269: Olivia Sparrow- Author of Secrets of the Sassafras

My guest this week is Olivia Sparrow (Secret of the Sassafras, indie published, October 2023). Olivia's someone who dived into the writing world with the attitude of "I'll figure it out" and has done just that, including initially penning a 175,000 word debut (a Beta Reader taught her about word count), turning to Google and the library for Query Tracker and agent contacts, using Fiverr and Reedsy to find book cover designers and editors, and teaching herself Vellum software to format her book. If you've ever wondered about TikTok and its BookTok and BookMail communities, Olivia's got some advice. Come for the magical description of the moment that set her on the writing path, stay for her upbeat attitude about how to find and nurture readers.   Award-winning author Olivia Sparrow grew up in a small Indiana town, where her passion for reading first sparked her love for storytelling. After relocating to New York City, she encountered both the challenges and triumphs of city life that ultimately inspired her debut novel, Secret of the Sassafras—a heartfelt tribute to courageous women and the city that helped her discover her own resilience. A seasoned portrait photographer with over fifteen years of experience, Olivia's transition from capturing images behind the lens to weaving stories on the page marks a bold new chapter in her creative journey. Her writing uncovers long-buried secrets and exposes the deeper truths often hidden behind outwardly flawless, yet deceptive, facades. When she's not crafting stories, Olivia, a self-proclaimed California enthusiast, can be found hiking the national parks or wandering the rugged beauty of Big Sur with her family and their dog, Zuzu. To learn more about Olivia, click here.