Lailo Lema
Lailo Lema is a dark fiction author. Her work explores the intersection of desire and dread. She writes across multiple genres, with a particular focus on erotic horror and gothic-inspired fairytales. Her writing incorporates synesthetic elements and deliberate artistic design. Her writing has gained traction on Wattpad, where her story, I’d Keep Her Bound, reached #1 in the Graphic Content category. She is the founder of Ebon & Onyx Press that hosts the Quill Prize, an award highlighting authors in gothic, horror, and dark romance genres. She has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine and Bold Journey.
Early Life
Lailo Lema was born on May 28, 2002 in Nashville, TN. She grew up engaging heavily with daydreams, journaling, and imaginative play. She began writing short stories as a child, often inspired by school experiences and early crushes. Lema was influenced by gothic fairytales and frequently turned to stories involving “Prince Charming” archetypes during periods of personal difficulty. These early interests helped develop her interest in darker, adult reinterpretations of fairytale themes. Throughout her youth, she consistently used storytelling as a creative outlet.
Career Beginnings
Lema first became active in creative work through spicy audio stories under the alias, ‘coquettedoll’, which accumulated over 100,000 downloads per month. Seeking to translate her narrative ideas into written form, she shifted toward writing fiction. She has cited YSF, an audio creator, and Jenika Snow, a novella-focused author, as early influences on her approach to storytelling.
Her initial written works were published on Wattpad, where her taboo age-gap, I’d Keep Her Bound, gained significant readership and reached #1 in the platform’s Graphic Content category. Following this success, she expanded into writing horror and dark romance short works, which received attention for their evocative and lyrical style.
Career
In addition to her writing, Lailo Lema founded Ebon & Onyx Press aimed at supporting authors who specialize in gothic, horror, and dark romance genres. The press also administers the Quill Prize, created to highlight emerging voices in dark fiction.
She maintains an online presence characterized by a dark, ethereal aesthetic, reflected in her personal branding and social media imagery. Her work has been covered in publications such as Voyage LA Magazine and Bold Journey. In addition to her writing, Lema hosts a the All Things Booktok podcast discussing trends in booktok and the dark romance genre, focusing on emerging authors, popular themes, and storytelling techniques. She has also produced a short film titled, Anathema, that explores themes of duality, specifically “acceptance of one’s humanity; humanizing the carnal side of nature.”
Her debut novel, Sick Punt, is currently forthcoming.
Themes and Style
Lema’s work frequently explores:
- taboo and boundary-pushing subject matter
- the intersections of sexuality, power, and fear
- darker reinterpretations of fairytale and gothic motifs
- psychological tension and emotional discomfort
She has stated that she aims for readers to recognize aspects of themselves in her characters and narratives, including elements they may feel hesitant or embarrassed to acknowledge. Her fiction often seeks to evoke introspection through discomfort, desire, and moral complexity.
Personal Life
Despite the dark subject matter of her writing, Lailo Lema is known for having a bubbly personality. She has expressed an enjoyment of plush toys, swings, and childlike hobbies. She has also noted that she retains a youthful, playful side alongside her focus on dark and mature themes.
Bibliography
Filmography
- Anathema — A short drama film about self-discovery and acceptance of one’s humanity; humanizing the carnal side of nature.(2025)
Official Sites
Quick Facts
How old is Lailo Lema?
Lailo Lema was born on May 28, 2002.
Where is Lailo Lema from?
Lailo Lema was born in Nashville, TN.
What ethnicity is Lailo Lema?
Lailo Lema is African American.
How tall is Lailo Lema?
Lailo Lema is 5’2.