Press Kit
Author Bio
Full
Sheena Blankenagel, based in Southern Utah, is the recipient of numerous awards from organizations including L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest, the Utah Original Writing Competition, and the notable Olive Woolley Burt Awards. Her short stories have been published in Heritage Writers Anthology: A Collection of Prose, Poetry, and Art, and Utah’s Best Poetry and Prose 2025, and Creating Hope; the League of Utah Writers Anthology. THE FIRST SHE-STALLION is Sheena’s second novel.
Forever enamored by all things mythoi, Sheena’s passion for crafting stories is infused with vital themes of tolerance, equality and empowering marginalized groups.
Alongside writing, she volunteers regularly by teaching classes at her local chapter of the League of Utah Writers, hosting critique groups for burgeoning authors, and contributing articles to local newsletters and journals. Sheena feeds her inner artist by whisking her family off on outdoor adventures like camping, horseback riding, and soaking in hot springs.
Visit www.SheenaBlankenagel.com or follow @SheenaBlankenagel on Instagram| @SheenaBlankenagel on TikTok | @SheenaBlankenagelAuthor on Facebook.
Short
Sheena Blankenagel is a mythological fantasy writer based in Southern Utah.
The First She-Stallion is her second novel. Learn more at www.SheenaBlankenagel.com
What if a she-stallion, the first of her kind, must choose between embracing the part of herself she’s been raised to hate or witness the destruction of her entire race?
When Alexis is stripped her homeland, she’s forced to question everything in the shadow of a coming war. But can she trust her new companions and the ruthless warrior she’s falling for? The survival of centaurs may hinge on discovering her mysterious heritage, and Alexis must confront not only a lifetime of prejudice, but her own inner turmoil, to protect the ones she loves.
Set in the wilds of ancient Greece, The First She-Stallion is a gripping, fast-paced mythological fantasy that explores the transformation of breaking society’s mold to honor inner truths.
A story about reinvention and yearning to belong,
The First She-Stallion invites readers to look closer at what it means to be accepted and loved not only by others, but by ourselves.
About The Book
Praise
"A gripping and tense narrative. The First She-Stallion has the perfect balance of romance, intrigue, and action. A mythological fantasy novel worth picking up.”
— Amanda Empey, author of White Crown Academy and Sleepless
"As a trans woman, so many components of the novel are deeply relatable, the struggles very familiar. I loved seeing Alex challenge the binary system."
— Natalie Cooper, Beta Reader
"Well-written, full of suspense, and exciting. I love the nuances of themes: self-dividedness vs. self-acceptance, mercy vs. justice, the desire for power vs. the damage it can do."
— Ryan Lowe, English teacher and Beta Reader
Interview Quesitons
How did the world or characters first appear to you, as an image, a feeling, or a line of dialogue?
Your book explores the fluidity of identity and non-heteronormative romantic discovery. What drew you to those themes?
Which scene or moment changed the story for you as you were writing it?
What kind of research or lived experience shaped your characters?
How did your setting influence the tone or mood of the book?
If your protagonist could give one piece of advice to readers, what would it be?
What surprised you most about the story once it was finished?
How do you hope readers feel when they turn the last page?
What’s next, are these characters done with you, or do they still whisper?
Contact
Website:
www.SheenaBlankenagel.com
Instagram: @SheenaBlankenagel
TikTok: @SheenaBlankenagel
Facebook: @SheenaBlankenagelAuthor
Literary Representation:
Malaga Baldi
Baldi Literary Agency
www.baldibooks.com
Sheena is available for interviews, articles on writing, book fairs, and personal appearances.