A Literal Journey

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Paul Tremblay (and do my absolute BEST to keep my inner fan in check). Paul Tremblay is the award-winning (and jaw-dropping) bestselling author of A Head Full of Ghosts, The Cabin at the End of the World, Another, and so much more! During the interview, Paul shares his unlikely path to becoming an author (he has a degree in mathematics, after a...

When the world gets dark, a good story can remind us that light will ALWAYS overcome darkness... In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I chat with Ryan James Black, a man who goes by all three names (respect!) and the author of the “unputdownable” book: The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham. (For real: I could NOT put this book down!) Set during the London Blitz, Nimble Nottingham blends real histor...

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Lindsay Currie, a USA Today AND New York Times bestselling author. (And Sweet Moses, it was a WONDERFUL interview!) Lindsay talked about graveyards, history, and what it’s like to write and publish spooky stories for Middle Grade readers.  Along the way, Lindsay shares a bit of her background, what got her into reading and storytelling, and how...

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with writing coach (and long-time friend) Kimberly Lauren, the voice behind the popular Instagram account @talkwordytome_—and chat about why stories matter, how writing can LITERALLY heal you, and what it really takes to finish a “meaningful” book. During the interview, Kimberly shares her journey from childhood journaling to working across publishi...

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with author Rebecca Connolly and talk about the real path to becoming a writer: a path characterized by uncertainty, persistence and success though doing. Rebecca shares how just one creative writing class set her on the path to becoming a writer, how she continued writing without “formal training,” and how learning that sometimes the only way forwa...

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I talk with award-winning author and educator McCall Hoyle. During the interview, McCall shares how her deep love for dogs, her years teaching at-risk youth, and her own experiences with grief shaped novels like Stella and her newest “heart book,” Forever Ripley. We talk about the power of writing from a dog’s perspective, helping kids navigate big emotions, a...

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I chat with Frank L. Cole, author of The Legend of the Last Library (and so much more)! During the interview, Frank shares how a moment of impatience sparked an interesting idea for dystopian book, how a brutal rewrite made a story stronger, and how discovering a book could transform a person’s life. We also dive into Frank’s creative journey: the persistence...

What makes a good story—and what keeps a writer going after years of rejection? In this episode of "A Literal Journey," host Seth Adam Smith sits down with J.D. Peabody, author of "The Inkwell Chronicles," to explore the deeper themes behind his beloved series. Together, they discuss the influence of C.S. Lewis, the role of faith and belief in storytelling, and the long road to...

In this FUN and inspiring episode of "A Literal Journey," host Seth Adam Smith sits down with New York Times bestselling author Liesl Shurtliff, celebrated for her reimagined fairy tales: Rump, Jack, Red, and Grump. In this interview, Liesl shares the story behind her beloved books, the moment that sparked her writing journey, and her path to publication. Throughout the episode, Liesl ta...

In this episode of A Literal Journey , host Seth Adam Smith sits down with authors Chad Morris and Shelly Brown for a heartfelt and practical conversation about the power of stories, the literacy crisis in America, and what parents can do to inspire a lifelong love of reading in their children. From their own books and experiences as writers, educators, and parents, Chad and Shelly share wisdom on...

In this episode, Carolyn Leiloglou shares insights from her series The Restorationists , the journey of her unforgettable characters, and the deeper themes that run through the series. During the interview, Carolyn talks about the challenges and joys of writing for young readers, the role of art and creativity in her work, and what’s next on her literary horizon. Don’t miss this exclusive intervie...