Tia Williams
Tia Williams | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Author, editor |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Known for | The Accidental Diva, The Perfect Find, Seven Days in June |
Tia Williams is an American author and editor, recognized for works such as The Accidental Diva (2004), The Perfect Find (2016), and Seven Days in June (2021). Alongside her writing career, she has extensive experience in fashion editing and currently holds the position of editorial director at the Estée Lauder Companies.
Early life and education
Growing up in a suburban area of Virginia, Williams began her writing journey early, completing her first manuscript by the age of seven. She acknowledges The Westing Game as a significant influence on her literary development. Williams graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in 1997 and has been residing in Brooklyn since then.
Career
Williams initiated her professional writing path in 2004 by creating the fashion blog Shake Your Beauty. Her editorial career includes positions at Essence, Glamour, Teen People, and Elle. Additionally, she served as the lead copywriter for Bumble and bumble over a five-year period. Since 2020, she has been serving as editorial director at the Estée Lauder Companies.
Her first novel, The Accidental Diva (2004), was launched amid a surge of chick lit from Black authors and garnered favorable reviews for its vibrant narrative style. In 2006, Williams collaborated with model Iman to co-write The Beauty of Color and also authored two young adult novels titled It Chicks and It Chicks: Sixteen Candles.
Published by Hachette, The Perfect Find (2016) explores the story of a fashion editor who develops romantic feelings for her rival manager’s son. This book was later adapted into a Netflix movie featuring producer Gabrielle Union, which premiered in 2023.
In 2021, Williams released Seven Days in June, a novel about two writers reuniting after a decade and a half. The story’s main character experiences chronic migraines, a condition that Williams herself shares. The book achieved commercial success, appearing on the New York Times Best Seller list and earning a spot in Reese Witherspoon's book club. It received widespread critical praise and is currently being adapted into a television series produced by Will Packer Media, with Williams acting as executive producer.
Her most recent publication, A Love Song For Ricki Wilde, was launched in February 2024 through Grand Central Publishing and rapidly attained status as a USA Today Bestseller.
Personal life
Williams entered into marriage in 2021 and is a parent to one child.
Works
- The Accidental Diva (Peanut Press/Palm Reader, 2004)
- Co-authored with Iman, The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color (Grand Central Publishing, 2006)
- The It Chicks (Hyperion/Jump At the Sun, 2007)
- Sixteen Candles (an It Chicks novel) (Hyperion/Jump At the Sun, 2008)
- The Perfect Find (Brown Girl Books, 2016)
- Seven Days in June (Grand Central Publishing, 2021)
- A Love Song For Ricki Wilde (Grand Central Publishing, 2024)
- Audre & Bash Are Just Friends (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025)
Accolades
- 2016 – Bronze Independent Publisher Award for Multicultural Fiction (The Perfect Find)
- 2016 – African American Literary Award for Best Fiction (The Perfect Find)