Shelia Goss is a national bestselling and award-winning author known for her captivating romance novels and dynamic, emotionally rich storytelling. With bold narratives, high-glam energy, and heroine-centered plots, Shelia brings heart, heat, and sophistication to every page. She is the author of more than twenty-one books, including the Essence bestselling My Invisible Husband and the critically acclaimed The Joneses and Delilah. USA Today praised her, saying, "Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose." An AAMBC Romance Author of the Year and Library Journal Best Books honoree, Shelia continues to make her mark in both the literary and screenwriting worlds. Her work spans multiple genres, but romance remains her heart and passion.

 Stay to the end of the interview where we share  a character to character interview with Charlotte from Ms. Goss' novel Worth the Risk and Lilly-Rose McIntyre my character from the romance novel, Tripping Prince Charming. Now, lets get into it.

Ms. Goss, when did you start writing, and what did you write about?

I began writing around age nine after a teacher encouraged me to write poetry and short stories. I may not remember the exact topics, but that early encouragement sparked a lifelong love of writing.

What is the difference in your perception between now and the time you started writing?

When I first started writing, I was a child, so my perception of the world was very different. Everything felt imaginative and instinctive. Now, I write with lived experience, emotional awareness, and a deeper understanding of people, relationships, and consequences, which naturally shapes how I tell stories.

Please write a few lines about the books you have published, and what brought you to publishing each one of them.

I’ve published over twenty-one books across several genres, including romance, urban fiction, suspense, young adult, and Christian fiction. I’ve always been an avid reader across genres, so writing in multiple categories felt like a natural extension of my curiosity and creativity. Each genre allows me to explore different themes, voices, and emotional spaces while still centering strong storytelling and relatable characters.

What are you writing about now and why are you writing this book?

I’m revising the next two books in my Women in Hollywood Collection, No One Has to Know and Off Script. I’m writing these stories to further explore love, ambition, and the personal cost of living and loving in the public eye.

Tell me, how do you go about writing your books? Do the ideas just pop in your head or do you have to plot and plan?

My ideas usually come to me in dreams, whether I’m asleep or daydreaming. I start by writing a short paragraph about what the story is, then the characters begin to reveal themselves. They give me their names, their personalities, and their histories. From there, I “interview” the characters so I can understand them deeply. Once I know them like the back of my hand, they tell their own stories. I’m simply the vessel that brings those stories to life.

I can understand that. As a writer myself, I am always astounded at how imaginary people in my head can construct a full world. Your trailer is amazing. I’ve watched several of your marketing videos and am impressed. Congratulations.

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfGcizaXohA

Book blurb for Worth the Risk

They built their empires under the spotlight. Now love might steal the show.

She built the brand everyone in Hollywood wants to touch.
He’s the voice every playlist can’t live without.
When attraction collides with secrets and scandal, can love survive the glare of fame?

Charlotte Richards turned ambition into an empire, shaping her legacy one headline, one deal, and one star at a time. Polished, unbothered, and always in control, she promised herself she’d never blur business with pleasure. Then came Sean Maxwell, R&B’s most magnetic performer, with a voice that could move millions and a smile that could make her forget the rules.

Sean has everything—fame, fortune, and fans who can turn any mistake into a trending topic. But behind the swagger is a man who knows what he wants, and what he wants is Charlotte. He’s ready to risk it all—his career, his reputation, even his heart—to have her.

When old secrets surface and viral rumors threaten to destroy everything they’ve built, the queen of strategy and the king of smooth must decide if love is the power they’ve both been chasing or the price they can’t afford to pay.

I’m having a bit of a hard time marketing my books. What are your techniques and do you feel they are working? 

I approach marketing with the mindset that visibility matters, so I’m willing to try creative and nontraditional strategies. For the Women in Hollywood Collection, I’ve developed custom graphics specific to each book, created a music soundtrack to match the tone of the story, and outsourced portions of my marketing to expand reach. It’s still early in the process, so I’ll have a clearer picture of the results in a month or two. What I can say now is that these efforts have helped generate conversation and buzz around the books, which is an important first step.

I recently came across your TikTok page, it will definitely generate plenty of conversation.  You also had a novel idea. "Worth the Risk," brings the drama and its own soundtrack. Enticement and musical entertainment in one package. https://www.youtube.com/@NoiraBlaze I like it. 

Where can the audience purchase your books?

Amazon US: https://bit.ly/3LU9LAr  

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-the-risk-shelia-goss/1148843267?ean=9781967565108

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Worth-the-Risk-Audiobook/B0G5BG4C88?eac_link=DQNPDDtORFgq&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0G5BG4C88&qid=7fGbQHkZUb&eac_id=137-1816438-1497264_7fGbQHkZUb&sr=1-1

1.       What hobbies or activities do you enjoy other than writing?

Outside of writing, I enjoy learning and experimenting with different AI tools to create graphics and visual content. It allows me to blend creativity with technology and explore new ways to bring ideas to life.

Etsy Store:

Thank you for your time and stopping over to chat with us here at IN THE CHAIR. It’s been fun.

Thank you. I’m honored.

Connect with Shelia

Website | www.sheliagoss.com   

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/shelia.goss      

Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/sheliamgoss        

Newsletter |  https://shelia-m-goss-author-screenwriter.kit.com/5eaf5297e2  

Character to Character Interview Questions for IN THE CHAIR 

(WORTH THE RISK from Charlotte’s perspective)

1.      Lillie-Rose: What do you like about your situation in your book?

What I like about my situation is that I can care without losing myself. I’m close enough to offer support and understanding, while still staying grounded. I see the pressures people carry behind the scenes, and that makes me more protective than judgmental.

2.      Lillie-Rose: What do you dislike about your situation in your book?

 What I dislike is watching my clients live under constant scrutiny and being left to protect them and manage the fallout.

3.       Lillie-Rose: If you had a chance to rewrite your ‘story’, what would you change?

 I wouldn’t change anything. The good and the bad shaped me into the woman I am today, and I value the strength and clarity that came from it.

4.      Lillie-Rose: What do you wish people will learn/ enjoy about your story?

 I hope people enjoy seeing the real, human side behind the scenes. I want them to understand that everyone, no matter how polished things look on the outside, is just trying to love, protect themselves, and get through life the best they can.

5.           Lillie-Rose: What do you really think about your author? I think my author sees me. She understands my flaws, my instincts, and my heart. She lets me be strong without hardening me and vulnerable without breaking me, and I trust her to tell my story with care.