Hi
I'm Saeah,

I’m the founder and creative director of Otterpine, an independent author support agency, based in Asheville, North Carolina. I specialize in helping people publish and distribute their books independently.

I’ve been a marine engineer, a dog walker, an event planner, writer, photographer, editor, an officer in the Navy, executive assistant, yoga teacher, an energy auditor, beta reader, rock climber, researcher, and content marketer—among other things. I hope that as I get older, this list grows longer—not for accomplishment but as a testament to my love of learning and exploring.

I was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States when I was six years old. I moved around a lot as a kid and even more as an adult, so I’ve never had a good answer to the question, ‘Where are you from?’ Over a period of five years, I lived in six different countries. I liked how it challenges my perspectives. Very few things are right or wrong—only different. In 2018, I put away my suitcase and settled in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC.

I’m happiest when I’m learning and when I’m building something—turning an idea into something tangible and realized. And more than anything, I love storytelling—the stories behind the smiles on strangers’ faces, how songs are created, why a dog might be fearful. I pursue these stories because it strengthens my connection to the world. And in any moment, there are an infinite to pursue.

My life has always been centered around books. As a kid, my favorite destination was the library. And that’s still true now. I collect my favorite books in various languages. I love the look and feel of a well designed book in my hands. I sold all my stuff but kept my 30 boxes of books. My friends sigh when I drag them into a bookstore because they know I’ll never want to leave. I find solace in libraries. My favorite travel spots are local indie bookstores.

So it’s natural, that I found a home in helping others publish their books. Most days, it feels like a dream job.

Learn how you can work with me here. And see what I’m working on now.

Other
random facts:

  • I have an almost unhealthy obsession with Japanese literature. I especially love Yasunari Kawabata.
  • I used to rock climb A LOT. I loved it because of how meditative it is. At one point my second home was the New River Gorge.
  • I own Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami in nine languages. I look for them on my travels.
  • Even though I’d love to be the kind of person who reads one book at a time, I often read five books at once.
  • I think bugs are cool.
  • No one would guess it, but I’m highly introverted. I have to take a full day to replenish my cup after a couple of days in NYC.
  • My favorite country is Japan (don’t tell my Korean mom).
  • In one year, I lived in 5 countries. Some people would say traveled to, but I say lived because I went on one-way tickets with no real plans to leave.
  • I once stayed with a mountain sheep herder I met during a summit hike to Mulhacén (the highest peak in Spain) after running of out food. I was young and unprepared but it also led to my favorite travel story. We had the best conversations even though he spoke no English and I spoke very little Spanish.
  • I’m the world’s worst tourist. When I’m in a new country, I prefer to sit in a park and visit the grocery store. You can learn a lot about a culture from those two places.
  • I love jazz music because I like seeing how musicians communicate with heart. I’ve seen Hiromi perform 10+ times from a steakhouse in Atlanta to Japan.
  • I get bored easily and while I used to feel guilty about the number of hobbies I have, I’ve learned that it’s a part of who I am. I’ve also accepted that I’ll probably always be in constant identity crisis and will be wondering what I’m going to be doing when I grow up when I’m 80 🙂
  • I love postcards and letter writing. If you send me one at 81 Broadway St, Suite 201, Asheville, NC 28801, I promise I’ll write you back.