I’m Sam. I’m married to beautiful and brave Gina and we have four sweet Smithereens. We live in West Virginia and, despite some serious challenges our community faces, we love it. We wouldn’t trade places with the most famous urban elites. I write New Stories with an Old Soul from The Forge—my writing shed about ten steps behind the photographer in the image above. I love writing adventurous … [Read more...] about I Write New Stories with an Old Soul from The Forge
News from the Blog
Heather’s Necklace! Picket’s Sword! Available For Christmas Gifts!
UPDATE! From the FAQ: Did Heather’s Necklace immediately sell out after going live? Yes! We are hoping to have more in stock by mid-December. (We hope in time for the December 13 Christmas shipping deadline—IF “FASTER SHIPPING” IS SELECTED—but we can’t be sure.) Be sure to be signed up for S. D. Smith’s newsletter. Subscribers there get all news first. ---- ---- ---- ----- If your kids … [Read more...] about Heather’s Necklace! Picket’s Sword! Available For Christmas Gifts!
A Giveaway Worth Over $1,000! Happening Now…
Christmas approaches, Thanksgiving is next week, and I love this time of year. It will be different and challenging this year for many of us, though the world has been far worse. Still, we’re in a painful, frustrating, and (for many), very challenging time—maybe even a time of grieving and lament. Advent, a season of reflection and fasting and giving is just around the corner, and I love that it … [Read more...] about A Giveaway Worth Over $1,000! Happening Now…
Green Ember Series Reading Order UPDATED
I'm really tempted to make this like one of those recipe blogs where they say, "I'm eager to share my homemade butternut nutbutter recipe with you, but it reminds me of my old college roommate Nutty B. Buttersworth. What a nut! Nutty and I went walking in the peanut fields outside of town on a crisp, clear, crispy-clear, very cold and crispy and clear day when he had a—you guessed it—a nutty … [Read more...] about Green Ember Series Reading Order UPDATED
Audiobook is Here as New Book is Officially Released!
It’s a big day for us as the new book, The Archer’s Cup, is officially releasing. It's officially official, according to the officials who are shilling in their offices. You can get it at bookstores like Amazon and elsewhere, including the excellent audiobook version performed by stage actor Eric Fritzius. Available at Audible and Hoopla and lots of other audiobook retailers! … [Read more...] about Audiobook is Here as New Book is Officially Released!
New S. D. Smith Book and Awesome Christmas Deals LAUNCH TODAY!
So, anything happening in the world? Not much, huh. Well, I’m going to excuse myself from the crowded space of armchair experts on elections and epidemics and economics and give you what I’ve got. What do I have? Stories. Now, my stories involve real personalities, characters who face the same sorts of challenges and opportunities we face. That’s why we relate to them. They feel real. (To me, they … [Read more...] about New S. D. Smith Book and Awesome Christmas Deals LAUNCH TODAY!
#GreenEmberKidArt winners for Q3 of 2020
Our Randomly Selected Kid Artist Winner for Q3! And Now.... Our Best #GreenEmberKidArt Winner for Q3 is... Congratulations to the winners! Follow this tag: #GreenEmberKidArt to see the wonderful art by the kids (posted by parents) on Instagram. And here for the same tag on Facebook. #GreenEmberKidArt 2020 Official Rules Official Rules: To enter, … [Read more...] about #GreenEmberKidArt winners for Q3 of 2020
You Held My Heart
All an author asks for is a chance. A chance, and the worshipful adulation of millions and the affirmation of our stubborn fathers and skyrocketing sales and awards and parades and magnificent statues looming before grand institutions named in our honor. We are a modest bunch. When I wrote The Green Ember, I genuinely just wanted a chance. I wanted a try-out, to use sports terminology (my … [Read more...] about You Held My Heart