The Story Behind Fantasma

WHO WE ARE

Meet the people who brought How I Met Fantasma to life.

How I Met Fantasma is a beautifully illustrated adventure that brings history to life through the eyes of a curious young girl and an unforgettable dog. Beginning at the Naples Archaeological Museum and traveling back in time to Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Fantasma leads young readers on an adventure filled with discovery, friendship, culture, and wonder.

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THE STORY: A Magical Journey Through Friendship, History, and Ancient Pompeii

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Meet the Authors

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THE PEOPLE BEHIND FANTASMA

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Sabranie Coyne

Sabranie Coyne is a mother of two and a passionate advocate for local arts and education in her community of Seward Park. She is also an avid world traveler that takes home the lessons she learns abroad to improve the lives of others. 

As an established real estate agent in the Seattle area she has helped hundreds of families find their forever home. As a new author she is helping to create fiction that will find a place in those homes for generations.

Sabranie grew up in the small coastal town of Anacortes, Washington, on Fidalgo Island at the gateway to the San Juans. This majestic corner of the Earth instilled a love of nature, community, and adventure. Her experiences among the rain forests and the Salish Sea shaped how she discovered her place in the world — and the world building necessary to create her first children's book series. 

She believes that stories, music, and meaningful connections have the power to bring people together across cultures and generations. Sabranie hopes to create experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. 

From her home that is a stone's throw from Lake Washington, she remains deeply committed to cultivating community through volunteerism, the arts, and her passion to help neighbors achieve their own dreams.

It was her travel that sparked her partnership creating historical fiction for children with the character of Fantasma. Fantasma is based on her family dog that passed away from old age, in the arms of her son. Just the day before she had said a warm goodbye to her furry friend as she returned to the Italy that inspired her to imagine her family's beloved Husky Lab as an immortal friend that rose from the ruins of Pompeii.

A man with glasses and a beard, wearing a black jacket, jeans, and sneakers, stands with arms open at the bottom of a stone staircase outdoors. He is smiling and looking up, with a historic stone wall behind him and greenery above.

Davin Michael Stedman

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Davin Michael Stedman is a songwriter, singing tour guide, and author from Seattle, Washington who lives by the quotes of Mark Twain. "History does not repeat, but it often rhymes" is one of many maxims that reflect his lifelong quest to promote truth and beauty in this world. In developing the character of Fantasma for his first children's book, he hoped to share Twain's discovery that "travel is fatal to prejudice" with future generations. 

Davin is president and founder of the 501c3 nonprofit Veterans of The Arts and a proud graduate of the Washington State University English Department. He plans to continue to mix mediums to bring people together and use his unique ability to turn the world into his stage as a means of tricking those he entertains into sharing his love of (continuous) education.

Davin wrote this book with the faith that millions of kids will share his love of world history, cherish their first pet, and have fun with poetry through fresh rhymes.

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THE ART BEHIND THE STORY

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Meet Larisa Lukyanchenko

Larisa Lukyanchenko is a children's book illustrator from Ukraine. She created every image as a citizen and a mother in a country at war. She holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from Lesya Ukrainka East European National University.

Her journey to Fantasma represents 12 years of passionate study, from Art School to University, carrying a wonderful dream.

Larisa has honed a craft weaving imagination that she presents on each page. She creates books that show children across the world a magic they too can express through color and words.

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WHERE FANTASMA BEGAN

The characters in How I Met Fantasma are based on Sabranie’s real-life family and their beloved dog. The story grew from a shared love of travel, history, art, culture, education, and storytelling, bringing together the places and experiences that inspired the book.

Inspired by Family, Travel, and a Beloved Dog


A story about discovery, friendship, and the joy of seeing the world through a child’s eyes.

OUR BELIEF

Davin and Sabranie believe in creating stories that inspire children to be curious, explore the world, and discover something new. Through How I Met Fantasma, they hope to bring together history, poetry, travel, friendship, and imagination in a way that children and grown-ups can enjoy together.

Stories Can Inspire a Sense of Wonder

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Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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READY TO MEET FANTASMA?

Bring Fantasma Home

Part travel inspiration, part history lesson, and most importantly, a story about an extraordinary friendship.

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