• Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Events
  • Editorial Services
  • Substack
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Substack
    • YouTube

Sara Ella

September 5, 2014

2014 Pre-Conference Mix and Mingle

love writing

As many if you know I’ll be attending the ACFW Writing Conference at the end of the month. It’s my first time! To get to know some of the other authors attending I’m participating in a Pre-Conference Mix and Mingle.

Want to participate? Here’s what to do:

– Copy/paste and fill out your own answers (you don’t have to answer all of them!) in a post on your own website and paste the URL to that post (not your home page) using the handy link-up tool on Laurie’s page. Just click on the blue button below that says “Add your link”.

– Make sure to link back to this post after you fill out your answers so any of your readers who are conference attendees can participate, too! The more, the merrier.

– Click through the links below to get to know other conference attendees before St. Louis!

Q&A

Name: Sara Ella

What you write/tagline/trademark: Young Adult (Romance/Fantasy) ~ Happily Ever After is Never Far Away

Place in the book world: Pre-published author seeking representation for my 100,000 word YA romantic fantasy “Blemished”.

On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: Hugs please!

The unique talking point that will get you going for hours: Books turned into movies. Hunger Games. Divergent. If I Stay. If you wanna get me talking, here’s where to start. Also, Starbucks works too. And Disney.

Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: My husband, 2 sweet girls and my French Press.

Conference goals we can pray for? Peace and confidence during pitches.

Anything we can celebrate with you? I’m a finalist in the YA category of the Genesis contest.

One or two ways we can help you build your platform? Yes! You can like my author page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter @SaraEllaWrites! Please also sign up for my monthly newsletter (form in the bottom right-hand corner of the home page). Oh, and I just started a channel on YouTube! I’d love for you to subscribe here!

A huge shout out and congrats to my fellow Genesis Finalist Laurie Tomlinson for starting this pre-conference mix and mingle! Check out her original post at www.laurietomlinson.com.

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

18 Comments

« Marissa Shrock | Featured YA Author
Endings | The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly »

Comments

  1. Christina Banks says

    September 5, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    Congratulations on being a finalist. This is my first ACFW conference as well.

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 5, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      Hi Christina! Thanks for saying hi! Yay! If you see me come give me a hug 🙂

      Reply
  2. Becky Wade says

    September 5, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    So nice to meet you via the mix&mingle! What fun you’ll have attending the conference for the first time. It’s so much fun!

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 5, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Hi Becky! Thanks! I am just thrilled you stopped by. I’m so excited about conference I have random dance parties in the kitchen because I’m just so pumped! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Cara Grandle says

    September 5, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    I’m always so impressed when someone finalizes in the contests. How cool.

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 5, 2014 at 11:52 pm

      Awww! Thanks Cara! I will admit it feels cool 🙂 I just really like the honest and constructive feedback. I need chisels. Contest judges are definitely that!

      Reply
  4. Connilyn Cossette says

    September 6, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Congratulations on the finals, exciting! You will have a fabulous time at ACFW I am sure! Hope to meet you!

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 6, 2014 at 5:02 pm

      Thanks, Connilyn! What a pretty name you have 🙂 Hope to meet you too! I’m a hugger so if you see me don’t be afraid to give me a squeeze.

      Reply
  5. Laurie Tomlinson says

    September 6, 2014 at 10:31 pm

    Yay! Thanks for playing along! You’ll love being a finalist. It’s so much fun 🙂

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 7, 2014 at 9:29 am

      Thanks for starting this AWESOME mix and mingle, Laurie! I’m excited about being a finalist. I am just SO excited about all of it 🙂

      Reply
  6. Erica Vetsch says

    September 8, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    So nice to meet you here, and congrats on your success in the First Impressions and Genesis contests! I hope you have a wonderful conference, and I hope we cross paths somewhere so I can say congrats in person! 🙂

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:49 am

      Thanks so much, Erica! I hope we cross paths too. Can’t wait!

      Reply
  7. Ashley Mays says

    September 12, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Hi Sara! Your tagline is FANTASTIC and perfect for the genre. Love it! 🙂 Hope to be able to meet you at ACFW this year!

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 12, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      Awww, thanks Ashley! I look forward to meeting you oh fabulous fellow Genesis finalist!

      Reply
  8. Brandy Heineman says

    September 12, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Hi Sara! I have If I Stay in my ridiculous TBR stack, but I didn’t know it was going to be a movie until I was standing in line with Hubby to see Guardians of the Galaxy. I watched the trailer, thinking about how awesome the story seemed, and then when the title flashed up, I felt like a dope because I’ve had this book sitting around for ages and haven’t read it yet. (Honestly, it’s been so long since I got it, I had forgotten what it was about!) Anyway, random silly story for ya… Congrats on finaling in the Genesis contest! Looking forward to meeting you!

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 12, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      ha ha! I love your story, Brandi! Thanks for sharing! Good book. Good movie, though if you get me talking about the differences between the two I will talk for hours. Thanks for stopping by and for the congrats! I look forward to meeting you as well!

      Reply
  9. Marisa says

    September 22, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Hey Sara! Congrats on finalizing in the Genesis contest! I am so proud of you! I’m keeping you in my prayers for your pitches. I’m staying a single room, so if you ever need a listening ear or quiet time, stop on by anytime for a chat and a hug. Can’t wait to meet you in a few weeks, fellow Disney girl! 🙂

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      September 23, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks, Marisa! I appreciate it and know I will need it. Are you going to the MBT pizza party Friday?

      Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Click to add to Goodreads!

Click to add to Goodreads!

Subscribe on YouTube!

Subscribe on YouTube!

Check out my Novel’s Pinterest Board & Follow Me!

Sara Ella
Follow Sara Ella's board Blemished on Pinterest.

1st Place ~ ACFW Genesis Contest 2014 ~ YA Category

1st Place ~ ACFW Genesis Contest 2014 ~ YA Category

1st Place in the Young Adult Category for 2013!

e1366654719

About Me

Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it's almost Christmas (even if it's only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away. Read More…

Subscribe to Ever After in Progress

Join my newsletter for updates, writing tips, and behind-the-scenes from my author life.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Latest on Instagram

🔥 Guess who’s headed back to Phoenix Fan Fusion in 🔥 Guess who’s headed back to Phoenix Fan Fusion in a few weeks?

That would be a very pregnant me, haha. I’m so excited to be invited back for this year’s event, taking place at the Phoenix Convention Center June 5-7, 2026.

👉 Please note: I will only be appearing Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6. Panel and signing schedules will be posted sometime this month. 

This will be your last chance to get a signed book from me in 2026. With baby coming at the end of June, I won’t be attending any more events until 2027.

Will I see you at Phoenix Fan Fusion? 

#enclavepublishing #phoenixfanfusion #cosplay #phoenixevents #phoenixbookevents
🌷If you’re wondering why I’ve been quiet this year 🌷If you’re wondering why I’ve been quiet this year, I promise I’ve had a good reason.

Last year I shared that I miscarried twins, and shortly afterward, my father-in-law passed away. The year before, my husband lost his job right after we moved into our dream home. With so much loss in such a short amount of time, we grew tired and wary. But through it all, God has remained good and faithful.

With spring in full bloom, I passed the 20-week mark of this unexpected miracle high-risk pregnancy. 🐣 And with every doctor appointment, a world of emotions arise. What if my baby’s heart stops beating? I waited to share the news publicly because I felt so uncertain. The truth is, only God knows how this pregnancy will end. We are praising Him for this little life, and trusting Him with all the unknowns.

It’s a season of new beginnings for our family. I certainly didn’t expect to be a new mama again at 41. My 40s are going to look different than I imagined, but God is sovereign. I know His plans and ways are far better than mine. 

My husband also didn’t expect to be starting a new career. After hitting many dead ends in his previous vocation, he’s starting from the bottom of his new profession and working his way up. I am so proud of how hard he works to provide for our family, and I am beyond grateful for the man I get to call mine. 💕

We are preparing to pack up and say goodbye to the dream home we built. 🏡 It’s a sad ending we didn’t anticipate, but we also know it’s not the end. God will use us wherever he puts us, whether that’s in our dream home or a little apartment. 

And with all this change, we have found ourselves in need. I’ve been reluctant to share more details regarding our personal story, but several dear friends encouraged me to open up, and they reminded me of the kind community I have surrounding me here.

If you’d like to read more about our story or feel led to contribute, we’ve set up a GoFundMe. You can find the link in my Stories and bio. Thank you to everyone who has prayed, supported, and encouraged us through each trial. No matter what happens, God is in the details of our story. Soli Deo Gloria. Psalm 115:1

https://gofund.me/8a9431331
💪 What motivates you to get moving? Little known 💪 What motivates you to get moving?

Little known fact about me: I do not enjoy exercising. Not for the sake of it anyway. But I do love going on walks. I love soaking up vitamin D and taking an hour for myself to catch up on voice memos from friends, listen to podcasts or audiobooks or Scripture, or even just turn on some tunes. 🎧

I’m not kidding when I say that my go-to soundtrack when I walk has been the music of Disneyland. There’s just something about it that makes me want to walk even in the record high heat we’ve had in March this year in AZ.  Maybe I’m tricking myself into thinking I’m rope dropping Space Mountain. Whatever works, right? 😂🎡

I’m going on 3 months of walking 2-3 miles a day, 5 days a week. There’s been a lot happening around here lately, and I do have more personal life updates to share. For now I wanted to share this because walking consistently has improved my mood and helped me keep up my strength and energy. Plus I can get a tan at the same time! (A farmer’s tan, at least. 🤦‍♀️)

I know I’ve been quiet on here this year. I promise I have a good excuse! If you haven’t read my spring newsletter on Substack yet, my biggest life update can be found there. If you’d rather wait for the announcement here, that works too. ❤️

More on that soon, I promise. Until then, go outside (or stay inside) and get moving today. A little Disney music goes a long way. 😘

#mickeyandminniesrunawayrailway #nothingcanstopusnow #unstoppable #walkingeveryday
🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS! I have a full lineup of b 🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

I have a full lineup of bookish events this spring! I’d love to see you at one or all of these:

@storyconusa | Salt Lake City, UT | February 27 & 28 | Workshops + Interrogate an Author + Book Signings

@tucsonfestivalofbooks | Saturday, March 14 | 10:00–1:00 | Indie Author Pavillion 

@pvpllibrary Book Fest | Saturday,
May 2 | Workshop + Panel + Book Signing

#saraella #saraellawrites #enclavepublishing #storycon #tucsonfestivalofbooks
🍪 Food is my love language. Whenever we go out of 🍪 Food is my love language.

Whenever we go out of town, I’m already looking at menus ahead of time, planning what yummy things I want to eat.

Themed food is my favorite. Call a honey latte a Pooh Bear Latte and I’m sold! Serve me a cup of the most delectable potato soup I’ve ever had and call it Samwise Soup? I’m there! 

If I’m going to Disneyland, I’m planning my day around which new cold brew I want to try and where I want to eat lunch. And if I’m going to a writing conference? You’d better bet I’m on the hunt for a Vanilla Coke and the best hotel cookies yet!

Yummy food just makes everything a little more magical. Can you relate? What’s your favorite food, drink, or dessert?

#favoritecharacter #favoritecharacters #funnyreels #onlyhereforthefood #bookcharacter
🥳 Happy Birthday, @nadinebrandes ! There aren’t m 🥳 Happy Birthday, @nadinebrandes !

There aren’t many people in this world who tackle hardship with joy the way you do. You are a true example of what it means to “count it all joy” amidst trials. Even on your toughest days, you find ways to bless others and see God’s sovereignty.

I don’t know what I did to deserve you as my best friend all these years. But I do know that God brought you into my life because He knew my life would be richer and fuller and just all around better with you in it. He knew I would need someone to walk alongside me in good times and bad. Someone to encourage me during discouraging years like this one has been.

I have been so blessed to see you so much in 2025. Although we are states apart, when we are together it feels like no time has passed at all.

Here’s to the woman who inspires me as an author, speaks truth into me as a wife and mom, and reminds me that God never leaves us and that His plan and timing are perfect. I love you, Bestie! Many happy returns for the rest of 2025 and the year to come! My life is better because I know you.

#nadinebrandes #saraella #bestfriends
You know I’m always behind on the trends, but I co You know I’m always behind on the trends, but I couldn’t resist doing this one for Disneyland. 

I’m definitely dreaming of a Disneyland Christmas this year. 🎄 If anyone knows of someone giving away free tickets for a family of 5, send them my way! 😂

Fun fact about this date: December 18, 1971 was the first ever Candlelight Processional held at Magic Kingdom. 🕯️

I’m dreaming of more Disney days in 2026. Christmas is my favorite season to visit the parks. They are just extra magical this time of year. ✨

Are you staying home or traveling for Christmas this year? 

#disneylandchristmas #dreamingofdisneyland #disneylandpark #disneylandcalifornia
🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader 🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader ! 🎉

🎄CHRISTMAS PAINTED EDGES GIVEAWAY! 

Did you see my unboxing reel for the painted edges of Glass Across the Sea? These editions are extremely limited as they are hand-painted by the very talented @hilltop_art . 🎨

For Christmas, I’m giving away one of these painted edges editions, plus a bookish Glass Across the Sea candle 🕯️ from @lamplighterliterary and mini cookie mix from @story.crumbs ! 🍪

Today is the LAST DAY to enter this giveaway. I’ll be putting all entries together tomorrow and sending them through a randomizer to pick a winner!

Entry rules and details are all in the caption of my unboxing reel. Enter there to win this dreamy Christmas gift! 🎁 

#paintededges #paintedbooks #handpainted #paintededgesbook #handpaintedbooks #christmasbookgiveaway #bookgiveaway #christmasgiveaway
🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader 🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader ! 🎉

🎨 Painted Edges Unboxing & GIVEAWAY 🎁

I’m so thrilled to finally be holding these beautiful painted edges for Glass Across the Sea in my hands. Bethany @hilltop_art made my vision for the most beautiful lighthouse come to life! And the details are even more stunning in person. From the lighthouse to the fireflies and cherry blossoms, I couldn’t be more in love!

I want to give one of these gorgeous limited editions away for Christmas, along with some other goodies! 🎄

🎁 One U.S. winner will receive:

📖 A hardcover of Glass Across the Sea with Painted Edges

🕯️A Prince Dante candle created by @lamplighterliterary 

🍪A mini Noelle cookie mix created by @story.crumbs 

✅ To Enter the giveaway:

➡️ Follow @saraellawrites and @hilltop_art 

❤️ Like this Reel

💬 Comment & tag a friend who might love this giveaway too

↗️ Share this Reel to your stories and tag me @saraellawrites for a BONUS entry

🏷️ Save this Reel for a BONUS Entry

Enter to win through Monday, December 8th at 11:59 p.m. PST. U.S. Only. Instagram only. Winner will be announced Tuesday, December 9th and tagged in my stories and on this Reel. Winner will be contacted via direct message for shipping address from this account only. Void where prohibited. Prize will be mailed in time to arrive by Christmas.

#saraella #glassacrossthesea #yafantasy #cinderellaretelling #paintededges #paintededgesbook #bookgiveaway #winabook #christmasgiveaway #christmasgiveaways
Follow on Instagram

 

 

© 2026 Sara Ella
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d