St. Petersburg author Tamara Lush, also known as Tara Lush, stopped by the Arts Alive! podcast studio this week. The conversation highlighted her prolific output—about thirty books to date—and her transition from a long career in journalism to full‑time fiction writing.
From newsroom to novels
Lush spent decades covering hard‑news beats for the St. Petersburg Times and the Miami newsroom before joining the Associated Press, where she reported for 13 years. Her reporting portfolio included coverage of mass shootings and prison executions, experiences she says contributed to a sense of professional numbness that eventually prompted a career change.
At age 50, Lush decided to leave the press behind and focus on romance and mystery writing. Under her birth name she authored steamy romance novels set in exotic locales. As Tara Lush, she now writes “cozy mysteries”—whodunits that avoid graphic violence and instead emphasize puzzle‑solving and character interaction.
Festival preview
Lush is among a roster of authors scheduled to appear at the FloridaRAMA Literary Festival on Saturday. The event will give readers a chance to meet the writer, purchase copies of her books, and obtain signed editions. Festival organizers describe the gathering as a celebration of regional literary talent, and Lush’s presence underscores the festival’s focus on both romance and mystery genres.
During the podcast, Lush described the shift from reporting facts to crafting fictional worlds as both challenging and rewarding. She noted that the discipline of deadline‑driven journalism helped her maintain a steady writing schedule, while the creative freedom of fiction allows her to explore themes of love, community, and redemption.
Community impact
Local readers have responded positively to Lush’s work, appreciating the blend of escapist romance and gentle mystery that aligns with the tastes of many St. Petersburg book clubs. Her upcoming festival appearance offers an opportunity for fans to engage directly with a writer who has deep roots in the city’s media landscape.
Listeners can replay the full Arts Alive! interview by clicking the audio player on the podcast’s website.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
