Welcome, Sophia!

Having grown up in the enchanting New Mexico desert, Sophia Minetos has been writing stories inspired by the magic of the southwest since she was a child. With a lifelong fascination with the fantastic and a penchant for the make-believe, fantasy has always been her favorite genre to read and write. When she isn’t writing, Sophia can be found reading voraciously, training for her next half marathon, knitting colorful socks, or singing with her a capella group. 

About Graves for Drifters and Thieves

The Hespyrian West is a place for legends and lawless men. It is a merciless and dangerous land, filled with outlaws, monsters, and the magical Nefilium. Here, Jae Oldridge works as a bounty hunter to support herself and, hopefully, find her missing father. When Jae feigns interest in joining an enigmatic gang of silver thieves, hoping to turn them in, she finds herself thrown into an adventure spanning the entire territory, encountering ghosts, monsters, and vengeful gods along the way. Over time, the gang she initially sought to turn out becomes the family she never had. 

Interview with Sophia Minetos

Tell us about yourself – what is something readers would be surprised to find out? 

One of my go-to “two truths and a lie” truths is that I sing in a barbershop and a capella chorus! I teach middle school English, so I get to spend my days trying to get teenagers excited about reading. Sometimes it works. I’m a huge homebody, but I do enjoy getting out from time to time to see what New Mexico has to offer. That said, I prefer to stay home with a book, some yarn, and a cup of tea. Fantasy is my favorite genre to read, but I partake in just about everything: sci-fi, romance, contemporary, literary fiction, historical… you name it. I also have a fondness for mythology from all different traditions. The world of the Drifters’ Saga was inspired largely by American legends, Native American folklore, and Mesoamerican mythology. 

What is it about the Weird West genre that draws you to it? What are your favorite aspects or examples of this often-underappreciated genre?

Growing up in the southwest has been a privilege. The landscape has an ethereal, larger-than-life sort of beauty to it. There are so many magical places out here: Shiprock, Carlsbad Caverns, Tent Rocks, Cibola National Forest, etc. When I was younger, I used to stare out the window on roadtrips, listening to my iPod and imagining stories spanning the landscape. It really is a perfect setting for a high-stakes adventure, and I think that magical and fantastic elements really blend seamlessly with it. 

What inspired you to write this story?

I’ve been wanting to write a story set in a world inspired by the American old west for a long time. I’ve always gotten a lot of inspiration from music; almost all of my current WIPs were inspired by a certain album or artist. One of my favorite bands is a folk band called Lord Huron, and my favorite album is their debut, Lonesome Dreams. It’s really unlike anything else I’ve ever heard. It’s got an old-timey spaghetti Western feel to it, with some really enchanting elements from Indonesian folk music… so it gives it that magic touch. Right away, I was enamored with the themes of wanderlust, and grappling with a desire to see the world verses coming home to someone you love. I knew I wanted this story to have a similar feel: a western with a heavy dose of magic. The main characters sort of naturally wandered into my mind after I already had the setting: a bounty hunter who falls in love with the thief she’s trying to turn in, and that’s how I met Jae and Halston. The others came along naturally. I think most of them occupy a specific role in the gang: the muscle, the brains, the shootist, the heart. Most importantly, I knew they had to be a family. I don’t think anything I ever write will be missing the found family element. It’s too near and dear to my heart. 

Are there any other writing projects you’re working on?

Several! I’m working on outlining a fantasy-mystery right now, but I’m in the process of editing the third book in the Drifters’ Saga, so it’s definitely on the back burner. I’ve been reading a lot of mysteries and whodunnits to drum up some inspiration. I’ve also got a fantasy space-opera in the works, but I’m definitely going to have to do some more research for that one. The Drifters’ Saga is going to be a trilogy, but I don’t think I’m done with the world of Hespyria. I’ve been considering an anthology of short stories set in the same world, or a spin-off series. 

Anything else you’d like to add about writing or the Weird West (tips, etc.)?

It may sound like common sense, but the most important skill you can develop is learning how to stick with a project to the end. Writing a book is wonderful. It’s also oftentimes frustrating, discouraging, and grueling… and one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. If you want to finish writing something (and make it as good as it can possibly be), you’ll reach a point where you sort of start to hate it. That feeling won’t last forever. It’s important that you stick with it, even when that feeling arises. You can’t always rely on feelings of motivation; you have to have discipline before anything else. The frustration doesn’t last forever… but the pride once it’s done? The joy that comes with having told a story in its entirety? That’s forever, my friend! 

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