Meet Sabrina Wagner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Wagner.  

Hi Sabrina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been in love with love my entire life. My fondness for romance novels began with the Sweet Valley High books, which led to devouring other romances at a rapid pace and getting lost in stories. Even though I loved reading and writing, it was instilled in me at an early age to get a “practical” job where I could support myself and be independent. I followed in my parent’s footsteps and became an elementary education teacher. 

After both my parents passed away, my sister and I became extremely close, as we only had each other left. Then, she was diagnosed with cancer. When I came home from holding her hand through her first chemo treatment, I thought to myself, “Life is too short to not do what you love.” 

That night, I started writing my first novel, as I’d never lost my passion for great stories, especially those with second chances, crazy twists of fate, and happily ever afters. I didn’t tell anyone, not even my husband. I just wrote. And wrote. And wrote. One book quickly turned into a trilogy. Although I was still teaching, my new hobby turned into an obsession. When I couldn’t keep it a secret any longer, I took the leap and indie published my first novels. 

After almost four years of cancer, my sister lost her battle with the disease. Then COVID hit, and the world turned upside down. Teaching was an online affair and difficult at best. My life was in disarray, along with everyone else’s. 

That summer, as I prepared to return to the classroom for in-person instruction, I did a lot of soul-searching. Although I did enjoy teaching, I had lost my love for it. The creativity was gone, and the job wasn’t what it used to be. Again, I asked myself, “What am I doing with my life?” 

Our daughter had just graduated college, and I had enough years invested in teaching to retire. My husband encouraged me to change directions if that would make me happy. So, I left the classroom behind, becoming the first in my family to retire, and began turning what I loved into a new career. I started writing full-time, taking classes, and learning the business of writing. 

Now, for the first time in my life, I’m doing something that’s just for me. It allows me to focus on the things I find most important: my family, my physical and mental health, and the art of crafting stories. 

I spend my time creating steamy stories about stubborn men and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees. My first books were the Hearts Trilogy and the Wild Hearts Trilogy. These coming-of-age trilogies are told on the same timeline and follow four best friends as they navigate first love, betrayal, regret, and coming out on the other side of heartbreak. My series, The Forever Inked Novels (The Tattooed Duet and three standalones), is centered around a tattoo parlor and each story follows a different tattoo artist in their pursuit of love. All these books have interconnected characters and are set in Michigan. If you live in the Metro Detroit area, you’ll recognize many of the places mentioned. 

In November 2022, I released “What Happens In Vegas,” which is a part of the multi-author series Hot Vegas Nights. I’m currently writing a spin-off, “Billionaire Bachelor In Vegas,” and am creating a new Vegas Love series. It will be my thirteenth novel, something I wouldn’t have thought possible when I started this journey. All of my books are available on Amazon. 

To promote my writing, I’ve done book signings at the West Michigan Women’s Expo (Grand Rapids), Sterlingfest (Sterling Heights), Dreaming Dirty in Michigan (Ann Arbor), and have several more scheduled for the upcoming year. I’ve also begun creating a merchandise line and hope to open an e-commerce store in the near future. 

My beliefs are simple: true friends should be treasured, a woman’s strength is forged by the fire of affliction, and everyone deserves a happy ending. I’m a hopeless romantic and know all too well that life is full of twists and turns, but the bumpy road is what leads to our true destination. It’s rare to find me without a book in my hand or a story spinning through my head. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth. When I started this journey, I admittedly had no idea what I was doing. Writing is so much more than putting words on paper. When the story is finished, it’s really just the beginning. The story has to be edited and formatted. There’s a blurb to be written, and you need to decide how you’re going to package your book with a great cover that will attract attention. Finally, you have to market your novel and get people to read it. 

Needless to say, I didn’t know how to do any of those things. I wasn’t tech-savvy and had no idea how to format a book or publish it. I didn’t have any social media accounts to promote myself or any type of following. Although I’d been a reader my whole life, I wasn’t familiar with Goodreads, BookBub, or other book platforms. And I certainly didn’t know how to make a book cover or create promotional material. 

I attended writing conferences, watched YouTube videos, researched online resources, read professional trade books, and joined a local writing group to educate myself. One by one, I began learning the steps it took to publish and promote my books. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way, but each one has been an opportunity to gain experience and grow. 

One of my first challenges was cover design. I was fortunate enough to have a graphic designer amongst my friends, but she had never designed a book cover before. It was a learning experience for both of us. In the beginning, I would use a cut-and-paste design, which was literally pictures glued together, to communicate my vision. It didn’t always work out so great. Because I was stubborn in what I wanted and didn’t understand the market, the original covers for “Tattooed Hearts” and “Tattooed Souls” didn’t sell well. You have less than five seconds to capture a reader’s attention, and those covers fell short. Sometimes we’re our own worst enemies, and we need to learn how to get out of our own way. There is a delicate balance between keeping true to yourself and keeping in line with the market. My ultimate goal is to sell my books and to do that I have to give readers what they want. We’ve recently given a facelift to all my book covers, and I am super happy with the changes we’ve made. 

Another challenge has been marketing. Romance readers have thousands of choices, and standing out from the crowd is hard. Contrary to what some people think, publishing your book doesn’t mean anyone will actually buy it. I’ve steadily built a following on social media, created a monthly newsletter, participated in online events with other authors, and done in-person book signings, but the struggle is still very real. 

Being an author is pretty solitary career, and that comes with its own set of implications. The majority of the responsibilities fall on me, but that doesn’t mean I do it alone. Although I’m the writer, formatter, publisher, marketer, advertiser, content creator, and accountant, I’ve built a team of people who help me put out the best books I can. 

Most importantly is my husband. He’s extremely supportive and by far my biggest cheerleader, without him I’d still be teaching in the classroom. He’s my tech support and the shoulder I lean on when I get discouraged. He’s also the guy who helps me lug all my stuff to and from signings and even wears one of my branded shirts and smiles while doing it. 

In addition, I have several amazing women who are integral to my process. My beta readers read my manuscripts and let me know when a story has gone off course or needs sprucing up, giving me genuine and honest feedback. My graphic designer is not only a great friend but also a talented artist who brings my visions to life. My proofreader is exceptionally skilled and finds every little spelling, grammar, and punctuation error to put the polish on my final product. Lastly, I’ve assembled an ARC/Street team of readers who get the books in advance, helping spread the word and increasing visibility for upcoming releases by posting on social media, blogs, and review sites. 

All of these wonderful people have had a hand in my success and are essential pieces of the puzzle. Without them, my job would be so much harder. I still have a lot to learn, but I’ve come a long way. The romance book industry continues to evolve, and to be successful, I’ll need to stay current with those changes. I’m always looking for ways to grow and develop as an author. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I write sweet, sassy, sexy romances about alpha men and the strong women who challenge them. My stories are not all hearts and flowers; there’s some grit underneath. The men are stubborn, and the women are feisty. The women are not looking for a man to save them; they’re perfectly capable of saving themselves. My favorite men to write are those who are willing to change their ways for her and only her. I pride myself in giving readers an escape from reality with well-rounded characters, a twisting plot, and enough heat to melt your kindle. 

My books are for adult readers who enjoy a little steam with their romance. I don’t hold anything back on the page. The bedroom doors are wide open, and you’re getting a front-row seat. 

But beyond the steam is the story, which is undeniably the most important part. Before I sit down to write, I decide what kind of story it’s going to be—a second chance romance, an enemies to lovers, an opposites attract, or any one of a dozen other familiar tropes. Then, I think of ways to completely destroy my characters before putting them back together and having them come out stronger on the other side, where they open their hearts and choose love over fear. 

I’m not a plotter. I don’t have elaborate outlines written beforehand. I create the characters, and I let them tell their own story. I usually know where the story will begin and how it will end, but the middle is a mystery. Sometimes the characters take me in a direction I could have never foreseen. 

When I write, I dig deep into the lives of the hero and heroine to discover their vulnerabilities and challenges. The characters have secrets, dark pasts, and insecurities that shape who they are and how they approach relationships. My goal, as an author, is to take the reader on an emotional journey of flawed people who resist love and encounter several complications to a happily ever after where love conquers all. 

I’m proud of having the courage to put my stories out into the world for readers to enjoy. It’s a bit like baring your soul. Knowing people have tens of thousands of books to choose from and that they chose mine is an honor. 

How do you define success?
To me, success is doing what you love, climbing over obstacles one hurdle at a time, and celebrating the small accomplishments. My career as an author has been like a ladder, with each rung representing a new objective. I still have a long way to go up that ladder, and it just seems to be getting taller with each new goal I add. 

It’s so easy to compare yourself to others and think you should be doing more. Everyone’s path to success looks different, and comparing ourselves to others might be good for motivation, but it’s really awful for self-esteem. It’s important to recognize what you have achieved instead of focusing on the things you haven’t. There will always be one more mountain to climb or another river to cross. Each accomplishment, no matter how big or small, is a step in the right direction and a reason to celebrate. Only you can determine what your path looks like. 

One day I would love to write a best-selling novel that is turned into a movie, but until then, I will take my wins where I can get them. Every manuscript I complete is its own reward. I love sending books into the world, reading reviews, and knowing people are enjoying my work. Meeting readers at book signings is a great incentive to keep writing. One of the things about being an author that I’ve enjoyed the most is connecting with other authors, both in person and online. It’s a great community, and they are super supportive. I’m proud to be a part of it. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sabrinawagnerauthor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabrinawagnerauthor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabrinawagnerauthor
• Other: https://linktr.ee/sabrinawagnerauthor

Image Credits
JillZee Design
Pixabay