“My place beside you…” That’s the start of the sacred oath the characters recite in The Green Ember that resonated deeply with me when it first flowed from my fingers into the tale and has since moved so many readers. I don’t view my work as a platform to achieve “elite artist status” but as a magical-ordinary vocation where God has called me to be an ally in imagination to families who are … [Read more...] about My Place BESIDE You…
Allies in Imagination
You Drink Your Coffee & You Go To War (Fight Back!)
I see you as heroic for the way you love and serve your children and I see myself as an ally in your work. Thank you for letting me in on the adventure that is serving your precious kids! I wrote this Fight Back essay as an a encouragement to you. I hope it is inspiring! Consider sharing it with friends you are fighting back alongside! Every day you show up. You drink your coffee and you go … [Read more...] about You Drink Your Coffee & You Go To War (Fight Back!)
Heroes Are Old Fashioned And Kids Need Realism?
Kids don’t need cynical so-called “realism.” They know about evil and villains, let them know about heroics. Let them get a taste for hope. Kids need heroic, hopeful stories. … [Read more...] about Heroes Are Old Fashioned And Kids Need Realism?
S. D. Smith on Dangerous & Intense Stories for Kids
I’m a parent. Our family is intentional about the sort of media we read and watch (the kids and us), and we take that responsibility very seriously. But like so many other areas of discernment, there are ditches on both sides of the road. Many of us, overcorrecting for the (very real) toxicity and vulgarity of so much media, have embraced a “safe for the whole family” approach that is dishonest … [Read more...] about S. D. Smith on Dangerous & Intense Stories for Kids
S. D. Smith: Boys Will Only Read Silly Books? No!
We all can agree that helping boys fall in love with good stories is a noble aim. What is ONE suggestion you have for helping? It can be a book, a habit, a rule, a sneaky scheme—what are you doing that helps engage the young boys you love in reading excellent stories? … [Read more...] about S. D. Smith: Boys Will Only Read Silly Books? No!
Want to Know the Secret Behind Green Ember’s Phenomenal Success?
Dear Friends, I get a lot of credit. I get enthusiastic feedback in heaps. But people credit me with more than I deserve. You want to know what has made this crazy thing go? The Green Ember Series has reached its growing and enthusiastic audience because of you. Compared to a traditional publisher, we’ve spent peanuts on marketing. We’ve simply aimed to remove obstacles. You have been our … [Read more...] about Want to Know the Secret Behind Green Ember’s Phenomenal Success?
Thank You for these Five Years
I grew up playing sports.Where athletes dream of a tryout.For story makers, all we ask,Is to give our tales a chance.You did, and for five years now,You keep giving me your time.You keep giving me an audience,With those you treasure most.We have invited each other in,You and I.I shared with you my stories,Born at home and with my kids.Our adventures became yours,And we exchanged this gift.You … [Read more...] about Thank You for these Five Years
Imagination isn’t a Diversion, it’s the Way
Make believe makes believers. Imagination. A silly, harmless habit of immature kids? I don’t think so. Imagination is seeing what is not obvious. It is seeing what lies beyond the mere visually present. But what if there’s more? More than, “It is what it is?” More than the middle part of the story we’re seeing right now. What if the secular fundamentalist scolds are wrong? What if the stories … [Read more...] about Imagination isn’t a Diversion, it’s the Way
Author as Ally: S. D. Smith’s Green Ember Notes From the Front
I’ve been working hard the last few weeks sharing about the new books, hustling to remove obstacles for families who are keen on these new stories with an old soul. It’s easy to lose the big vision in the hustle and hurry of urgent tasks. But again and again, you guys are reminding me why good stories matter. My friend Heidi says the best stories (anchored in truth, goodness, and beauty) are not … [Read more...] about Author as Ally: S. D. Smith’s Green Ember Notes From the Front
How S. D. Smith Connected With Sally Clarkson’s Family
Sally Clarkson. Clay. Joel. Sarah. Let’s start with Sarah. I met her years ago when we both were new writers for The Rabbit Room. We did a session together at the RR conference and I was blown away by her brilliance and ability to speak so winsomely in public. I didn’t know her parents, but I met Clay and we hit it off. Then I met Sally, too. We loved them at once. I had no idea they were … [Read more...] about How S. D. Smith Connected With Sally Clarkson’s Family
You Held My Heart In Your Hands
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 … [Read more...] about You Held My Heart In Your Hands
A Word About Andrew Mackay, An Amazing Publisher
Note: This was included in a post I shared a little while back among other things I'm thankful for. I thought it deserved its own post. Andrew Mackay is the man behind Story Warren Books and Brightener Books. Many people think I’m self-published, but that’s at best only barely true. I do not do cover design. I do not typeset my manuscripts. I do not have any idea how to get my books an ISBN or … [Read more...] about A Word About Andrew Mackay, An Amazing Publisher