- What is your “day” job if you are not a full-time author?
When I’m not writing, I work at my local library. I grew up in libraries, and librarians are the ones who helped me find my passion for books and reading, so I absolutely love working in a library.
- If you wrote a book about your life what would the title be?
Not From This Time
- What is the hardest thing about being an author?
The hardest thing about being an author is managing and juggling all the other hats you need to wear. I wish I could just lock myself away and write every day, but some days that’s impossible to do. There are emails to answer and marketing to do, and that’s not to say I don’t like doing these things, but it’s definitely hard managing your time and sticking to a schedule that includes activities other than writing.
- What is the best thing about being an author?
Creating stories is by far the best thing about being an author. Letting my imagination run wild, building characters and worlds, and weaving together stories is such a thrilling feeling, and the fact I am able to transform those ideas into words for others to read and share in is something I could never live without.
- Have you ever been starstruck by meeting one of your favorite authors? If so who was it?
I always get nervous meeting other authors, but I was genuinely star struck by Victoria Schwab, Victoria Aveyard, and Leigh Bardugo.
- What book changed your life?
This is definitely a hard question to answer because there are a few books I can think of, but one book that changed my life was Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz. I will never forget how much this book contributed to my love for reading since I distinctly remember the day in sixth grade when I was reading this book and my teacher told us it was time for recess but I didn’t want to go outside because I wanted to keep reading instead. As a kid who struggled to read, I had never felt this way before about a book, so it was such a thrilling feeling.
- What were some of your favorite books growing up?
Some of my favorite books growing up were A to Z Mysteries, The Frog Princess, and The Alex Rider series.
- What books are currently in your to be read pile?
Six of Crows, Cruel Prince, City of Brass, Nevernight, Children of Blood and Bone, and all the Cassandra Clare books. I am so behind, but I’m doing everything I can to catch up.
- Which do you prefer ebooks, print, or audiobooks?
Print books. I’ve tried ebooks and audio books, but it’s hard for me to focus and get immersed in the story. I don’t know why. I think having a physical book in my hands grounds my mind in the actual act of reading unlike an ebook or audiobook.
- If you could live inside the world of a book or series which world would it be and why?
I would want to live in a Jane Austen novel. Take me to Pemberley, give me a Regency gown, and let’s take a stroll across the countryside. I love Jane Austen novels and movies so much because they put me in such a happy place with all the clothes and manners and balls and dancing. It’s just a pure fantasy for me, so I guess that’s why I would want to step in to one of these books.
The Genesis of Seven
The Empyrean Trilogy
Book One
Sara M Schaller
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Designs by Seraphim
Date of Publication: July 7, 2020
ISBN: 9781732516205
ISBN: 9781732516212
ISBN: 9781732516229 - ebook
Number of pages: 368
Word Count: 86,902
Cover Artist: Sara M Schaller
Tagline: In the beginning he was one of us.
Book Description:
Eighteen-year-old Jordan Conway has always wanted to help people, but helping seven archangels to achieve their divine duty was never quite what he had in mind…
When Jordan is entrusted by the head nun of his orphanage to deliver a mysterious backpack to a New York City address, he comes unexpectedly face-to-face with Archangel Gabriel. Their acquaintance fast uncovers a labyrinth of secrets that connect Jordan’s once-normal life to an ancient heavenly prophecy. Now, he must help Gabriel to reunite the archangels before evil forces grow too strong.
Soon, Jordan and Gabriel find themselves on a divine quest across the globe, while deep in the pits of Hell, Satan plots his return to earth. To gain control, however, Satan needs the powerful prophetic objects locked safe inside Jordan’s backpack—and the devil will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
With that notion threatening his only family and the safety of his newfound friends, Jordan must do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves and help the archangels succeed. If that means sacrificing all he thought he knew to go to war with the devil himself? Bring it on.
Excerpt:
“Run!” Sister
Helen shouted.
Somehow, my body
obliged. My legs carried me down the alleyway, past dumpsters and trashcans. At
the street, I stopped briefly to figure out where to go next. I glanced at the
paper and realized I had a bit of distance to cover. The address was near
Central Park, but the orphanage was in the opposite direction. In fact, the
orphanage wasn’t even in Manhattan. There wasn’t time to figure out a route
though. At the sound of running footsteps, I looked over my shoulder and saw
two men dressed in black fast approaching.
Without a second
thought, I broke into a sprint and headed right.
I’d never been
chased in my life and soon realized I was the worst person for it. I kept
running straight for blocks. Not once did I try to evade my chasers. I was
merely in flight mode, running forward without a thought of where I had to go.
The backpack hit my shoulders every time I moved my legs, creating a rhythm my
heartbeat began to mimic. I was scared senseless, had no idea what to do, and
was weighed down by the duffel bag, which gave me a weird, galloping stride.
As I raced on,
some unknown part of my brain took over and told my legs to veer left into an
alleyway. My chasers passed by, unsuspecting, though they soon backtracked and
followed. At that point, my run became a series of quick turns and dashes
through side streets and alleys in an attempt to evade them.
Breathing hard,
heaving the cursed bag, and almost tripping over my own feet, I came to a
standstill in front of a chain-link fence. Did this seriously have to turn into
some iconic movie chase? I groaned as I sized up my new enemy, wondering why I
never took gym class seriously. Surely, completing the rope climb—something I’d
never successfully achieved—would come in handy right about now.
At the last
second I decided to backtrack, but the two chasers blocked my path. One was a
big, burly man, and the other was the second guy from the subway, who was much
taller and leaner than his accomplice.
Frustrated, I
ran up to the fence and swung my duffel bag through the air. It landed
surprisingly safe on the other side of the chain-link barrier. Without a
moment’s hesitation, I ran and jumped at the tall gate, latching onto it with
my hands. Flashbacks of the rope climb came to mind, and I knew this wasn’t
going to be easy. In a struggle, I scrambled up as my chasers approached.
By some miracle,
I made it to the top, and I was preparing to swing my leg over and ring that
fictitious bell when a hand gripped my ankle. When I looked down, a menacing
skull tattoo met my gaze.
About the Author:
Sara M Schaller is a paralibrarian, publishing professional, and young adult author. She lives in Colorado with her mom, dad, brother, and four furry canine siblings. Sara loves the world of pop culture and the performing arts, so when she is not reading or writing, she is either watching movies and shows, attending conventions, or going out to see live performances. She likes to write stories for all ages in the fantasy genre, and her writing usually contains elements of speculative fiction and features a large cast of characters. Sara has a Bachelor’s degree in English, Art History, and Religious Studies from the University of Denver, and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Pace University. For five years, Sara worked as a graphic designer, and her creativity in design carries over into other areas of her life like writing. You can visit her online at www.saramschaller.com.
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