Picture of Sarahjane Assman with her author's pass for Belfast Books and Ballgowns. Submitted Photo.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Recently returned from Ireland to take part in the Belfast Books and Ballgowns event, author Sarahjane Assman will always consider Medicine Hat her hometown.
While she currently lives in a small community near Drumheller, Assman spent much of her life here and considers it her hometown. She said that regardless of where she goes, she is proud to consider it home and to represent the city in her travels.
Under the pen name S.J. Magnolia, Assman self-published her first book, The Fall of Baba Yaga, in 2023. She said that her decision to write was partially inspired by receiving a diagnosis for Lupus and inflammatory arthritis.
“I had been really sick for a few years, just constantly in and out of the hospital,” said Assman. “I hadn’t really gotten any answers, until I believe April of 2020, when I was diagnosed with lupus and inflammatory arthritis right before we all got locked down. So I was essentially told, ‘your whole life’s about to change. Here’s a medication that we’re gonna start you on, and we’re going into lockdown. Good luck.'”
Faced with her own health struggles and a newfound sense of urgency, Assman decided to push herself to complete as many life goals as possible. She explained that while she used to be the person in her family who did all of the planning, being so limited by her own health ended up being the push she needed to pursue some of her goals.
“I asked myself, why did I wait so long? I wanted to write a book, so I did. I wanted to learn how to hike, so I did,” said Assman. “My amazing tattoo artist took all the things that I have checked off my bucket list since being diagnosed and turned the photos into tattoos.”
Now with what she calls her “walking memory board” along her arm and starting on one leg, Assman decided to self-publish her first novel, which was one of the most nerve wracking, but also one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. It is now available in several stores in Calgary and she is hard at work on the second one.
She intends to continue writing stories until she gets tired of doing so, or when she is no longer able to.
“When it came to becoming an author, I learned very quickly that marketing was the hardest part,” said Assman. “I had to become comfortable with talking about myself and my work, and in making videos like TikToks and Reels. Writing the book itself was probably the easiest part.”
Since publishing, Assman has been able to do various book signings, including travelling all the way to Belfast, Ireland for Belfast Books and Ballgowns, a convention, book signing and fantasy ball event. When she found out her application had been accepted to attend, she had earnestly thought they reached the wrong person.
“When they assured me they really meant to include me, I squealed so loudly that I think everyone heard me. Then when I called my best friend to tell her, I think I had to hold the phone a foot from my face, she was so excited,” said Assman. While there, she was able to connect with one of her favorite fantasy authors, as well as receive advice from author Penelope Douglas, a memory Assman says she will cherish forever.
Assman encourages anyone who is thinking of writing their own book to start writing, refrain from self-editing until the first draft is finished, and fully embrace that perfection is the enemy of completion.
“Don’t be afraid to shop around for an editor you really gel with, either,” said Assman. “You don’t have to pick the first one you find, and you don’t have to take all of the changes they suggest, either. Try to make some author friends, but don’t compare their work to yours. Everyone has their own stories and their own voice, and that’s really a good thing.”
