Meet Jamyla

Jamyla Philyaw is an author, playwright and storyteller whose work explores love, resilience, restoration and the relationships that shape us. Before publishing her debut novel, Built to Love, Jamyla spent years writing and producing stage productions known for emotionally rich characters, authentic relationships and stories grounded in the complexities of love and family. Her theatrical works include When Love Isn’t Enough, Tying Loose Ends, These Three Words, 4th Base, His Side Her Side, Diamond in the Rough, A Mother’s Love and Love’s Dilemma. With Built to Love, Jamyla brings that same emotional depth to contemporary romance, telling stories about imperfect people navigating change, rediscovering themselves and making room for love in unexpected places. Whether on the page or the stage, she is drawn to stories that remind us that healing is rarely linear, relationships are rarely simple, and sometimes the greatest act of courage is allowing ourselves to love…and be loved again. Jamyla lives in Alabama with her three children—one son, Kevin, and two Tennessee Walking horses, Push and Dream-and continues to create stories across books, film, music and live performance.