I'm Hosting An Open Mic This Week!

The Selection Box: live on YouTube on Friday Night!

Sarah New has always been drawn to the darker underbelly of life. Now, she’s trying to pull herself into the light, and she’s taking independent literature with her.

Since childhood, Sarah has been writing stories, eventually culminating in three published horror novellas: Amissis Liberis (2024), Hypochondria (2025), and the upcoming CATFOOD (2026).

Now, as an adult and an advocate of the indie literature movement, she’s trying to give back to the community who welcomed her with open arms.

“I felt that there wasn’t a space for me and my work in the traditional publishing realm,” Sarah explains. “But online, I found a wonderful community who uplifted my work. I have discovered so many incredible people through my time online, and read so much amazing work, that I wanted to celebrate them the way they have celebrated me.”

An idea was born, inspired by Sarah’s time with the European Writers Salon, and she quickly teamed up with fellow indie lit advocate and podcast host Saffron Asteria to make it happen. As the host of BOOKED, a rapidly growing podcast that interviews a new author every episode, this collaboration just seemed to make sense.

“Saffron lives and breathes for this community. I couldn’t do this event without her,” Sarah shares.

And so, the idea of the Selection Box was created: an online open mic giving authors the chance to read their work aloud and promote their books. Its name is both a nod to Sarah and Saffron’s shared British heritage, but also a reference to the event’s line-up. The event will showcase seven authors from different genres, including but not limited to romance, science fiction, and fantasy, with horror author Sarah as organiser and host.

“I feel that events where the audience can get to know you are an underrated marketing tool for indie authors. They’re something I’m looking to prioritise in my career from now on, especially with the release of my new book,” Sarah states. “You’re not just selling a product, you’re having to sell yourself as a brand, so why not have fun with it?”

The Inaugural Selection Box will be hosted on BOOKED’s YouTube channel (@BOOKEDPOD) on 24th April at 8pm BST/2pm CST, with readers such as L.N. Holmes, Tim McKay, and Evan J. Peterson.

Whilst initially a one-off event, there are hopes to expand this into a quarterly event. Sarah will return to BOOKED on 17th June, after the launch of her new book CATFOOD, but this time for a one-on-one interview with Saffron herself.