Sabine Sapia

Writer

Author: admin

  • Atlanta Writers Conference

    So … I have done it. I went to a writer’s conference. And it was great. Mostly I prefer hiding — preferably behind some kind of book, my laptop is also ok. People-watching. I just love people-watching. But — even for me — it was easy to socialize.

    But let me start from the beginning. It started on a Thursday. Driving from Greenville to Atlanta isn’t too hard — if you don’t think that you left some candles burning — the evening before. Yes, my own mind is mean to me. Of course, there were no candles burning. Still … I contemplated turning around around 50 times, but I kept my eyes on the road and miraculously arrived in Atlanta (without having burned down my house). I still had some time, so I explored the Ponce City Market in Atlanta. Great food, nice shops, and lots of spaces to spend some time writing (Did I mention cake?).

    Thursday evening, there was a writer’s happy hour at Bold Monk Brewery, where I met some fellow writers who would make up part of my cohort over the weekend. Wonderful people with great stories to tell.

    The conference was at the Westin Atlanta Airport. The next morning started with an editor Q&A and a book fair. I bought a journal from the wonderful Morgan (https://morganbstudio.com, check out her beautiful art) and Praesidium from McKinley Aspen (sounds exciting, can’t wait to read it).

    The afternoon brought the critic for my query letter. The editor and agent were assigned by chance, and I wasn’t sure if they were a good fit for YA fantasy. Therefore, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. What I didn’t expect was an intensive lecture about marketing and how I should prepare a marketing concept to present to any agent I query. I was rather baffled by that. At least I started this blog, maybe not enough. For the query letter they just said that there was too much plot in it.

    So, of course, I panicked. Luckily, there was the Friday night mixer to distract me. We played Author’s bingo as an icebreaker. And I won! A Starbucks card! I seriously never win. My daughter wins, my mother wins. Me? I never win … But I always take free coffee.

    The next morning, after the agent Q&A (if anyone wants to know, horror is the next big thing. Extra points for cozy horror. I had to look that up. I never knew it was a thing) the panic returned.

    I spent the next hours trying to make my query letter less plot, more … Character? Humor? maybe I should add my marketing concept? If I had one …

    The clock ticked. My two pitching slots loomed.

    Chaos on the paper and in my head.

    Then I had it … or at least something. 20 Minutes left. Went in search for the printer. Printer didn’t work. Argh!!!

    Ok, plan b … original query letter. Can’t be helped. I’m doomed.

    The worst part is sitting in front of the room waiting the 5 Minutes the editor reads your query. I swear it is actually hours. Maybe worth a cozy horror?

    And then I got in. The editor, Foyinsi Adegbonmire, was still reading and then writing on my paper. I’m sure it is well-meaning advice on how not to be a total disaster.

    She looked up, smiling. I grinned back. And she said, ” OK, I want you to send me the manuscript to this email.” I’m sure I left my mouth hanging open. Somehow, I managed a quite normal conversation (I think … I hope). And then it was over. And someone actually thought there is a place for funny escapism in YA fantasy.

    Another query meeting was not as positive. What I learned: You need to find the right one for your work. That might happen at once, or it might take time, but that person is somewhere out there. So, I will send my manuscript. Foyinsi might like it … or not. If not, I’m sure the right person is still out there. So, don’t give up when you haven’t found them yet.

    The day even got better when I won the best pitch award by Foyinsi with the words: I was hooked at the title – ‘How Not to Be a Demon (Cat Edition).

    I celebrated with TV and snacks in bed. Actually I was exhausted.

    Sunday started with a yummy breakfast at the Daily Cafe and a stroll through the Inman Park neighborhood. Some houses there seemed to come directly out of a fairy tale book. Maybe I should set my next book there? (Add some demons, of course).

    But as I learned, cozy horror is the thing. I might even have an idea for that. Stay tuned!!!

  • So I started a website

    Congratulations to myself … or what have I gotten myself into? The last website I made was a long … long … long time ago. No, of course I’m not that old. Ok, old enough so I remember the (good?) old times. When computers were big, clumpy, box-shaped things that didn’t fit with any kind of interior design and were cool only for a certain kind of … let’s say humans. To access the internet, you would have to have a modem, which made uninspired electrical music for an eternity. There were no AI designs for websites. You had to code them, which didn’t always result in the content you had pictured in your head. A bit like telling AI to generate a picture of, let’s say, a demon from hell who escapes to earth disguised as a cat (if you want to see a result (one of many, some very creepy), head to my writing page).

    My first (and until now last) attempt to build a homepage featured a lot of Calvin and Hobbes. I still love them. Who doesn’t want to have a best friend who is a tiger? Maybe there will be some more Calvin and Hobbes here in the future. You never know …

    So … what is this about, you might ask? Mostly, I want to say ‘Hello, nice to meet you!’ I’m waving and smiling right now, you can imagine that (The AI for it was too creepy and will live in my virtual basement).

    I would also like to introduce you to some of my characters, whom I’m really fond of. If you haven’t known before, I kind of have a thing for ‘demons’. Of course, only the nice ones. The nicer ones … Ok, the naughty ones maybe, too. I might introduce you to some.

    Also, I love to travel, so I will take you to some of my favourite spots around the world … (hint: it’s all about (not, not demons for a change) … food!!!).