda CR-V was already packed with everything I needed for the unknown road

ahead. I stuffed the suitcase and duffle bag inside, filling it to the brim. I sighed because I didn’t know what my life would be like where I was going but anywhere was better than here. All I had were my most treasured things and the heaviness of heartbreak I wasn’t sure how to heal.

I ran my hand through my curly hair which was as wild and untamed as I felt. Mama used

to call me “the sea’s child.” It was her little nod to our Bahamian roots. Mama had been full of magic and kind-heartedness, a force of nature in her own right. I could still remember the way her voice softened whenever she talked about the Bahamas. Her eyes would light up even when the memories were bittersweet. I remember curling up on the couch, barely ten years old, hanging on to her every word like it was a bedtime story.

“My Zuri, you should’ve seen it,” she’d say with a faraway look, her accent thicker, more

Bahamian when she was feeling nostalgic. “De water is like no other place in de world. Crystal blue, warm as a summer breeze. You could walk along de beach for hours, and no matter how much you tried to soak it in, it never felt like enough.”  

— Love Cures BUY THE BOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Niyah Moore – Award-Winning Author, Playwright, and Director

Niyah Moore is a prolific author, playwright, and director who has published over 55 novels, novellas, and short stories to date. A native of Sacramento, California.

Niyah’s journey into the literary world began in 2007 on Myspace. Since then, she has secured multiple independent and major publishing deals and has been featured in prominent anthologies. Known for her engaging storytelling and unforgettable characters, Niyah’s most notable works include Pigalle Palace (featured by Ebony.com) and Tell Yo Bitch (Amazon’s #1 in Urban Fiction for 13 weeks).

In 2014, Niyah signed her first major two-book publishing deal with Simon & Schuster, under New York Times bestselling author Zane’s imprint, Strebor Books. This was followed by a six-book deal in 2019 with Kensington Publishing, under the Urban Renaissance imprint led by New York Times bestselling author Carl Weber. 

Niyah’s talents extend beyond literature. She is the playwright and director of Tinker the Toy Maker (2024) and Major Jazz (2025), both staged in her hometown of Sacramento. Her captivating storytelling continues to evolve, earning her accolades such as the 2013 Exceptional Women of Color Award of Northern California, two African American Literary Awards for Best Anthology, and a nomination for the 2015 AAMBC Literary Award for Best Digital Publisher.

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