Name Tina Engler Role Author | Spouse David Roy Keen | |
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Books The Empress' New Clot, Breeding Ground, Deep - Dark & Dangerous, The Possession, Death Row | ||
How These Women Made Millions Publishing Erotic E-books
Tina Marie Engler (born January 22, 1972 in Salem, Ohio), better known under the pen name Jaid Black, is a USA Today bestselling author of numerous erotic romance novels. Engler, the founder and majority stock holder of Ellora's Cave Publishing, is behind the creation of what Ellora's Cave has trademarked Romantica, a fusion of the erotica and romance genres in popular English literature. She was honored by Romantic Times Magazine with their first ever Trailblazer Award, both for her Romantica contribution to the romance genre, as well as for her pivotal role in popularizing the e-book.
Contents
- How These Women Made Millions Publishing Erotic E books
- Professional life
- Books
- Early life
- Personal life
- Political activism
- References
Professional life
As a public figure, Engler is most well known for her books penned under the pseudonym Jaid Black, as well as for her rise from the rank of welfare recipient to millionaire entrepreneur. However, it is her legacy as being the creative genius behind the birth of erotic romance for which she will most be remembered. Engler once told a reporter, "I provided something that wasn't out there at the time. It's kind of heady when I think about it." Concerning her legacy, and the reason behind the creation of Romantica, Engler was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as stating, "[Erotic romance] legitimizes the female sexual experience. Women read these books and it makes them feel normal about their own fantasies."
Books
Early life
Engler was born in Salem, Ohio on January 22, 1972 to Patricia "Patty" Robb Marks and Mark Engler. Her parents divorced when she was 4-years-old and she was subsequently moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio where she was raised by her mother. When Tina was age 10, Patty remarried Charles "Chuck" Marks and the family moved to Akron, Ohio. At age 15, Engler and her family once again moved to Tampa, Florida, where she would live until she returned to Akron at age 29.
Personal life
Engler has two daughters, Jasmine (b April 25, 1990) and Jade (b August 9, 1997), for which Engler's distribution company Jasmine-Jade Enterprises is named. Engler has been very public about her ongoing struggle with agoraphobia and Panic Disorder.
Political activism
Engler is an active campaigner for the rights of prisoners and the economically disadvantaged. She served on the board of directors for the Tampa, Florida, chapter of the National Organization for Women through her early to mid twenties. A photograph of her at a political rally protesting cuts to the welfare system still adorns the banner of the Florida NOW National Organization for Women website.