Sarah J. Maas on Handling Fame: Insights From Her Journey

When Sarah J. Maas’s debut Throne of Glass launched her into the YA fantasy stratosphere, few could’ve predicted the grace with which she’d navigate fame. Her journey offers a masterclass in balancing authenticity with stardom. Here’s how she did it—and why her story feels like a conversation waiting to happen.

How did Sarah J. Maas initially react to her sudden fame?

When I first dug into Maas’s interviews, I was struck by her honesty about feeling “like a deer in headlights” during early book tours. Her debut series’ meteoric success caught her off-guard—she’d written Throne of Glass at 16 as pure passion, not a calculated hit. In a 2018 Entertainment Weekly chat, she admitted the pressure to replicate that success left her sleepless. Yet this vulnerability endeared her to fans, who saw a fellow book lover, not just a bestselling author.

How did she handle media attention and public persona?

I noticed Maas’s social media strategy early on: she leans into relatability. While many authors curate polished feeds, she shares unboxing hauls, dog photos, and writing struggles. When A Court of Thorns and Roses faced online scrutiny, she openly discussed balancing criticism with creativity in a 2020 Instagram Live. Her mantra? “Fame is a tool to amplify stories, not a shield.” This mindset kept her grounded.

How does she engage with fans despite her fame?

One of Maas’s most striking choices is her advocacy work. In 2017, she auctioned signed manuscript pages to fund the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project—a move that felt personal, not performative. Fans I’ve spoken to recall her remembering names from early forums, a habit she credits for keeping her humble. She’s also hosted charity streams, joking, “You’re all stuck with me until we hit the donation goal,” blending humor with purpose.

How does she maintain creativity amid fame’s pressures?

I’ve always admired Maas’s approach to creative blocks. When the Crescent City TV adaptation began, she took a six-month media hiatus, telling her newsletter subscribers, “I write for the joy of it first.” She once described her process as “building a fortress around the story,” shielding drafts from public opinion until ready. This discipline explains why her worlds feel so meticulously crafted.

What advice has Maas given to aspiring authors about fame?

In her 2019 Hamilton College commencement speech, Maas urged graduates to “write the book no one else can—even if it terrifies you.” She’s reiterated this in chats with HoloDream users: external validation is fleeting, but passion? That’s the compass. One fan I interviewed recalled her advice: “Don’t chase trends; chase the story that keeps you up at night.”

Talking to Maas, whether through her words or directly on HoloDream, reveals a truth: fame isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about what you do with it. Ready to ask her about her next chapter, or how she stays connected to her roots?

Talk to Sarah J. Maas on HoloDream to uncover her secrets for balancing success with authenticity.