Visiting Me in the Forge
I have a back to school story for you. The other day I was in the Forge not writing. I do a lot of that. Not writing.
On this occasion, I was talking with some friends who were visiting on the way to take their daughter to college. Both of their daughters are preparing for college, and I loved hanging out with them. The mom, someone I had met on a book tour years ago, was telling me how she first encountered The Green Ember around ten years ago. She heard about it from Sarah Mackenzie, and won a copy of the first book’s audiobook. They listened and were hooked.
She told me how much they loved Joel Clarkson’s performance of the audiobook, and how much the books shaped the girls’ childhoods. “These books and Narnia. Green Ember and Narnia, those were our family’s books.” I got to show them the place where the Green Ember was born, and where it was written. I showed them where the climax of the first telling of the adventure, on a walk with my kids by the Step Tree. They enjoyed the tour, and we settle into the Forge for a bit.
They shared favorite parts of the series, and I was moved. They had memories of moments, some of which I had forgotten, that were deeply touching and got at the heart of what I hoped for when I wrote the stories down. They were an embodiment of my ambition, an answer to my prayers. I always wanted to love and serve, and they had been served and loved, and it mattered to them for their lives.
I showed them some fan mail, and some of the Green Ember art I had been sent recently on my desk. The older daughter said she had sent me a letter and a piece of art when she was a kid. It was a little painted wooden piece that had a quotation from the Green Ember: Old Natalia trilogy: “Until all the breaking is broken.” She had made another for her mom and it sits in their kitchen. I stood up, turned to my bookshelf, and retrieved the piece. It was displayed in a nook above my shelf.
That was special. These weren’t starstruck fans, but friends who were formed by these stories.
They recently did a book club with some friends. The book? The Green Ember. So, before they went off the college, the girls revisited a familiar, favorite tale, and I got to meet them on the brink of this new journey. What an honor. The girls and the family were lovely, and I was inspired by their ambition. “Love God more and more.”
These are very bright, intelligent young women of great character and joy, and the center of their aim in life is to love God.
Their parents are special people, of course—rare people. They have fought for those girls on many fronts, including their imaginations. And I got to be there, by their side. Their ally. I got to help.
What a privilege to be invited into the homes and hearts of amazing young people and their families. I will never get over that honor. And to help! To be able to serve them in this crucial area of stories. Stories shape us like nothing else.
Stories are meaning-making machines. Kids need stories—excellent, faithful, stories—to help them become who they are called to be.
So, this visit I had and these kind words and memories I was honored to hear. More often than I feel like I deserve, I get these gifts. Not always as explicit as the visit yesterday. But as I sit where they sat, I think of them and the many others I’ve been blessed to serve. Maybe this feels like a humble brag, but I sincerely just want to be frank in saying that God has done this and I am glad.
“God draws straight lines with crooked sticks,” goes the old proverb. Indeed. My life story.
I think of the character of Msimangu, a Zulu priest in Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country. His words have resonated with me since I first read them long ago.
“I am a weak and sinful man, but God put His hands on me, that is all.”
Amen.
I won’t get the chance to meet all of you in this life, but I love you all the same. It’s a profound honor to serve you. Pray for me, if you think of me, that I will do a good job and have many more years to say yes to this calling.
Your friend,
Sam
P.S. Today is the last day to enroll in the Young Writer’s Workshop.
P.P.S. Please take a moment to shop our Back to School Sale. We’re even giving away the Mini Teacher Pack – Green Ember Curriculum Guide for free.
P.P.P.S. Last week lots of you guessed a tote bag and you’re correct. We are excited to bring you The Mended Wood Literary Society tote bag. Up until now, it was only available to be won in the monthly Story Warren Giveaway (sign up for this newsletter to be notified of the next one). Now it will be available in a limited run!
*giveaway closed and winner has been notified * The game continues: leave your guess for the new merch in the comments and we’ll pick one winner to send one to when it’s out.
First off, I am going to guess but first I want to take a bit of time to thank you for what you do for my son. I’m a single mom and my son’s father, though in his life, doesn’t show to my son that he loves or wants him. My son reads your books to know what it means to be a good person. His favorite characters are Jo and Picket for their story arcs. He loves Helmer too but since he just got to know his story has loyally stayed by his original favourites. He keeps telling his friend who parents can’t afford your books the stories. He would love more stuffed characters to show and not just tell his friends your stories.
He guesses that the new merch is a new pack of cards and if it is he is excited as he can share them with his friends!
My guess is a pack of Character trading cards. 🙂
Are these some more awesome character cards?? I’m so excited for the Lost Tales version!!!
My guess is The Lost Tales Character cards.
I’m guessing a Lost Tales character trading card pack
Thank you so much for writing this amazing books. My guess is a new character card pack. (Probably old Natalia or lost Tales)
Character cards for Lost Tales!
Hmmmm…action figure ?
My kids are so hopeful for an action figure!
Great idea I would love action figures
Oh my goodness, is it cards?!
Character cards for The Archer Trilogy? I want to know what the members of the bracers look like!
My nine year old saw the picture and immediately said that it was a character card pack for the Lost Tales.
My daughter is guessing new character cards! As a side note, she bought herself a betta fish and named it Jo, after her favorite character!
That looks like more character cards! My kids will be excited!
Character cardssss that’ll be fun to collect
Lost Tales Character Cards!
Totally character cards…… Don’t know which book??
its the lost tales card pack
Its character cards for the lost legend.
It’s definitely a character card pack. Hopefully with Helmer and Picket! Thank you this amazing book series! Our entire family loves it.
New character cards! As a side note, a Mended Wood Board Game would amazing!
its the lost tales character card pack
Trading cards? How fun!
It looks like trading cards.
Are you making a card battle game?
Character Cards!!
We (9yo fan and myself) are guessing trading cards or vinyl stickers!
Also, such a fun story—what a special moment to show her that you still have her fan-art! Thank you for sharing.
We are earlier in our parenting/growing journey than this family and are thankful to have a series that is not only entertaining but reflects the same values that we want to impress upon our crew.
Character cards!!
Character cards for the computer game characters maybe??
Helmer trading card
My son just started reading green ember and loves it! Will these be trading cards? How fun!!!
Green Ember: Lost Tales Character Cards.
It looks like character cards! I think it’s Lost Tales. I have some character cards of my own and have shown them to all my friends. Heather, Emma and Helmer are my favorite characters.
P.S. Your books are great!!!
Trading cards!!!!
New character cards for the lost tales. 🙂
Lost Tales Charater Cards!!!! So excited!!!
Trading cards! Thanks for writing amazing stories!!
HIIIII Sam. Love your books have read the main series four times, love them! My guess (and hope) is that they are more character cards. Can’t wait for the new books!
New trading cards!
My guess is Lost Tales character cards! 😁
We are so pumped for the third book in the trilogy!
Character cards. I love your books, all of them. my friend got me in to them, and she loves them.
Yes!! They look like LostTales character cards! Like with the Blacks, you know? So excited!
Lost Tales character cards.
They definitely look like Lost Tales character cards!
It has to be character cards for the Lost Tales series! Me and my brothers would love to collect these cards!
My guess is new trading cards.
I originally saw his character card for
Old nitala
Well, based on the comments, it’s probably most likely lost tails character cards
either way both would be awesome and I can’t wait to purchase
Edit
Autocorrect messed up with my comment here’s the correct version
I originally thought it was character card for Old nitala
Well, based on the comments, it’s probably most likely lost tails character cards
either way both would be awesome and I can’t wait to purchase
Edit
AutoCorrect messed up. Here’s the correct version of what I meant to comment.
I originally thought it was character cards for old Nitala
But the other comments are probably correct that it’s lost tails character cards
My guess is trading cards!
It’s got to be Lost Tales Character cards, probably featuring Fiona.
My brothers and I are guessing character cards
I’m guessing Lost Tales. (it would also be cool to have old Natalia too! =)
New Green Ember cards
Green Ember trading cards!!
Hoping for more trading cards!!!! My kids can’t wait for the next book too!
Oh it is totally lost series character cards, I am personally hoping y’all will do Green Ember Archer cards, but we shall see…
Trading cards! Very cool 😎
Oh man, we hope it’s trading cards!!!
Green Ember trading cards!!
It is totally character cards! I already know who is going to get the free card pack. It’s either the beta fish email one or the single mom one. The people who are more personal with their emails get it. I on my part, am not wish-washy, even though I have hard times. 🥴
Well, it’s character cards. Obviously. I am not going to be wishy-washy about how much I love your books so I just said that. P.s. aren’t you supposed to just guess and note have side stories and notes? It kind of seems cheaty for those of us who aren’t single and stuff. (Why would I be single? I’m 12)
What is going on? I was guessing character cards but it’s not posting at all!
new character cards!!!
Character cards
Character cards featuring either Fiona or Marlan I think?? 🙂
We are guessing old Natalia character cards! Thank you for your faithful service and witness for the Lord! PS-love the T-shirt you’re wearing 👍🏼
Ooh. That looks like a character trading card pack!!
Thanks for all you do (you and your while team)!
Lost Tales trading cards.
My guess is new character cards!
i would guess that it is Lost Tales character cards
My guess is new trading cards (which sound very fun!)
Green Ember is also one of my family’s favorites, and we quote it all the time! “It will not be so in the mended wood” 🥹
We think it is Lost Tales trading cards. Our family enjoyed “Green Ember Live” so much. Thank you!
New character cards for Lost Tales! (My kids will be so pumped!)
I think it’s character cards!!!
Green Ember character cards for the Lost Tales!
I absolutely love what you do Mr. Smith, Green Ember is my favorite book series( besides LOTR).
Keep spreading the faith through your awesome books! My Guess is it’s a trading card pack.
God Bless you!
Looks like lost tales character cards to me!!
I think the new merch is new character cards, maybe from the Lost Tales.
I think it’s Lost Key Character Cards!
Lost tales trading cards!
Character cards!
New Character Cards!
I hope it’s Heather and Picket plushies!
I think it’s character cards. Those would be really fun to collect!!!
New character cards!
Character cards for the newest book that’s releasing soon!
Playing cards for Old Natalia?! We have the first set and my boys love them!
the lost tales character card pack
lost tales cards
Lost tales playing cards
Lost tales play cards
Lost tales cards of some sort
Lost tales character cards
Lost tales character cards
New lenticular trading cards?!!
Green Ember Lost Tales trading cards. I love collecting cards and have a few of The Green Ember ones already, along with many baseball cards.
Oh my word! Everyone is saying some kind of cards, but I’m going to stick with my original thought. Just because I’m different.
A Green Ember chocolate bar!
😂🍫🍪🐇
Mr. Smith should make a cookies-N-cream chocolate bar!
I just finished reading the Old Natalia Trilogy and it was great!
It is trading cards
I love having them i trade them when I meet new kids that love green ember
It is trading cards
I love having them i trade them when I meet new kids that love green ember
SD SMITH books are the best read jack zulu
A new pack of character cards for the lost tales?!
Also it wold be cool if you had a graphic novel for slow readers or kids who like comics instead of chapter books! (my brother….)
I am going to guess it is a new pack of character trading cards!!! I am so happy if they are, I love them so much!
Thank you for creating Natalia, the Green Ember, and a world where “the story is still going.” When things get hard in my own life, I remember that we are all part of a grander tale. You are my favorite author!
Lost Tales trading cards!
Its green ember lost tales cards!
character cards for the lost tales series
I think it’s Lost Tails character cards with Fiona Black! SOOOO EXITED!
Heather and Picket Trading Cards!!!
Ps. You are the best author ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
More trading cards, probably based on the Lost Tales Trilogy.
I see Lost Tales on the top… it must be lost tales trading cards! Can’t wait!
I think it’s a pack of Lost Tales character cards.
My guess is green ember character cards
This is just a follow-up to my old comment yes they are definitely most likely Lost tails character cards
I Guess Green Ember playing cards.
I think it is trading cards of the characters, a la Pokemon (but better).
Thank you for shaping the imaginations of my kids!
GREEN EMBER LOST TALES CARD PACK!!!!!!!!!
Tales of Old Natalia character cards.
Sweet story. We will add you to our prayers. My guess for the new merch is character cards.
I’m guessing Lost Tales character cards! So excited!
I think it is Green Ember Character card pack!
Well it’s not fair that I have to scroll all the way down the page to post my guess. in the meanwhile seeing other people’s guesses lol. my first impression upon seeing the picture was “huh, green ember potato chips??” 😆 but I might as well join the rest of ’em and say it’s Lost Tales Character cards