It’s not the sales, it’s the souls. I believe stories are catechisms for the soul. I’m not sure who said that first, but it wasn’t me. I did’t say it, but I heard. And I believe it. I love selling books and I want to sell millions more. I love that, from rural West Virginia, we’ve created a series that hangs with (and tops) books from huge New York publishers. I love that our sales team … [Read more...] about Sales and Souls: The Green Ember Series is for Beloved Readers
The Green Ember Series
Incredible Green Ember Fan Art!
Which is your favorite character? See them here in this astonishing Green Ember fan art from @meadowrosesart. I’m so impressed! This is an awesome collection of montages from Ember’s End. Wow! … [Read more...] about Incredible Green Ember Fan Art!
Big Things Happening. Big Gratitude to Meet Them!
These are good days for giving thanks. I’m grateful for these brothers, Josiah and Andrew, and the way they have had my back while I’ve been facing front. I have almost never felt up to the vulnerability and anxiety associated with being “out front.” You don’t often see them, but they are there. And I can’t do this without them. I’m grateful for you, the readers/fans/friends who encourage me … [Read more...] about Big Things Happening. Big Gratitude to Meet Them!
Author S. D. Smith and Actor Tony Hale to Keynote HBU Conference
S. D. Smith, author of the popular middle-grade series The Green Ember, will feature alongside multiple Emmy-winning actor Tony Hale at Houston Baptist University’s writing conference. The pair will share keynote duties at the creative conference hosted by HBU’s School of Fine Arts. The conference is aimed at serving writers, artists of all kinds, students, and educators. The May 1 event is free … [Read more...] about Author S. D. Smith and Actor Tony Hale to Keynote HBU Conference
A Blessing at the Back of the Book
This photo shows me right after reading the Author’s Note at the end of The Green Ember Book IV: Ember’s End for the audiobook. I wrote that note in a mall parking lot late at night. We were driving home from a church service and picking up a car we had left in the parking lot to meet up and drive together as a family. I was alone. I had been thinking the whole drive back from church (a … [Read more...] about A Blessing at the Back of the Book
Happy Anniversary Ember’s End. The Green Ember Finale’s Book Birthday!
Today is a special day; it marks the one year anniversary since the end began. We’re celebrating with a HUGE GIVEAWAY so read on to find out how to enter! Ember’s End was officially published on April 14th. Fun fact: due to numerous requests, this book released early as a way to serve those looking for hopeful, inspiring stories during a time that required bravery, courage, and hope. "Dark … [Read more...] about Happy Anniversary Ember’s End. The Green Ember Finale’s Book Birthday!
Green Ember Singing Sisters Are Back, “My Place Beside You…”
QUESTION: When you read The Green Ember books aloud, do you sing the songs? These girls wrote their own melody! The three sisters from the Philippines are back with another lovely song! “My place beside you, my blood for yours. Till the Green Ember Rises, or the end of the world!” #TheGreenEmber #RabbitsWithSwords #SDSmith … [Read more...] about Green Ember Singing Sisters Are Back, “My Place Beside You…”
Reading Together: A Real, Shared Adventure
Reading is always more than it seems. What Twila Farmer so beautifully painted here is a vision of what I dream. A child receiving from a parent who is giving, but also receiving. Their imaginations are knit together. They are where they are, but are also off on a daring, shared adventure. The journeys we go on together in books are real. They do not happen in the same sense that an embodied … [Read more...] about Reading Together: A Real, Shared Adventure
Kids Love The Green Ember Books!
I wanted to share a few bits of notes and art from the letters I’ve been catching up on from kids around the world! These letters and the accompanying art often included are so precious to me. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and love. It’s an unbelievable privilege to write stories for these kids and their families. Thank you! … [Read more...] about Kids Love The Green Ember Books!
Picket Packslayer NES Game?
My son, Josiah (not to be confused with my brother of the same name) made this dope image. If you were a kid in the eighties, you probably recognize the style of NES game design. Would you like to see this on a shirt? … [Read more...] about Picket Packslayer NES Game?
Sisters Sing a Beautiful Green Ember Song!
These lovely sisters from the Phillipines are big Green Ember fans, and the youngest composed an original tune to accompany a song from Ember's End: The Green Ember Book IV. Well done! This sweet tune joins a growing catalog of poems, songs, original art, and fan fiction being created all across the world. Kids find The Green Ember world is a fantastic and hospitable "world" to play in and … [Read more...] about Sisters Sing a Beautiful Green Ember Song!
2020, Am I Right? A Brief, Grateful Remembrance
Last year was tough for most of us, and so many continue to struggle through sickness, loss, economic instability, and other divisions and uncertainties. It’s been a painful opportunity for growth, and I’m hopeful about how God will use this chapter in our lives. The story isn’t over.As for us, we had our coast to coast book tour cancelled, which was a bummer because we wanted to see lots of … [Read more...] about 2020, Am I Right? A Brief, Grateful Remembrance