Warrior Bataar, the protagonist of “The Gryphon King.” (Illustration by Ender Coskun)
Nearly 10 years in the making, The Gryphon King marks a major debut for Georgia author Sara Omer. Out this month from Titan Books, the novel proves that some stories are worth the time it takes to find their voice. In a recent conversation with ArtsATL, Omer opened up about her writing process, the Atlanta literary scene and what it means to write dark fantasy novels rooted in real life perspectives.
The Gryphon King introduces readers to Bataar of the Red Steppe, a young warrior whose life is irrevocably changed after a harrowing encounter with a gryphon, depicted as a mythical, monster-like creature. As Bataar rises to power, leading conquests across the continent, the story delves into themes of leadership, loyalty, the weight of relationships and the complexities of war.
The narrative is enriched by Omer’s SWANA-American (Southwest Asia and North Africa) heritage and offers a fresh perspective within the fantasy genre. It also marks her arrival as a new voice in speculative fiction. Though the novel is set in an imagined world, Omer did significant research to ground the story in realism. “My family is Iraqi Turkmen and Kurdish, so there’s a lot of really interesting Turkic myths and culture that I could draw from,” she said.
However, she admitted, taking some creative liberties was necessary. “There were things that I didn’t want to be taken from certain cultures or time periods because I was blending them and trying to create something new. But for plot-related reasons, I really wanted blood transfusions to be a possibility,” she explained. Her fictional take on the procedure includes animal parts and natural materials. “It sounds so unhygienic, but I’m sure it probably wouldn’t kill you,” she joked.
Omer’s mix of logical and playful storytelling forms the novel’s core narrative. The religious systems and naming conventions reflect her deep reverence for SWANA culture and her aim to bring broader cultural nuances to the genre. “I like the idea of fantasy being a way to lead into real-world understanding,” she said. “There are a lot of different fantasy stories out there, and they’re deserving of your attention.” Character concept art by Turkish illustrator Ender Coşkun and map designs by the author’s brother, artist Allen Omer, also help bring the novel’s world into sharper focus. By working with artists who share a connection to her heritage and her characters, Omer adds another layer of depth to the story.
Although Omer’s writing feels global in influence, her literary roots are undeniably local. As a current graduate student and teaching assistant at Kennesaw State University and former editor for several local publications, Omer is crafting a strong presence in the Atlanta literary scene. Her early work at Peachtree Publishing Company and Art Papers shaped her understanding.
“Peachtree was my first experience with anything related to publishing,” she said. “To be able to sit in on those acquisition meetings and talk to editors, it was so informative. At that time, I thought I was just going to be an editor. I didn’t realize I wanted to be a writer quite as strongly.” Though she’s primarily focused on fiction writing now, that foundation, combined with the support of Atlanta’s independent book scene, gave Omer the confidence to finally pursue authorship. With about 30 independent bookstores operating in metro Atlanta, it’s possible to build a literary following from grassroots events like excerpt readings, book signings and panel discussions with other local authors. “The indie bookstores in the Atlanta area are really welcoming to new authors,” she shared.
More on ArtsATL: Author Katie Mitchell chronicles Black independent bookstores in Atlanta.
The community support and insights about the publishing world empowered Omer to write freely, moving beyond conventional tropes to tell a story that is emotionally honest and culturally diverse. In The Gryphon King, she includes familiar fantasy elements like royalty, mythical beasts and magic. However, these motifs are used as entry points into much deeper explorations of grief, violence, political unrest and moral ambiguity.
Writing characters that feel emotionally lived-in and grounded encourages readers to consider what fantasy can offer aside from diversion. “Can you find escapism in really dark content?” Omer asked. “I don’t know. But I think it’s worth asking.”
Beyond storytelling, Omer hopes The Gryphon King encourages readers to explore unfamiliar histories and helps usher in a new wave of culturally diverse fantasy novels that entertain as well as educate. When asked about her writing influences, Omer made sure to champion emerging authors. “Firstborn of the Sun [by Marvellous Michael Anson] is a Yoruba-inspired fantasy I’m really excited about,” she said. “And The Weavers of Alamaxa [by Hadeer Elsbai] is an Egyptian-inspired series, and it feels so timely.”
With a growing author community and indie book scene and more literary events popping up each year, Omer is optimistic about a future where Atlanta becomes a publishing hub of its own. “I don’t know if I’m just biased because I live here, but there’s a lot of opportunities in this city.” As a debut author building her literary future in the South, she’s helping make it happen.
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Tyra Douyon is an Atlanta-based journalist, content writer and editor with a master’s in professional writing and a bachelor’s in English education from Kennesaw State University. In addition to freelance writing, she is a published poet and a staff editor for an independent literary arts magazine.
