In this episode of A Literal Journey, I sit down with writing coach Kimberly Lauren—the voice behind the popular Instagram account @talkwordytome_—to talk about why stories matter, how writing can be deeply healing, and what it really takes to finish a “meaningful” book. During the interview, Kimberly shares her journey from childhood journaling to working across publishing and now helping writers turn their ideas into books that truly matter.

We explores the therapeutic power of storytelling, the science behind expressive writing, why writer’s block may not be real, and the importance of reconnecting with what Kimberly calls the “white-hot center” of your story.

Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone who has a story to tell, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book and embark on your own literal journey.

📚 CHECK out Kimberly Lauren’s website: https://www.talkingwordy.com
👀 FOLLOW Kimberly Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkwordytome_/
🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/
🎥 WATCH more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ

KIMBERLY LAUREN is a writer, editor, and storytelling coach who helps people turn their ideas into books that matter. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Lesley University and has worked across publishing—as a magazine editor, publicist, and audiobook narrator. Her work has appeared in The Elephant Journal, No Sidebar, Utah Valley Magazine, and Scary Mommy. She is currently working on her third novel. A former founder of a journal company focused on the science of writing for well-being, she now helps other founders, creatives, and professionals finally write the books they’ve been dreaming about.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to A LITERAL JOURNEY for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and thoughtful conversations about the stories that shape us. 📖✨

#TalkWordytoMe #ALiteralJourney #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #AmWriting #Storytelling #AuthorLife #Writing #BookPodcast #ReadersOfYouTube #SethAdamSmith

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with author Rebecca Connolly to talk about the real path to becoming a writer—one marked by uncertainty, persistence, libraries, and learning by doing. Rebecca shares how taking just one creative writing class shaped her perspective on creative work, how she continued writing without formal training, and how she discovered that sometimes the only way forward is simply to keep going. During the interview, we talk about her books: An Arrangement of Sorts, A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice, Hidden Yellow Stars, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens, and The Claire Walker Mystery Series.

This conversation is an honest look at storytelling, growth, and what it means to stay committed to the journey—especially when the road isn’t clear.

Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone learning to trust the slow work of becoming, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book and embark on your own literal journey.

📚 READ Hidden Yellow Stars: https://amzn.to/4qmUSpg
👀 CHECK OUT Rebecca Connolly’s other books: https://amzn.to/4s8uP6L
🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to A LITERAL JOURNEY for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and thoughtful conversations about the stories that shape us. 📖✨

#RebeccaConnolly #ALiteralJourney #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #AmWriting #Storytelling #HistoricalRomance #BookPodcast #ReadersOfYouTube #SethAdamSmith

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

In this heartwarming episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down 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 discuss the power of writing from a dog’s point of view, helping kids navigate big emotions through story, and why one young reader described Ripley perfectly: “Sad… but hopeful.” McCall’s wisdom, warmth, and honesty make this a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, animal lover, or lifelong reader, this conversation will leave you inspired to open a book and embark on your own “literal journey.”

📚 READ Forever Ripley: https://amzn.to/4pyvpZS
👀 CHECK OUT McCall Hoyle’s other books: https://amzn.to/4pY8as2
🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A Literal Journey: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to A LITERAL JOURNEY for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

#McCallHoyle #ForeverRipley #MiddleGradeBooks #Dogs #AnimalFiction #KidLit #GriefAndHope #Reading #Parenting #Books #Literacy #AuthorInterview #ALiteralJourney #SethAdamSmith #HeartDog #HeartDogs

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

Imagine a future where paper is treasure, stories arrive in seconds, and the cliff notes are all you ever get. That uneasy thrill sparked Frank L. Cole’s The Legend of the Last Library—and it’s the thread we pull on as we dig into speed, meaning, and the quiet power of reading the long way. Frank shares how an impatient moment with AirPods became a full-on dystopia, why the rewrite that nearly broke him made the book sing, and how a single found novel rewires his heroine’s life in a world that’s forgotten what reading feels like.

We get personal and practical. Frank traces his path from early scares and school visits to a career shaped by persistence, hundreds of rejections, and a community that opened doors. He owns his pantser process—messy, intuitive, and sometimes maddening—and explains how recording voice notes, reading chapters aloud, and letting characters breathe keep the spark alive. We also revisit Potion Masters and Champion’s Quest, exploring research, real-world ingredients, and the kind of cover art that pulls kids into a universe at first glance.

Most of all, we talk about connection. How teachers and librarians help kids find gateway books. How reading out loud turns stories into family rituals. How a single thank-you at a signing can redefine success more than any sales target. Frank’s themes—friendship, courage, embracing the weird—show up on every page he writes, offering a gentle counterspell to shortcuts and algorithms. If you’ve ever wondered what we lose when stories come too fast, this conversation makes the case for slowing down, turning pages, and letting a book change you.

If this resonates, follow and share the show, leave a quick review, and tell us: what book hit different when you read it slowly? Subscribe for more author deep dives and craft conversations.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or book lover, this conversation will leave you inspired to open a book and embark on your own “literal journey.”

📚 READ The Legend of the Last Library: https://amzn.to/48Cs9pb
👀 CHECK OUT Frank L. Cole's other books: https://amzn.to/4iBjc45
🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A Literal Journey: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

#franklcole #frankcole #lastlibrary #dystopian #dystpianfiction #Reading #Parenting #Books #Literacy #AuthorInterview #ALiteralJourney #SethAdamSmith

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

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 publication—one that took J.D. five years and many rejections to finally bring his manuscript to life.

Through humor, honesty, and heart, J.D. shares what he’s learned about perseverance, creativity, and what truly makes a story great.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or book lover, this conversation will leave you inspired to open a book and embark on your own “literal journey.”

📚 READ The Inkwell Chronicles: https://amzn.to/47d1D4U
🌐 FOLLOW J.D. Peabody: https://www.jdpeabody.com/
🎧 LISTEN to more author interviews: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

#JDPeabody #InkwellChronicles #AuthorInterview #Author #Reading #Parenting #Books #Literacy #ALiteralJourney #SethAdamSmith

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

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 talks about the power of storytelling to shape imagination, character, and family culture—and shares how parents can help their children fall in love with reading.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or book lover, this conversation will leave you inspired to open a book and embark on your own “literal journey.”

📚 READ Liesl’s books: https://amzn.to/4n68QcX

🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A Literal Journey: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

#LieslShurtliff #Rump #FairyTales #Reading #Parenting #Books #Literacy #AuthorInterview #ALiteralJourney #SethAdamSmith

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

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 why stories matter, how books shape young minds, and practical strategies families can use at home to nurture readers. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or storyteller, this episode will leave you with actionable tools and a renewed belief in the importance of story.

📖 READ Mustaches for Maddie HERE: https://amzn.to/4nMRdzS

📖 READ Chad Morris's Books HERE: https://amzn.to/4nipSWo

📖 READ Shelly Brown's Books HERE: https://amzn.to/46vqIb4

#ChadMorris #ShellyBrown #Authors #ALiteralJourney #ChildrensBooks #YAauthors

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

Thank you for watching, and we hope you enjoy this insightful conversation with Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. Happy reading! 📚🎉

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

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 interview filled with behind-the-scenes stories, writing advice, and a heartfelt look at what makes The Restorationists Series such a captivating read for readers of all ages!

📖 READ The Restorationists Series HERE: https://amzn.to/4mgI7Kx

📚 EXPLORE Carolyn Leiloglou’s other books HERE: https://amzn.to/46n80T2

📢 FOLLOW Carolyn: https://www.carolynleiloglou.com

#CarolynLeiloglou #TheRestorationists #AuthorInterview #BookLovers #MiddleGradeBooks

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to A Literal Journey for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

Thank you for watching, and we hope you enjoy this insightful conversation with Carolyn Leiloglou. Happy reading! 📚🎉

My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

Subscribe for:
📚 A LITERAL JOURNEY – exclusive interviews with bestselling authors
🎙️ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Podcast – uplifting messages to inspire you forward
🕯️ AN AWE-FUL STORY – true tales that turn the “awful” into the “awe-full”

✨ My Books: http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!