She may look like a rap superstar, but the writing diva, Miasha, is a 100% certified author.  This Philadelphia native and Essence bestselling author has delivered four books in just two years.  Her latest is entitled, Sistah for Sale, and it tackles the criminally overlooked issue of human trafficking in the sex slave industry. 

The novel follows protagonist, Sienna, a beautiful young orphan, born into Miami's sex-trade industry; the illegal importation of young women from around the world.  The plot captures Sienna’s quest for independence as she aims to break free of this modern day slavery.

Sixshot talked with Miasha about the sex slave industry, legalizing prostitution, her foundation to help youth, dealing with her mother’s HIV-positive status, why she has to deal with haters in the literary world, her flashy sense of style, and more.    

With this book you did more research than writing.  Was there anything in your research that really stuck out to you?

I found out that there was more money involved in human trafficking than in drugs and firearms trafficking.  You constantly hear about the war against drugs or even firearms, but the sex trade is something that you sometimes you never hear about it. 

I think it should take more of a forefront in news and politics, or at least as much forefront as drugs and firearms.  There was a quote that said “Why sell drugs when you have to pay for the product?  You sell it once and then you have to use the process to buy more—when you can just sell humans over and over again.”  That quote really grabbed me.

The main character in the book is a fictional spokesperson for this issue.  So what did you want to imbue her with in order to get the message across about the sex slave industry?

I wanted her to have the power within to bring a stop to what was going on.  A lot of movies, documentaries, or situations that deal with the sex slave industry—you get a third party who comes in and brings the bad guy down, and rescues the women or the victims.  I wanted to give that power to the main character because once she found her will then she made the way.

In the book the antagonist is male.  I’m wondering if in your research you found females who were part of running the sex slave industry.

I did.  I even came across couples where a man and his wife are enslaving children.  In some cases it’s the girls own mother’s who sell them to the sex trade.  So it’s definitely women out there who are enslaving their children, women who are selling the children to enslavement, and there are women who participate in it with their husbands.

Some advocate that prostitution should be legalized as it is in some overseas counties.  What are your thoughts on that view?

I don’t think it should be legalized.  I think that there should be more resources and supportive systems for prostitutes.  A lot of women who resort to prostitution have other issues that need to be addressed.  I don’t think that those issues get addressed.  There should be more things focused on that as opposed to regulating or legalizing it.

Do you agree with the argument that stripping and pornography help create a culture with an insatiable sexual appetite, and thereby influence the illegal sex slave industry?

I think for illegal sex slavery it’s more based on the money than the sex.  I think for the people that are selling these women—it’s big business for them.  Now the people that are buying these women—a lot of the men who engage in sexual activity with trafficked women or girls have issues that reach far beyond pornography.  An average productive citizen can enjoy pornography for its pleasure or for their own purposes, and not be enticed to engage in an illegal aspect of prostitution or human trafficking.

Then you have men and women who prey on people who are vulnerable, children in some cases, poverty-stricken, and the ones who really don’t have a choice or say in the matter.  That’s more of a sickness and mental illness and you have other issues than pleasure.  So I don’t think that pornography entices people to go into it on the illegal aspect.  I think that they’re separate entities.

I think that what those who hold that view are getting at is the idea that the portrayal of women as sex objects, may connect to the dehumanization of women in the illegal sex slave trade.

I really don’t believe it is.  In doing my research in the sex trade you get a lot of young girls who are anywhere between five years old and twelve years old.  These aren’t girls that you see in these videos—you see women.  So for the men who participate in sexual activity with 5-12 year olds—I can’t see a woman in a video being the gateway to them exploring sex with a child or minor.  So I don't think those two connect.  I think that the sex slave industry and human trafficking is much deeper than pornography, and deeper than what we see in music videos and hip-hop culture.  It’s a disturbing situation in itself.

You don’t just write about serious issues but you actually get involved in the community with the Ask Miasha foundation—

We did an event for back to school and we want to do that annually.  I do a bunch of speaking engagements.  I was just at a youth prison where I did a whole day of speaking to different groups within the prison, and just donating books to these types of places.  We do a lot of donations for AIDS.  My mother is HIV positive so that’s definitely a charity that I'm heavily involved in.  Mostly we help the youth—underprivileged people as a whole.  Anyway we can give back we try to.

What struggles did you overcome in your childhood?

Growing up both of my parents were addicted to drugs.  My mother wasn’t a part of my life for a great deal of it.  So those two things were the major struggles that I had to overcome.  I think all of what I've been through has made me the person that I am today.  So I wouldn’t change it.  It’s definitely one of those things that I try to get out there as much as possible.  I know there are other people who may be going through situations like that, and they might not see the light at the end of the tunnel.  So I can represent that light and hopefully inspire people.

How did you overcome your struggles?

I had a strong family that’s been there when my parents weren’t doing their job.  I was community oriented.  So I had biological family members and the guidance and love from people in my community when I was coming up.  I know it’s a lot different now.  I also had a strong spiritual connection from early on.  When I was twelve I remember having this strong relationship with God.  I would say that is number one.  That spiritual connection pulled me through a lot.

How is your relationship with your parents now?

Well my mom and dad are clean and sober.  They are very much a part of my life now.  They are my number one supporters.  They come to my release parties and wear T-shirts with my promotions on them.  They constantly talk about me at their jobs and are really proud of me.  So our relationship is very close.  It is a blessing that they’re even alive to share in this and see what I’ve become.  So overall I'm really happy and really blessed.  I’m in a good place in my life.

You produced five novels in two years.  How do you work so quickly?

I’m definitely tenacious and disciplined.  If I know I want to do something I do it.  I put my mind to it and get it done.  At the same token I've been writing so long that I have so many stories ready to go.  It was just a matter of putting it out on paper.  That’s the easiest part.  The hard part is coming up with the idea or a plot.

How do you think you’ve evolved as a writer during these two years?

With this book I did so much research to get it written—that in itself has shown evolution as a writer.  On the business side of things, Simon & Schuster gave me my own month.  It’s a Miasha month company wide where no other female urban author will be able to put out a book during that month.  On the business side of things the evolution and accomplishment of Miasha month says a lot.

I’m sure you have a lot of female authors hating on you right now.  [Laughs]

Unfortunately, I mean if it was someone else I would be happy for that person.  It would tell me that the doors are opening up wider.  I'm sure there will be some people who will dislike that.

One of the things that I noticed about you is that your look is not typical of the average author.  Your style is flashier.  Where does that come from and do you use that as a way to give yourself an edge in marketing?

I’m from West Philadelphia.  Anybody who knows West Philly knows that it’s a huge fashion show.  Whenever we go out it’s time to put it on.  So that’s something that I've had within me for a long time.  I was always the flashy one.  I didn’t change it once I started writing books.  I’m still who I am but flashier.  [Laughs]  My income increased so I’m able to do more.  I think it definitely has a marketing edge.  When people can believe something they tend to flock to it.  I do give that flash in my books and that luxurious lifestyle of high-maintenance women.

So when people see me they can believe that I know what I’m talking about.  That gives you a leg up in your marketing approach.  A pretty girl or someone who looks the part is going to get that attention.  Some men might not be big fans of reading, but they may see a flyer with me on it.  I’m looking like a rap star and they can relate to that image.  That might prompt them to go buy the book.  So I’m even widening my fan base off of that appearance and image.  So all of that definitely plays a part in my marketing and gives me an edge.

For more information please visit:
www.miasha.com