Daily Inspiration: Meet Mona Tebyanian

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mona Tebyanian.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey as an author has been both deeply personal and unexpectedly transformative. Writing has always been a quiet passion of mine — a way to process the world and imagine it anew. For years, I juggled my professional career and family life while nurturing the stories that lived in my head, but I hadn’t yet given myself permission to share them with the world.

The Queen of Sands, my debut novel, began as a spark of an idea inspired by my fascination with the timeless themes of forbidden love, destiny, and sacrifice. Over time, that spark grew into a story I couldn’t ignore. I wrote in stolen moments — early mornings, late nights — weaving together characters and worlds that felt real and urgent to me.

What truly brought me to where I am today was the decision to believe that my voice, my story, mattered. It wasn’t always easy to overcome self-doubt and the fear of putting such an intimate part of myself out there. But the more I wrote, the more I realized how many people crave stories that transport them, challenge them, and make them feel seen.

Now, seeing The Queen of Sands ready to meet readers has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m grateful for every step that led me here — and I hope my journey encourages others to honor their creative calling, no matter how long it’s been waiting.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I believe the bumps and detours have shaped me as both a writer and a person. One of the biggest challenges was finding the courage to prioritize my creative work alongside the demands of daily life. Like many aspiring authors, I struggled with self-doubt: wondering if my story was worth telling, if my voice was unique enough, and if I could truly see this enormous project through to the end.

Balancing writing with my other responsibilities — my career, my family, my own wellbeing — was also a challenge. There were times I felt guilty for carving out time to write, or frustrated when progress was slower than I’d hoped. But each setback taught me to trust the process and give myself grace.

Another hurdle was navigating the publishing world for the first time. As a debut author with no prior connections, I had to learn to advocate for myself and stay resilient in the face of rejections and delays. I realized that believing in my work was the first step — but staying committed through uncertainty was just as important.

Through it all, I’ve discovered that the struggles are part of what makes this journey so meaningful. They remind me why I write in the first place — to connect, to express what’s often unspoken, and to remind myself and my readers that even in life’s challenges, there’s beauty and hope.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My debut novel, The Queen of Sands, is at the heart of my work right now — and in many ways, it reflects what I most love and aim to bring to my writing. I’m drawn to fantasy worlds — places where anything is possible and imagination isn’t confined to defined boxes. I love letting my ideas run wild, creating worlds shaped entirely by my vision, where I can bend reality and explore what it means to be human through a lens of wonder and possibility.

What sets my work apart is that it’s inspired by a blend of cultures, histories, and mythologies that don’t always get enough space in mainstream fiction. I love weaving in elements of Middle Eastern folklore and timeless desert landscapes, giving readers a sense of place that feels both haunting and vivid. I want my stories to feel lush, immersive, and emotionally true — so that when readers close the final page, they carry the characters with them.

I’m proudest of having stayed true to my vision for The Queen of Sands. It’s easy to second-guess your creative instincts, especially as a debut author. But I knew from the start that I wanted this novel to challenge some familiar tropes, to let the characters make difficult choices, and to leave space for readers to reflect on what power, forgiveness, and love really mean.

Beyond the book itself, I’m proud to be stepping into this new chapter of my life. I hope my journey shows others that it’s never too late to honor your creative calling — and that our stories, no matter where they come from, have the power to resonate far beyond ourselves.

What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing as an author. With The Queen of Sands about to reach readers in September 2025, I’m already working on new ideas — more fantasy worlds where imagination knows no limits. I plan to expand this story’s universe with a potential sequel or companion novel because I feel there’s so much more to explore within its characters and the secrets they still hold.

Beyond this particular series, I’m eager to experiment with new narratives and genres, always staying true to my love for lush, immersive fantasy. I’d love to build a body of work that transports readers to unexpected places and makes them reflect on their own lives in the process.

One of my biggest hopes is to connect with readers around the world — whether through book events, virtual discussions, or simply sharing thoughts and stories online.

This is only the beginning for me. The biggest change is embracing the fact that storytelling is now at the center of my life — and I’m so looking forward to seeing where my imagination will take me next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://monatebyanian.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monatebyanian/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mona.tebyanian
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mona-tebyanian-726b0754/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Credits
The front cover credit for my book goes to Catherine Herold, the Illustrator and Designer of Koehler books.