In Search of the Write Space: Sarah J. Maas
Sep 19, 2012 
Sarah J. Maas was born and raised in New York City, but after graduating from Hamilton College in 2008, she moved to Southern California. She’s always been just a *tad* obsessed with fairy-tales and folklore, though she’d MUCH rather be the one slaying the dragon (instead of the damsel in distress). When she was sixteen, she discovered FictionPress.com, and shared a (very rough) draft of Throne of Glass, a YA epic fantasy retelling of Cinderella. For the six years Throne of Glass was on FictionPress (at the time called Queen of Glass), it developed a massive fanbase–which later gave her the confidence to attempt getting it published.
Many rewrites and revisions later, Throne of Glass is less a Cinderella retelling and more of an original epic fantasy, and it was published by Bloomsbury Children’s in August 2012. Over the years, she’s written several other novels (most of them fairy-tale retellings), and when she’s not busy writing, she can be found geeking out over things like Han Solo, gaudy nail polish, and ballet.
A Note From Meg
Welcome to my brand new recurring feature, “In Search of the Write Space!” In this series authors will be sharing pictures of their work spaces, giving us all a little glimpse in to their creative lives. I’m excited to have Sarah J. Maas as my very first featured author! She’s a deeply awesome person with an equally awesome writing space. Without further ado, here’s Sarah to take you on your tour. (And don’t feed the puppy; she’ll never stop begging otherwise.)
The Tour
My desk!
Where the magic happens (Seriously. I have a crystal ball.). Uber-weird writing quirk: I keep a mirror behind my desk so I can act out the scenes in my book and study my gestures/expressions.
My Super-Unintellectual Writing Couch
When I get stuck on a particularly hard scene, this is the couch I turn to for some quality Brooding. If anything, though, it’s good for a mid-afternoon nap.
My Writing Companion
My dachshund/jack russel/black lab/eerily-bat-like mutt, Annie. She keeps me sane. Unless she’s trying to sit on my lap while I write, which makes me…not-so-sane.
My (tiny) reference section
In my office, there’s this hideously ugly bookcase built into the wall (left over from another era), which I won’t show (unless you want your eyes to bleed), BUT this is part of it…specifically, my little reference section. It’s got everything from books on Russian folklore to my leather-bound edition of LORD OF THE RINGS to my favorite childhood picture books.
My Nightstand
I keep a small library of books on my nightstand at all times–some of the books (like Nalini Singh’s GUILD HUNTER series) are there because I love them and I’m prone to rereading them at random times, others are books I’ve yet to read. I have two copies of THRONE OF GLASS there, too–one of them is the first copy I ever bought from a real bookstore; the laminated one is my author copy that I bring around to events to have everyone sign (think of it as the ultimate yearbook).
My Other Couch
This is my favorite reading spot in my house. We have a sunroom attached to our master bedroom, and I just looove curling up on the couch and getting lost in a book.
Throne of Glass
by Sarah Maas
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king’s council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead… quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
I’m giving away one hardcover copy of THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas! Entries are open to US residents only. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below, and be sure to check out the various ways you can earn extra entries!
UPDATE: I’ve decided to also throw in a THRONE OF GLASS bookplate that has been signed by the author! Whee!
“In Search of the Write Space” is an ongoing feature at meaganspooner.com that showcases authors through the spaces they carve out for creativity. You can find out more about the feature, and see a list of past guests, by clicking here.
If you or someone you represent would like to participate in “Write Space,” check out my policies and fill out the application form here!
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My favorite picture is of her desk. It looks like the perfect little writing spot! I love seeing where authors actually write the books I love. Great idea!
This is such an awesome idea. I love seeing authors’ creative spaces. Maybe because my own creative space is so important to me. 🙂 I love the pics and the notes. Love the mirror behind the desk and the writing couch. Heck, love it all! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this with us.
The mirror… is brilliant. Idk why I never thought of that because I’m constantly acting out facial expressions and stuff and describing them based on the feel of it. LEATHER BOUND LOTR – there are no words for how much I want, loll. I love the glass slipper and pumpkin carriage figurines. So pretty! Also, my nightstand is the same. STACKS of books, I tell you – so much that I can’t see my alarm clock, ooopsy. This is a great idea for a blog! Can’t wait for the next feature 😀
Love this space! And I love the image of her acting out facial expressions in the mirror. Too perfect!
I want Sarah’s desk! I love the color of it. This was so fun, I followed on pinterest. Can’t wait for more!!
YAY, this was so much fun! I absolutely love this idea, so I’m excited to see more posts like this one.
Sarah’s write space is lovely! I think her mirror is an interesting tool – something I wouldn’t have thought to use – but I can see now how valuable it must be. That is such a great idea.
I cannot wait to read this book. I’ll wait a little longer to see if my library will get it. If not I may have to break down and buy it for my Kindle.
And I love your write space! It’s much better than mine–which is just a lapdesk on the couch–but I hope mine looks something like that some day. 🙂
Wow, just wow, you have a beautiful sense of style, I absolutely love it! I wish I could style my place like that. Its so cute and comfy, truly perfect. If I had a room like that I’d prob never leave it!
Ha! I LOVE the idea of the “ultimate yearbook.” What a great keepsake!
I love your reference section, which is super similar to mine (Lord of the Rings and fairy tales) and your nightstand has my favourite series by Nalini Singh. I’m currently reading Jason’s story, ARCHANGEL’S STORM…which is amazing!
What a great idea!!! Looks a LOT cleaner than my desk 😛
I love the mirror idea! Might have to do that myself. I’m hoping to do acting alongside writing, so this will help with both.
Also noticed Sarah has two copies of Mockingjay. Was that intentional? 😛
I love the mirror behind her desk – what a great idea! I live in Canada so I can’t participate in the contest, but good luck to the others.
I liked the picture of the desk. I think it’s fun to see where writers write. You can tell a lot by a person’s desk.
This is such a brilliant idea for a blog!!!! Not to mention the mirror behind Sarah’s desk! Can this not be the greatest thing!
Your working area is so comfortable and neat. Mine’s a disaster. I can’t start working without arranging my stuff first so I won’t get distracted while I’m halfway to whatever I’m doing. I’d love to have a nightstand as well. The books I’m currently reading are on my bed. Heh. 😛
I love this feature! I Sarah’s writing nook is so peaceful. That ballerina figurine on the bookshelf is just darling. I am excited to see future writing spaces! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I’ve been wanting to read this one! *crossing my fingers and eyes and toes to I win*
it’s always fun to see where a writer works! Thanks for the fun giveaway!
I always like to see where the author’s magic happens. Love the nightstand… It looks so much like mine! I have some books that I just like to have near me at all times 🙂
Love this space! Thanks for hosting this cool new blog series, Megan!
what happened to the tour? I can’t see it
Should be fixed now. Cheers!