ABOUT TANYA

I never planned on becoming an author—life had other ideas.

Growing up on the Northside of Minneapolis where my father ran the Capri Theater (yes, where Prince gave his first concert!), I absorbed stories everywhere I went. But it would take decades before I finally found my own voice as a storyteller.

My unlikely path began as a precocious child, evolved through my years as a teenage hacker, and culminated when federal authorities labeled me "one of the single biggest threats to the entire United States banking system." Not exactly the traditional route to publishing. But when I decided to share my story with my daughter, everything changed. That personal project blossomed into my debut memoir, Never Saw Me Coming.

When that book became an Amazon Editor's Pick, a Barnes & Noble Best Non-Fiction of 2024, and one of The New York Times Best Books of the Summer, I couldn't believe it. And when Universal Pictures announced a film adaptation starring Janelle Monáe? Completely surreal.

But here's what I didn't expect: I absolutely love writing. It's become my playground, my therapy, and my greatest joy all rolled into one.

My memoir gave me the chance to share my truth, but fiction? That's where the real magic happens. With THE HOA, I've discovered the thrill of building entire worlds from scratch. What began as a dark comedy took an unexpected turn as I let my imagination run wild—evolving into a psychological thriller that explores the unsettling potential of what happens when surveillance and control intersect in seemingly perfect communities. I get to explore power dynamics, oversight, and resistance—themes that shaped my own life—but through characters who take on lives of their own.

My life has given me a unique lens on both extraordinary success and profound challenges. That's why my advocacy work focuses on prison reform, racial justice, women's rights, and economic equality. I'm particularly passionate about amplifying voices society often silences—the disadvantaged, disabled, homeless, and underestimated. I've stood where they stand, and I know the transformative power of having someone believe in your potential when everything else suggests you're finished.

What connects all my writing is a commitment to taking you places you've never been or dreamed of going. Some of these journeys will be based on real events, others purely imagined, but all will challenge perspectives and hopefully spark meaningful conversations.

These days, you'll find me in Southern California, crafting my next narrative, speaking truth to power, and embracing this unexpected chapter of my life with equal parts wonder and determination.

Thank you for joining me on this path. I never saw any of this coming, but I'm grateful to have you along for the ride.

—Tanya