Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi, I’m Sophia! I’m an author from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’m a desert dweller, and my home state was a big inspiration for the setting in my novel. I’ve been writing nonstop since I was a little thing, and I never plan on stopping. I also work as a retail sales associate and substitute teacher. I’m looking to teach English at the secondary level soon. My debut novel, “Graves for Drifters and Thieves,” was released in fall 2020. When I’m not writing, you can find me knitting, trying new recipes, reading, or watching campy old Western movies.

Why Do you write?

I write because I love words. I often find myself lost in daydreams, and I’ve had a hankering to put those worlds into words for as long as I can remember. I want to immortalize them. And I hope others can find some comfort in my creations. 

What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?

I write fantasy. It’s been my favorite genre for as long as I can remember because of the escapism and the feeling of immensity that comes with fictional worlds. “Graves for Drifters and Thieves” is a fantasy-Western novel. I thought that a setting based on the vast American old West and the wilderness was perfect for a fantasy novel. 

Tell us about your book.

“Graves for Drifters and Thieves” takes place in a fantasy world inspired by the old American West. It’s full of cowboys and outlaws, but it’s also got plenty of magic, ghosts, and monsters, and things are acknowledged as real by the folks who live there. My main character is a bounty hunter searching for her missing father, who joins up with a gang so she can betray them and claim their bounty later. But there’s much more to them than meets the eye, and she catches herself falling for their leader. They’re forced to work together when the gang’s boss turns on them, and there are plenty of magical misadventures along the way. 

How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

It depends on the week, but as a rough guide, I try to dedicate at least thirty minutes a day to my writing when I come home from my day jobs. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but I’ve noticed that as long as I stay disciplined and get that thirty minutes done, I often find the motivation to continue writing after that. 

How long on average does it take you to write your books?

From conception to completion, “Graves” took about three years. I think the sequel will take a little less time, but I’m hoping that I can make writing a full-time gig eventually so I can crank my works out faster! 

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

Definitely hiring a professional editor to work on “Graves” with me. His name is Josiah Davis, and he’s absolutely fantastic. I would recommend him to any indie author searching for an editor. 

What is the most challenging part of being an author?

The most challenging part of the gig is feeling comfortable in your own skin and handling self-doubt. There’s so much to fight off for anyone in a creative field… negative criticism, imposter syndrome, and learning to juggle the emotions that come with those things is really tough. Something that has helped me is to get lost in my stories. I try to absorb them and experience them the same way I indulge in a book by one of my favorite authors. Every excellent book I’ve ever read has plenty of one-star reviews. Every author I’ve ever loved has undoubtedly dealt with negativity before. I find a lot of comfort in knowing that they wrote because they loved it despite all that. I chose it every day. 

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Love your work! When you want to give up, chuck it all in the digital trash bin… remember that you started the story because you loved the idea. Others will love it, too. 

What is your favorite book?

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien, closely followed by Madeline Miller’s “Circe.” 

Follow Sophia:

https://linktr.ee/authorsophiaminetos