Colleen’s Coffee Klatch: Welcome, Sarah Brentyn @SarahBrentyn

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

Hello everyone! Welcome to Colleen’s Coffee Klatch. Where I grew up, the Kaffeeklatsch was all the rage. Folks (mostly women) would get together, share a cup of coffee, and catch up on their lives. Thanks so much for stopping by to share a cup of coffee and a chat. Every month, I like to reconnect with my favorite authors to catch up and see what’s new in their writing world.

This week, I asked Sarah Brentyn to stop by to talk about her newest endeavor: a flash fiction anthology called, “The Shadows We Breathe.” This is an anthology of short fiction, featuring Volume One, and now, Volume Two. She has compiled and edited the books featuring the work of several authors.

Meet Sarah Brentyn:

Sarah Brentyn is an introvert who believes anything can be made better with soy sauce and wasabi. She loves words and has been writing stories since she was nine years old. She talks to trees and apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them. When she’s not writing, you can find her strolling through cemeteries or searching for fairies. She hopes to build a vacation home in Narnia someday. In the meantime, she lives with her family and a rainbow-colored, wooden cat who is secretly a Guardian.

Here you go, Sarah. I brought you a Grande.

Hi Colleen. Thanks. It’s great to share a cup of coffee with you!

I’m so glad you’re here. I know you’ve just published the second volume of your anthology, “The Shadows We Breathe.” I’ve read and reviewed the first volume. I enjoy short fiction as much as my syllabic poetry. Each story was an impactful read! Here’s my review.

Thanks. I’m so happy you enjoyed the book.

You know, Sarah… I love the book covers for this anthology. Tell us a bit about the artwork.

Line art may sound easy. May even look easy. Squiggle here, curve there, dot there. Done. And, perhaps, for some, that’s how it goes. What do I know? The extent of my artistic abilities is drawing a recognizable stick figure of a cat.

I know what you mean, Sarah. I’m not artistic in the least. Yet, you figured out how to make the covers work.

“I don’t know how art works.” This was my mantra while working with the artist for my flash fiction collections, and it remained that way through the process of working with that same patient, saint-like artist for “The Shadows We Breathe”series.

I had this gorgeous cover in mind—striking, minimalist, and bold. I told her what I was imagining. It went something like this: “I want a face.” Uh… Okay. (Elaboration was needed).

So, I proceeded to make things clear as mud for her.

In my head, it sounded perfectly simple and straight-forward. Out loud, it sounded more like, “A woman’s face. But, like, not all done up with makeup and stuff. Sort of abstract but not like Picasso but not realistic but not a cartoon but…” and so on until she just asked me to show her what I meant.

That went well.

Oh, no! I can only imagine, Sarah.

Moving on. She sketched something out in between bites of her lunch and sent it to me. It was way too, um, er, uh… Too much? Too…? “Too detailed?” she suggested. Yes. That.

She converted it to digital, and we proceeded to cut, remove, cut, remove, cut, remove until… Voilà! Line art.

It probably would have helped if I’d said, “I’d love a minimalistic line art drawing of half a woman’s face on a distressed background,” but alas, I did not.

But, somehow, we eventually got there, and it’s exactly how I imagined it. Striking. Minimalist. Bold. I was unsure how it would be received by readers because of its simplicity, but I loved it, so I went with it.

You might be surprised what the final image looked like in that very first sketch. In case you’re interested, here you go:

Thanks to the amazingly talented Loni Townsend.

Sarah, thanks so much for introducing us to “The Shadows We Breathe,” Volumes one and two.

It was a great pleasure. Thanks for including the links to the books and the authors. Thanks for the coffee, Colleen. ❤️ ☕️

Life promises joy and sorrow. Alongside the light, there will always be traces of darkness. It is the nature of being human. In this anthology of short fiction, we explore relationships—how they sculpt us, hurt us, help us, and reveal our deepest desires. Eight artists, whose words paint worlds, bring you stories of heartache, loss, hope, and forgiveness. They unveil the intimacy and complexity of relationships. Whether family, friend, or lover, connections to others can hold us up or break us down. Within these pages, beautiful words are spun into tales threaded with darkness. Discover the shadows we breathe.

Amazon.com

Volume One Contributors:

Contributors 💕

Georgia Bell is the author of Unbound, a young adult paranormal romance about love, fear, and immortality. She was raised on a steady diet of science fiction and fantasy and began writing the stories she wanted to read over a decade ago.

Author Page | Twitter

Maria Carvalho is a multi-genre writer whose short stories have appeared in a wide variety of magazines and anthologies, including Under the Full Moon’s Light and Cabinet of Curiosities (both by Owl Hollow Press).

Author Page | Twitter

Reena Dobson began pursuing her creative writing with a vengeance when she realised the world was never going to stop and give her time to write. She now writes at the edges, in sunshine and under cover of darkness.

Author Page | Twitter

Ali Isaac is a writer and blogger living in Co. Cavan, Ireland. In 2020, she was awarded a writing mentorship by Words Ireland and the Arts Council of Ireland, working under the guidance of author, Sara Baume. Her writing has been published in The Stinging Fly, Sonder, and Paper Lanterns.

Author Page | Twitter

D. Wallace Peach, best-selling fantasy author, started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked.

Author Page | Twitter

Allie Potts lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, two children, and spoiled dog. When not finding ways to squeeze in 72 hours into a 24-hour day, Allie consumes and creates science fiction, fantasy, post-apocalyptic quests, cozy mysteries, and contemporary fiction.

Author Page | Twitter

Mary Smith, author and poet, is based in Scotland. Her memoir Drunk Chickens and Burnt Macaroni: Real Stories of Afghan Women focusses on her work in Afghanistan, which also provides the setting for her novel No More Mulberries.

Author Page | Twitter

Available NOW in both eBook and Paperback

Life promises joy and sorrow. Alongside the light, there will always be traces of darkness. It is the nature of being human. In this anthology of short fiction, we explore health—how the state of our bodies and minds nurtures us, damages us, and forms our reality. Eight artists, whose words paint worlds bring you stories of pain, confusion, acceptance, and courage. They reveal the conflicting and contrasting nature of health. Whether mental or physical, our state of being can create chaos or bring us peace. Within these pages, beautiful words are spun into tales threaded with darkness. Discover the shadows we breathe.

Amazon.com

Volume Two Contributors:

Georgia Bell is the author of Unbound, a young adult paranormal romance about love, fear, and immortality. She was raised on a steady diet of science fiction and fantasy and began writing the stories she wanted to read over a decade ago.

Author Page | Twitter

Ruth Daly’s poetry, humour, fiction, non-fiction, and contemplative pieces have been published in magazines for children, young adults, and families. She has written 59 children’s books for educational publishers covering such varied topics as musical instruments, endangered animals, rocks and minerals, and explorers.

Blog | Twitter

Ali Isaac is a writer and blogger living in Co. Cavan, Ireland. In 2020, she was awarded a writing mentorship by Words Ireland, and the Arts Council of Ireland, working under the guidance of author, Sara Baume. Her writing has been published in The Stinging Fly, Sonder, and Paper Lanterns.

Author Page | Twitter

R.A. Kerr is a life-long classic film enthusiast and has been blogging about old movies for a decade. She is also a freelance writer and editor, and has facilitated creative writing workshops for kids.

Blog | Twitter

S. Mitchell-Jackson writes prose and poetry. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Queen’s Ferry Press Best Small Fictions award. She won the Channillo Short Story Prize in 2020. 

Author Page | Twitter

D. Wallace Peach, best-selling fantasy author, started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked.

Author Page | Twitter

Allie Potts lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, two children, and spoiled dog. When not finding ways to squeeze in 72 hours into a 24 day, Allie consumes and creates science fiction, fantasy, post-apocalyptic quests, cozy mysteries, and contemporary fiction.

Author Page | Twitter

Available NOW in both eBook and Paperback

Would you like to stop by for coffee and a chat? Email me at colleenchesebro333@gmail.com, and pitch me your chat idea by December 3, 2021. I only have one opening for December 2021 left. ❤️ ☕️

51 thoughts on “Colleen’s Coffee Klatch: Welcome, Sarah Brentyn @SarahBrentyn”

  1. Thanks so much for having me for coffee, Colleen! ☕💖

    Wow. What an awesome set-up you’ve got here. Thanks for the Grande, the chat, and all the work you’ve put into this. It’s wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re most welcome. I’ve been trying to think of a way to host an author once a month and I thought of you and I having coffee (or tea) together. Thank you. I look forward to reading the second volume of this anthology! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I loved having coffee with you. Tea would also be welcome. Herbal with some incense burning in the background. Some crystal points on the table. 💖💖💖 Thank you, again. This concept is lovely and the post is beautiful. I truly appreciate the time and effort it took to put this all together. Hugs!

        I really hope you enjoy the second volume (whenever you get to it). Love and light to you, my friend.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen is a great chat/coffee buddy. ☕💖

      Thanks, Liz. Haha! I assure you, it was much more enjoyable to write this up than it was to go through it (for the poor artist–she’s a saint). It’s hilarious now when I look back on it.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re welcome, Sarah. The process you describe for working with the designer is what I tend to think of as the J. Alfred Prufrock method: “That is not what I meant at all;
        That is not it, at all.”

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Sarah is brilliant! This entire series is a lovely contemplative read. I was drawn to covers and the colors immediately. I need to have you over for coffee, Liz! Email me. When we can talk about your new poetry book. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

  3. Wonderful to see Sarah and her authors presented here. These are popping up all over the internet with some popular comments. I lost track of Ali Isaac a couple of years ago, and it’s good to know she’s still around.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Yes, Ali is still around and still amazing. Her work in these anthologies is knock-you-off-your-feet, achingly gorgeous. So grateful to have her and the other amazingly talented authors included in these books. Thanks, Craig! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  4. I love your cover and have your book on my TBR list 🙂 I’m like you, my talent is limited to stick people when I try to draw. The progression of the drawing to line art made it so stunning. Glad your persisted until you got to the place you envisioned!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Aw, thank you, Denise! ☕💖 “Stunning” is good! 😉 Like I said, I wasn’t sure it would appeal to anyone but me. There are so many intricately beautiful covers out there and I was worried this one would be…plain/boring or, worse, look unprofessional or something. There was quite a process but I look at that sketch and am still amazed.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Wonderful interview, Colleen. I love Sarah’s work and these books are great. I enjoyed hearing about the development of the cover art for the anthologies.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Norah. These anthologies are great. I was comparing the flash fiction to syllabic poetry as each story makes you contemplate your own emotions. The cover plays into those emotions as well. Sarah’s brilliant vision has paid off. ❤️

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you so much, Norah! 💖 Hope you’re well. Colleen did a wonderful job on this post–I love it.

      I agree, Colleen, they really are similar. Carefully choosing each word and (hopefully) getting the reader to contemplate and feel. I love that you think the cover plays on emotions, too! It took a long, long time to get here and I hoped it would reflect the work inside. Thanks, lovely. ☕💖

      Liked by 2 people

  6. What a great conversation! I love learning more about Sarah and her work. Just the process of the covers is pure art! Thank you, Colleen, and congrats to Sarah!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks, Jan! Agreed…the process itself is art. It was a fascinating transformation to watch, especially with no artistic talent. 🙂 Colleen really got this Coffee Klatch together beautifully. ☕💖 (Crystal sisters, unite!)

      Liked by 2 people

  8. I will be buying these as I love the writing style of many of the authors listed and also Sarah’s herself. The drawing on the cover is amazing but the first rendition is so soulful. xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes! I thought the first drawing told the story, but the second drawing only hints at the stories within. These are excellent collections, Sis. You’ll love the depth of emotion in each story. ❤️

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks, Adele! 💖 If you do get the anthologies, I hope you enjoy them! (Great description. The initial sketch is soulful.)

      Colleen, I love the idea that the line art hints at the stories inside. That’s what it’s all about. Hinting. Pieces of a whole that the reader (or, viewer in this case) completes in his or her own mind. Thanks! ☕💖

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Aww, thanks, Sis. You know I love my witch Bitmoji-me. LOL! This is my new interview series for 2022. It should be fun to chill and talk about things that matter to us in our writing world. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks, Debby. My humor doesn’t always translate well. I appreciate those who, er, appreciate it. 😉 💖 (The witchy Colleen with the Grande latte is great.) 😂

      Colleen, it’s a fab idea and I’m looking forward to reading your chats in 2022. ☕💖

      Liked by 2 people

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