Bonus Episode with Sarah R. New

Hey friends! Welcome to another Indie Author Spotlight Bonus Episode! Hopefully you read the feature interview I did with author Sarah over on The Writer's Workout website, where I'm a volunteer. If not, you should absolutely make sure you do that. She has some great tips and advice, plus it's fun to learn about new people!

What does your writing ritual look like? 

I don’t really have a writing ritual: I usually just open the notebook or document and word vomit onto the page. I need to have some kind of stimulus going on though: either music, a podcast or trashy reality tv. 

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received as an Indie Author? 

I think it might be that you have to work to what’s trendy at the time or you won’t find an audience. I don’t believe that at all, I think you should write what comes to you. Yes, work to tropes and trends if you want, but all the best books I’ve read have been a passion project, and you can really tell when people have loved writing the book.

What’s your go to book, movie or musical artist when you need some inspiration (or just a break from the keyboard)? Why? 

I find lots of inspiration in media (Amissis Liberis is inspired by Edgar Allen Poe and the Fall of the House of Usher, for example), but I keep being drawn back to Noah Kahan, and specifically his Live From Fenway Park live album. There is something about the way he emotes and the language he uses in his songs that really speaks to me.

Unsplash Maria Bitencourt

If you could snap your fingers and be “known” for one piece of your writing, what would it be? Is it something already published? Or is it something in your heart you’ve not yet written? 

I wrote a speculative romantic piece for an anthology that ultimately ended up being cancelled, and my piece ended up orphaned. It’s my favourite thing I’ve ever written, and I unfortunately haven’t found another home for it yet, but I’m considering releasing it next year.

Any other tidbits you wanna share? 

I really wish that I had started pursuing publication when I was younger, but anxiety held me back. I really hope people aren’t like me, break through their anxieties and have fun doing this.

Do you have a newsletter you want people to sign-up for? Link it here: 

I occasionally send out emails from my writer’s website: https://sarahrnew.wordpress.com/