Empowering Voices: The Impact of ‘Pum Pum Rock’ by Leslie Anne Frye-Thomas

Leslie Anne Frye-Thomas is an Emmy-Award-winning writer, wife, and adoptive mother with an unapologetic passion for black queer stories. As a Creative-Director and first-time author, Leslie Anne’s career spans two decades. In that time, she’s produced original content for video, stage, and print. Leslie Anne is energized by life’s complexities and, as a queer artist of color, she’s committed to reflecting its intricacies in her work. The author solidifies this in “Pum Pum Rock,” the story of a young Jamaican woman who, years after surviving a brutal conversion therapy attempt, returns home not just to face her demons—but to bury them.

First things first, how did we develop an interest in writing?

I’ve always loved creative writing. In high school, my bestie and I would spend hours at Barnes & Noble creating the silliest short stories. A proud word, I was honored to be admitted to NYU’s creative writing program for teens. Years later, I moved to Los Angeles, earned a screenwriting degree, began working for Warner Brothers, and have been writing professionally ever since.

When did you realize you had a story that the world needed to hear? “Living Single” and “Girlfriends” are two of my all-time favorite shows. I just loved watching those sassy, sexy, and sophisticated sistas on screen. Like most Black women, I saw myself in the characters. And while I connected with the storylines, something was missing. The shows covered an array of topics, but because they didn’t spotlight LGBTQ+ issues, these iconic series did not represent the full spectrum of Black culture.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire. As an artist, these are both the tenets that I live by and the ultimate goal of my romantic thriller, “Pum Pum Rock—There’s No Place Like Homo.” I knew the world needed to hear this story, when I realized that I was spending more time looking for content that I could relate with than actually watching it.

What was the writing process like, did you come up with your title first and build around it or did the manuscript come first?

The creative process took about six years and tons of rewrites. The story was originally intended to be a Black version of the “L-Word.” But as a recent transplant to south Florida, the story evolved to be less reflective of my life in liberal Los Angeles and more reflective of my new life in what was in many ways steeped in conservative, Caribbean culture.

The creative process consisted of outlining the story’s structure and using that outline to write the book, which would go through many iterations. Eventually, I got brave enough to share with beta readers, who of course had notes, which triggered another flurry of rewrites. Once happy with the work I hired an editor who had substantial feedback.

Receiving her notes was a humbling experience, but together, she and I reworked the outline, really got to the root of the story, and in 2021, published the final and current version of “Pum Pum Rock.”

What is the message behind your title?

Also known as the 8th wonder of the world, Pum Pum Rock is a natural rock formation located in Jamaica. It’s the chosen title of my debut novel because, like the massive rock, my lead character, Nate Higgins is as tough as a rock—reason being, she’s a lesbian, living in a country that outlaws homosexuality.

More than a play on words (There’s No Place Like Home), the subtitle, “There’s No Place Like Homo” in essence means that no matter where you land on that ever-expanding LGBTQ+ rainbow you understand what it feels like to be othered. No matter your race, age, gender, socio-economic status (etc.) if you identify as LGBTQ+ you’ve endured discrimination and judgment from strangers and oftentimes, even loved ones.

In essence, “Pum Pum Rock” is my love letter to the LGBTQ+ community. I see you. I understand you. And am beyond proud to represent you.

Can you share 3 takeaways you would like women to take away from your book?

1. As of 2024, same-sex sexual activity is prohibited and punishable by jail time under Jamaica’s 1864, Offences Against the Person Act. Imagine, your mere existence being a crime.

2. Our chosen family are often our biggest supporters.

3. Love is love.

At any moment during your writing process did you experience writers block, what tips do you have for overcoming it?

When I’m hit with a case of writer’s block, it’s usually associated with me being tired. When this happens I step away from the computer, because trying to force creativity has always proven to be counterproductive. For folks working through a creative block, I recommend stepping away from the project. Get some fresh air, exercise, take a nap, watch a movie, phone a friend and have them weigh in. Do whatever it takes to relax. Then, return to the project with a fresh perspective.

Take me through the first moment you held your book in your hands, what did that feel like for you?

After 6 years, and what felt like 600 rewrites, I was beyond proud to hold that bound, paperback in hand. I fell immediately in love with the designer’s eye-catching cover and quickly began calling it a coffee table book—it’s just so pretty.

What would you say was the most challenging part of your writing process?

The most challenging part of the process was finding the time to get ‘er done. As a working mom and wife, multi-tasking was the only option. I always say, “if it’s not written down, it’s not going down,” and I took that mantra to heart. I calendared my writing time and went to the public library because there were fewer distractions there than at my home office.

What key tips do you have for marketing your book and getting it out to the masses?

Because the goal, prayer, and manifestation has always been to adapt “Pum Pum Rock” into a televised series, we wanted to give readers and potential financiers a look at what could be. It’s always been part of the marketing plan to create promotional video clips, so prior to publishing the novel, I enlisted a group of actors to bring the juiciest scenes to life; giving the audience a small taste, without reading a single page of the book.

Although I have a video production and marketing background, authors do not need this type of professional expertise to do the same. Nowadays social media and various apps make content creation incredibly user-friendly.

Another thing I did to market the novel was devise a plan to reach my target audience in various ways. I connected with book clubs and libraries, began teaching creative writing workshops to LGBTQ+ teens, and eventually became such a thought leader in the space, that I’m oftentimes called on as a featured speaker at advocacy events.

And most recently, I’ve begun helping authors both write and market their work—in fact, I’m preparing to host a 3-part self-publishing series, based on my 3 eBooks for indie authors.

What audience is your book written for?

Pum Pum Rock is intended for an 18+ audience, LGBTQ+ and/or women (mostly).

How are you currently using social media as a writer?

Anything I do, whether it’s a speaking engagement or a pop-up vendor event, I use social media to promote it.

Share with us the people or companies that helped create your amazing project?

In addition to my editor, my wife, Carthy, was incredibly supportive throughout the creative process.

Tell us five misconceptions people have about becoming an author?

(1) anyone can do it

(2) A.I. can do it for you

(3) once you write the book, your work is done

(4) you have to do the work alone

(5) you need to be signed to a publishing house

Where do you hope to see your book next?

Since day one, the goal, prayer, and manifestation has been to adapt “Pum Pum Rock” into a televised series. So, regarding where I would like to see the novel next, Amazon or Netflix would be amazing!

If you could go through the process all over again, is there anything you would change?

Hire the editor sooner. That would’ve fast-tracked the entire process.

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