Cleveland Nurse Finds Escape from Burnout with Debut Fantasy Novel Blood Spells

NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO — For SJ Santiago, the transition from the high-stakes environment of a hospital ward to the mystical landscapes of her debut novel was a process years in the making. Santiago, a registered nurse currently pursuing her master's degree, recently released her first fantasy book, "Blood Spells: The Awakening." The story follows a young woman named Aradia who, upon her 18th birthday, discovers magic is a tangible part of her biological heritage. According to Santiago, the narrative was not born in a library or a classroom but surfaced through a series of vivid dreams that stayed with her for more than half a decade. The demands of a health care career often lead to burnout, a reality Santiago manages through what she calls compartmentalization. She views her creative outlets, including writing, painting and playing guitar, as essential tools for maintaining her mental health. While her professional life is dedicated to caring for others, her private time is spent building a world where characters fast-travel via dolmen stones, a concept she researched during her travels to Ireland. It took roughly five years of active work to finalize the manuscript, a timeline interrupted by her nursing studies and international trips. According to the author, the decision to publish now stems from a belief that readers need a reprieve from the stresses of daily life. She noted people often look for an escape when the news feels overwhelming. "Blood Spells: The Awakening" explores themes of destiny and identity, focusing on a specific type of powerful blood magic that characters in the book rarely use because of its significant consequences. Santiago handled the research for the book herself, ensuring the names and phrases used in the story reflect the diverse cultures she encountered during her travels. Santiago is no stranger to the local creative scene. Before she was a novelist, she was a featured artist with the Greater Cleveland AIDS Task Force and had her work displayed in three area museums. She was also previously featured in the Lakewood Sun News for her artistic contributions. Despite the difficulty of finding literary representation in northeast Ohio, Santiago has taken on the roles of both promoter and representative to bring her work to the public. She manages these responsibilities alongside a full-time work schedule and her graduate studies. Local readers will have several opportunities to meet the author in the coming months. Santiago is scheduled for a meet-and-greet event March 21 at Goddess Elite, located at 28887 Lorain Road in North Olmsted. She will also be a featured author at the Big Ohio Book Con in Medina, set to take place June 6-7. These events allow her to connect directly with the "bookish community" she credits with supporting her transition from artist to author. Beyond her debut fantasy work, Santiago is currently developing a sequel and two unrelated projects. One is a children's book, and the other is a nonfiction exploration of her 10 years of experience navigating dating apps. She describes the upcoming nonfiction work as a collection of cautionary tales and humorous failures designed for those who find the modern dating landscape challenging. "Blood Spells: The Awakening" is currently available for purchase on Amazon. Santiago expects the book to be available in local libraries and independent shops throughout Greater Cleveland later this spring. Fans can find updates on her upcoming tour and future releases by following her social media handle, SJSANTIAGO77, on Instagram and TikTok. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.