Sa'Rese burst onto the literary scene in 2009 with her debut novel Stripping Asjiah - a gripping, heart wrenching tale about two siblings who struggle to survive in the gritty streets of Cleveland after their mother is murdered; then they are displaced with a family they've never known.
Sa’Rese is a poet and spoken word artist. "I remember writing stories for my sixth grade class and I would always leave them hanging right at the good part so they would be anxious to hear more the next day. I always kept journals and I entered my first poetry contest at 14 which I ended up winning. I just always thought I had a way with words. I never considered it a ‘gift’until someone brought it to my attention.”Sa'Rese currently resides in Dublin Ohio where she is studying Fashion & Retail.
Her titles include:
Larceny
The Color of Money
Stripping Asjiah II: Blood Money
Stripping Asjiah
About “The Color of Money”
The moon dances over Lake Erie as soft waves change between hues of midnight blue and black. He tries to remember how many bodies he's disposed of but the toll is too high. Phenom, protégé and powerhouse were once words used to paint Jason Daniels as a star basketball player on the rise. But when his brother is sent away for a crime he didn’t commit Jason chooses to pick up a different rock and enter a deadly game laced with sex lies and murder. As the body count rises will Jason end up a pawn like his brother or will he decide to trust an unknown ally that could help him exact his revenge?
"The choices we make always have a direct or indirect effect on our lives and the lives of others. Choose wisely."
DP: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?
Sa’Rese: I've always been a reader so I guess the thought has always been there but in 2009 I just grew bored with the same old story lines and I figured if this is what's getting published, why can't I do it so I did.
DP: How did you decide on the idea for your first book?
Sa’Rese: Life experiences.
DP: How long did it take you to write your first book?
Sa’Rese: Three months.
DP: Did you self-publish or are you signed to a publishing company?
Sa’Rese: I'm signed to La femme fatale publishing.
DP: How did you decide on the cover for your most recent book?
Sa’Rese: I wanted something that embodied the story in a visual aspect and I think I achieved that.
DP: Tell us about your writing style. Do you write on a schedule?
Sa’Rese: Absolutely not. I don't like sitting still, so for the most part I write on random pieces of paper and most of my stories are stored in my head. I have to be in the mood to write and when I do sit still it just flows.
DP: What makes your writing unique?
Sa’Rese: I don't let myself be boxed into what's deemed "popular" in the industry nor do I allow myself to be grouped into a specific category. I also don't pay attention to what every other author is writing because I think when people do that they lose their voice.
DP: As a writer, what motivates you?
Sa’Rese: Being able to make my words come to life. I also am motivated by the thought that some hidden lesson within the pages I've written will ring true to someone who may have or is currently going through the same thing. I'm motivated by the thought that I may inspire someone to do something great.
DP: How do you balance your writing and various responsibilities that come along with being an independent author?
Sa’Rese: I don't think about it. I think you lose your creativity and your drive when you get washed down by responsibilities.
DP: When you’re not writing what are you doing?
Sa’Rese: Sleeping. I work late hours so I try to catch up on sleep as much as I can. I'm in school so I'm studying and when that isn't taking my time I try to devote my hours to friends and loved ones.
DP: What’s a typical day like for you?
Sa’Rese: Sleep, work, food. Lol. Pretty boring.
DP: Tell us about your last book signing.
Sa’Rese: I have yet to do a signing. I've become quite the myth since no one has seen me in person. I have a signing on February 1-3 in Maryland at The Literary Joint.
DP: Do you have contests or giveaways?
Sa’Rese: Not yet but I'm thinking of something soon.
DP: Many independent authors find it hard to get readers to buy their books. How did you handle the challenges that come along with being a first-time author in a competitive and ever-changing market?
Sa’Rese: I didn't acknowledge the "challenges." I've always felt if you have a good product it will speak for itself and it did. I believed in what I had wrote and it exceeded my expectations.
DP: What did you do on your 2nd book that you did not do in your first one?
Sa’Rese: I challenged myself. I'm my biggest critic and I knew I had to top what I had done with the first one and that was hard.
DP: If you could give one piece of advice to an up and coming author, what would it be?
Sa’Rese: Don't let anyone wash away who you are. Be you regardless of the current trend.
DP: Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
Sa’Rese: Amazon, kindle, nook and soon iBooks. Also at the La Femme website. Once I launch my own site they will be available on there as well. If readers want an autographed copy they can shoot me an email, a payment via PayPal and I'll personally send them a copy.
DP: Please list any literary awards, honors, and book club affiliations.
Sa’Rese: International Society of Poets.
Sa’Rese is a poet and spoken word artist. "I remember writing stories for my sixth grade class and I would always leave them hanging right at the good part so they would be anxious to hear more the next day. I always kept journals and I entered my first poetry contest at 14 which I ended up winning. I just always thought I had a way with words. I never considered it a ‘gift’until someone brought it to my attention.”Sa'Rese currently resides in Dublin Ohio where she is studying Fashion & Retail.
Her titles include:
Larceny
The Color of Money
Stripping Asjiah II: Blood Money
Stripping Asjiah
About “The Color of Money”
The moon dances over Lake Erie as soft waves change between hues of midnight blue and black. He tries to remember how many bodies he's disposed of but the toll is too high. Phenom, protégé and powerhouse were once words used to paint Jason Daniels as a star basketball player on the rise. But when his brother is sent away for a crime he didn’t commit Jason chooses to pick up a different rock and enter a deadly game laced with sex lies and murder. As the body count rises will Jason end up a pawn like his brother or will he decide to trust an unknown ally that could help him exact his revenge?
"The choices we make always have a direct or indirect effect on our lives and the lives of others. Choose wisely."
DP: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?
Sa’Rese: I've always been a reader so I guess the thought has always been there but in 2009 I just grew bored with the same old story lines and I figured if this is what's getting published, why can't I do it so I did.
DP: How did you decide on the idea for your first book?
Sa’Rese: Life experiences.
DP: How long did it take you to write your first book?
Sa’Rese: Three months.
DP: Did you self-publish or are you signed to a publishing company?
Sa’Rese: I'm signed to La femme fatale publishing.
DP: How did you decide on the cover for your most recent book?
Sa’Rese: I wanted something that embodied the story in a visual aspect and I think I achieved that.
DP: Tell us about your writing style. Do you write on a schedule?
Sa’Rese: Absolutely not. I don't like sitting still, so for the most part I write on random pieces of paper and most of my stories are stored in my head. I have to be in the mood to write and when I do sit still it just flows.
DP: What makes your writing unique?
Sa’Rese: I don't let myself be boxed into what's deemed "popular" in the industry nor do I allow myself to be grouped into a specific category. I also don't pay attention to what every other author is writing because I think when people do that they lose their voice.
DP: As a writer, what motivates you?
Sa’Rese: Being able to make my words come to life. I also am motivated by the thought that some hidden lesson within the pages I've written will ring true to someone who may have or is currently going through the same thing. I'm motivated by the thought that I may inspire someone to do something great.
DP: How do you balance your writing and various responsibilities that come along with being an independent author?
Sa’Rese: I don't think about it. I think you lose your creativity and your drive when you get washed down by responsibilities.
DP: When you’re not writing what are you doing?
Sa’Rese: Sleeping. I work late hours so I try to catch up on sleep as much as I can. I'm in school so I'm studying and when that isn't taking my time I try to devote my hours to friends and loved ones.
DP: What’s a typical day like for you?
Sa’Rese: Sleep, work, food. Lol. Pretty boring.
DP: Tell us about your last book signing.
Sa’Rese: I have yet to do a signing. I've become quite the myth since no one has seen me in person. I have a signing on February 1-3 in Maryland at The Literary Joint.
DP: Do you have contests or giveaways?
Sa’Rese: Not yet but I'm thinking of something soon.
DP: Many independent authors find it hard to get readers to buy their books. How did you handle the challenges that come along with being a first-time author in a competitive and ever-changing market?
Sa’Rese: I didn't acknowledge the "challenges." I've always felt if you have a good product it will speak for itself and it did. I believed in what I had wrote and it exceeded my expectations.
DP: What did you do on your 2nd book that you did not do in your first one?
Sa’Rese: I challenged myself. I'm my biggest critic and I knew I had to top what I had done with the first one and that was hard.
DP: If you could give one piece of advice to an up and coming author, what would it be?
Sa’Rese: Don't let anyone wash away who you are. Be you regardless of the current trend.
DP: Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
Sa’Rese: Amazon, kindle, nook and soon iBooks. Also at the La Femme website. Once I launch my own site they will be available on there as well. If readers want an autographed copy they can shoot me an email, a payment via PayPal and I'll personally send them a copy.
DP: Please list any literary awards, honors, and book club affiliations.
Sa’Rese: International Society of Poets.
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