Taylor Darks is a sociology doctoral candidate at Florida State University. She writes stories that she would have loved as a child in hopes of inspiring the next generation of Black girls to feel confident in themselves. When she’s not writing or studying, she’s probably dreaming about Skyline Chili from her hometown of Cincinnati or getting inspired by the antics of her furry sidekicks Gremlin, Luna, and Nonna. You can visit her online at taylordarks.com.

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Welcome to my website! I'm Taylor Darks and I am a firm believer that being an author is more than just writing stories—it’s about creating worlds where people like me, like us, can see ourselves, dream, and feel empowered. I am the author of the picture book Be Black Girl, Be, a project that is close to my heart because it embodies everything I wish I had as a young reader. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, I now call Washington, D.C., home. I’m also a very proud Florida A&M University alum—#GoRattlers!—and currently pursuing my doctoral degree in Sociology.

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I write for the quirky Black girls, the ones who might need a little (or a lot) of a push to feel confident in themselves. I write for those who deserve to see themselves as the main characters of their own stories, not just as sidekicks or afterthoughts. The first novel I read by a Black woman was Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison in my 11th-grade English class. That book changed everything for me. Before then, I had never fully understood the depth that writing could hold—the layers, the meanings, the way words could carry entire histories, emotions, and truths. Growing up, I didn’t often see myself reflected in books, so now, being part of a generation of authors expanding Black women’s joy, representation, and realities is an incredible honor.

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While my books are for everyone to enjoy, my heart holds a special place for little Black girls who look like me and who may face similar obstacles along their journeys. I don’t confine myself to any one genre, but children’s books are the most fun to write because they allow me to create the kinds of stories I needed as a child. My philosophy is simple: Write the book you needed to read. When you do that, the words will always find the people who need them most.

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Right now, I’m working on a graphic novel, a new take on my book The Fluffy Adventures of Fromo, and a romance novel. I can’t wait to share these stories with you all! And because I love hearing from my readers, I invite you to visit my contact page—whether it’s just to say hello or to tell me what my books mean to you. Your voices matter, and I can’t wait to hear from you!