A Literal Journey

Who Are We Becoming? 🕯️ Emily Bain Murphy on Lightseekers, Writing, and Finding Hope and Beauty

“There’s so much beauty in the world and in our lives if we have the eyes to see it.” -Emily Bain Murphy In this meaning-FILLED episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Emily Bain Murphy—author of The Disappearances, Enchanted Hill, The Ivory City,  Splinters of Scarlet, and The Lightseekers Series—for a conversation about hope, beauty, and the power of stories to shape our lives. During the interview, Emily shares some of the stories and themes behind her books, the long road to publishing, how stories can help us "zoom out" and see the bigger picture, what it means to become a "light seeker," and her firm belief that there is hope and beauty in the world if we have the eyes to see it. About EMILY BAIN MURPHY: Emily Bain Murphy is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the adult historical mysteries The Ivory City and Enchanted Hill. She is also the author of the YA fantasies The Disappearances, which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and Splinters of Scarlet, which received multiple starred reviews and was nominated for the MASL Truman Readers’ Award. Both are available now from HarperCollins. Murphy was born in Indiana and raised in Hong Kong and Japan. She graduated from Tufts University and has also called Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California home. Her debut middle grade fantasy trilogy Lightseekers was published March 2026. She currently lives in the St. Louis area with her husband, three children, and a rescue bunny. 📖 ORDER "The Lightseekers: A Kingdom of Shadows" by Emily Bain Murphy: https://amzn.to/4eRpD3a [https://amzn.to/4eRpD3a] 📚 READ other Books by Emily Bain Murphy: https://amzn.to/4tIWR8E [https://amzn.to/4tIWR8E] 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CvEfBcK1xALUswAkOwlNf?si=98cea0829ca145e6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1CvEfBcK1xALUswAkOwlNf?si=98cea0829ca145e6] 🍎 LISTEN on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-literal-journey/id1839517342 🎥 WATCH more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] 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. 📖✨ #EmilyBainMurphy #Fantasy #CSLewis #MiddleGradeBooks #BookTube #Author #AuthorInterview #Lewis #Christian #Storytelling #BooksThatMatter #Hope #Writing 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 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] – 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 [http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8] 🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com [http://www.SethAdamSmith.com] Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

Find Your Weirdos 📚 Mary Averling on The Curse of Eelgrass Bog and The Burn Beast

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Mary Averling, the award-winning author of The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay, and the The Burn Beast, for a conversation about scary stories, childhood memories, and the hope and heart in middle grade horror. During the interview, Mary shares part of her own literal journey—from living in England and Canada, to learning that writers didn't have to be "old, crusty, and dead." (😂) We talk about Mary’s love for middle grade horror, the long road to publication, and how her books use scary elements to explore feelings of loneliness, grief, anger, friendship, and belonging. Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone who enjoys a spooky story filled with meaning, I hope this episode encourages you to "find your weirdos," open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your *own* literal journey. About MARY AVERLING: Mary Averling is the author of The Curse of Eelgrass Bog and other strange stories for middle grade readers. She grew up across England and Canada and has degrees from the University of Victoria and Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. Since she can’t stay away from libraries for very long, she is currently working toward her PhD in Ontario, where she lives surrounded by all the magical, creepy, heartfelt books she can find. 📖 ORDER "The Burn Beast" by Mary Averling: https://amzn.to/4duR68F [https://amzn.to/4duR68F] 📚 READ other Books by Mary Averling: https://amzn.to/4wvEiHF [https://amzn.to/4wvEiHF] 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CvEfBcK1xALUswAkOwlNf?si=98cea0829ca145e6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1CvEfBcK1xALUswAkOwlNf?si=98cea0829ca145e6] 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-literal-journey/id1839517342 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-literal-journey/id1839517342 ] 🎥 WATCH more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] 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. 📖✨ #MaryAverling #reading #middlegradebooks #kidlit #authorinterview #booksforkids   #childrensbooks #writingjourney #bookrecommendations #penguinbooks 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 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] – 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 [http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8] 🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com [http://www.SethAdamSmith.com] Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

Finding Hope and Magic in the Gulag ✨ Cristin Williams on Russian History and The Whisper of Stars

When the world feels dark, cruel, and dehumanizing, a good story can help us hold onto hope... In this fascinating episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Cristin Williams, author of the historical fantasy novel The Whisper of Stars. Cristin shares her own literal journey as a writer—including the years of "writing in obscurity" before her publishing her first novel. Along the way, we discuss Russian history, Stalin’s witch (!!!), writing advice, and how kindness can have a profound ripple effect for good. Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone looking for a little light during a dark time, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your *own* literal journey. About CRISTIN WILLIAMS: Cristin Williams is the author of historical fantasy novels for adults and kids. Her adult debut, THE WHISPER OF STARS, will be published in 2025 by Orion, under the Gollancz imprint. Cristin was born in Japan while her parents were working as Russian-English translators for the US military. She spent her early adulthood travelling the world while working in the non-profit sector, and she now lives in Belgium with her Flemish husband and four daughters. When not writing, you'll find her studying history, photographing castles, or exploring the tangled forest of the Belgian Ardennes. 💻 VISIT Cristin Williams's official website: https://www.cristinwilliams.com [https://www.cristinwilliams.com] 📖 READ The Whisper of Stars: https://amzn.to/4f80dyf [https://amzn.to/4f80dyf] 🎥 WATCH more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] 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. 📖✨ #CristinWilliams #AuthorInterview #HistoricalFantasy #FantasyBooks #WritersLife #RussianHistory #RussianRevolution 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 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] – 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 [http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8] 🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com [http://www.SethAdamSmith.com] Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

Revision Is Where The Magic Happens 📝 Janette Rallison (and C. J. Hill) on Writing Across Genres

“And remember that revisions is where the magic happens. That’s where you’re taking that … piece of coal and turning it into a diamond.” -Janette Rallison In this thoughtful and funny episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with author Janette Rallison (also known as C. J. Hill). Janette explains how her daughter's experience in school was one of her primary motivations to write books for teens. During the interview, Janette talks about writer's block, getting published, facing rejection, and what success (really) looks like. We also dive into what Janette has learned from traditional and independent publishing, and why she believes revision "is where the magic happens." Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone who just loves a good story, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your *own* literal journey. About JANETTE RALLISON: Janette lives in Arizona with her husband and divides her time between her children, grandchildren, writing, and wandering around the house looking for items she has misplaced. (This is how she gets most of her exercise.) She has two dogs and enough cats to classify her as “an eccentric cat lady.” She did not do this on purpose. Every single one of the felines showed up on its own and refuses to leave. Since Janette has five children and deadlines to write books, she doesn’t have much time left over for hobbies. But since this is the internet and you can’t actually check to see if anything on this site is true, let’s just say she enjoys dancing, scuba diving, horseback riding, and long talks with Chris Hemsworth. (Well, I never said he answers back.) 💻 VISIT Janette Rallison's official website: https://janetterallison.com/ [https://janetterallison.com/] 📖 READ My Fair Godmother (Janette Rallison): https://amzn.to/4sIWnPr [https://amzn.to/4sIWnPr] 📖 READ The Slayers Series (C. J. Hill): https://amzn.to/41Gt0SJ [https://amzn.to/41Gt0SJ] 📚 CHECK OUT Janette Rallison's other books: https://amzn.to/4tmJhIO [https://amzn.to/4tmJhIO] 🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/ [https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/] 🎥 WATCH more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] 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. 📖✨ #JanetteRallison #CJHill #ALiteralJourney #AuthorInterview #yaromance #fantasy #romcom 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 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] – 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 [http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8] 🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com [http://www.SethAdamSmith.com] Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

Writing Through Chaos 📖 Joan Reardon on Critical Thinking and The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters

This episode is for people who struggle creating something meaningful *especially* when life feels chaotic and uncertain... In this delightful episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with award-winning author Joan Reardon to talk about her remarkable path to publication. Always a devoted reader, Joan resolved to write her own Middle Grade Novels *while simultaneously* navigating the COVID shutdowns, finishing school, moving, studying for the bar exam, getting married, and starting a career in law (holy crap!). During the interview, Joan shares how The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters grew out of her love of family, folklore, early American history, and cryptids (who doesn't love a good cryptid?!) and how Dad Rock Dragon Quest is a kind of "love letter" to her husband. Along the way, we talk about Percy Jackson, writing as a kind of therapy, family as the beating heart of story, and how she truly measures her success as an author. Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone trying to finally make the thing you feel "called to create," I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your *own* literal journey. About JOAN REARDON: Joan is an award-winning author and attorney from Youngstown, Ohio. When Covid cut Joan's senior year of college short, Joan thought she'd give writing children's books a chance. Six years later, and Joan has two novels published with Simon & Schuster's Aladdin imprint: Dad Rock Dragon Quest (2025) and The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters (2024). 💻 VISIT Joan Reardon's official website: https://www.writingreardon.com [https://www.writingreardon.com] 📖 READ The Grimsbane Family With Hunters: https://amzn.to/4bXGS11 [https://amzn.to/4bXGS11] 📚 CHECK OUT Joan Reardon's other books: https://amzn.to/4mg32ic [https://amzn.to/4mg32ic] 🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/ [https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/] 🎥 WATCH more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] 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. 📖✨ #JoanReardon #ALiteralJourney #AuthorInterview #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensBooks 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 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTQ34vyf-9NkrTcSH0KEwXPOhdVqZRVZ] – 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 [http://amzn.to/2p7FXA8] 🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com [http://www.SethAdamSmith.com] Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!