Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Fabian
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?
I’m a freelance writer and author with over 40 published books, mostly science fiction and fantasy. Many of them are humorous. I love to laugh and to make people laugh.
In 2022, I was feeling like life was getting a little stale, and I wanted to explore my bucket list. Skydiving? What if my chute failed? Not how I wanted to make an impact on the world. Comedy? I love humor writing, so I told my family I wanted to learn standup comedy.
My son snorted. “That’s funny.”
Yes! I was a natural!
I took the Orlando Improv comedy class and had a blast. I learned that writing for standup is different from humor writing. It’s snappier and you can’t manipulate the narrative. In fictional humor, you can set up the scene to find the joke. In standup, you need to find the joke that’s already there. I really enjoyed the time on stage and the laughs. I was third performing in our graduation show and had the time of my life. The audience had fun, too.
It took me some time to find my niche, but I had a wonderful opportunity to do a routine at the Catholic Writers’ Conference in 2024, and found my place. Now, I’m promoting myself as a comedienne to Catholic events and conferences.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Despite loving doing standup and being on stage, I was about to give it up at the start of this year. My mom’s Alzheimer’s was getting worse and she needed more of my attention. I was also elected President of the Catholic Writers Guild, which (for me) was a big deal.
Even more, though, I was just not interested in doing the kind of work most comedians do to get popular—going to open mic nights at bars and networking to get shows (often also at bars.) I don’t drink and am not comfortable with “blue” comedy, even to listen. I had done a few open mic nights at a kava bar and local restaurant, but the restaurant closed, and the feedback I got wasn’t encouraging, especially when I felt my jokes were funnier than a lot of the dirty stuff the others were spouting. I didn’t know where I fit in, so I was ready to bow out.
That’s when God gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. The Catholic Writers Guild was hosting a live conference and they asked me to do some comedy for entertainment night. I thought they wanted 10 minutes of jokes, but no—they asked for 45! That’s essentially a Netflix special. I had 2 weeks’ notice! I threw myself into it, came up with material, and it was amazing. The audience never stopped laughing. Afterward, people from different Catholic dioceses said I should consider offering to do comedy at Catholic conventions and events.
No more bars? An audience that wants clean comedy that supports our faith? I am in! I recently did a performance at my local parish for 200 people and am working on the demo reel for my website. My goal is to have 2-4 performances booked a year. This gives me plenty of time to be there for Mom, write my books, be with my family, and still feed my desire for laughs.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
You know about my comedy now: I style myself as a Catholic comedienne, and my performances are geared to having fun with our faith but in a very supportive way. I want people to laugh but also to come away feeling proud to be Catholic.
In addition, I write science fiction, fantasy, and comedic humor. I have over 40 books published via Amazon. I recently finished Book Nine in my DragonEye, PI series. *Gapman* is about the first superhero in the world. Ron, an entertainment reporter with self-esteem issues, falls into a vat of magical toxic waste at a dress rehearsal and ends up with superpowers. I’m also on Book Eight of the Space Traipse: Hold My Beer stories. If you like Star Trek and parody, this is the series for you.
I’m also starting a new series for middle-grade readers: Zach Augustine. It’s based on my Catholic SF series. The first one, Stowaway to Saturn, focuses on the virtue of diligence.
I used to freelance for a business magazine, but circumstances have changed and I quit my main client in April. It was a hard decision, but God has put so many new opportunities before me since then, that I know I made the right choice.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The Catholic Writers Guild has been a godsend to me. Not only did they give me the opportunity to discover my niche, but they’ve supported me in everything I do. In fact, as I was in the throes of writing, I’d come to a point when I thought my jokes were stupid, no one was going to laugh, and maybe I’d better bow out while they had time to figure something else out. My good Guild friend, Sarah Crickard, read the stuff and declared it hilarious, giving me the confidence I needed to carry on.
Others in the Guild have looked over my jokes (as well as all my writing. We have an active critique group.) I would not be where I am without them.
In addition, my comedy instructor, Carmen Vallone, has always encouraged me. He’s the one filming the show to make me a professional reel I can send to event organizers. My comedy classmates also support me, even when our humor is vastly different.
Pricing:
- Books: 99 cents to $17
- Comedy: Contact me
- Writing Courses: $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karinafabian.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinafabian_author/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Karina-Fabian-Speculative-Fiction-with-a-Grin-2233839790277963
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarinaFabian
- Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/lasercowpress/shop
