A Literal Journey

Seth Adam Smith
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Books

Step into the world of stories with A Literal Journey, a weekly podcast/show hosted by author Seth Adam Smith. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with beloved and emerging authors about reading, writing, and the stories that shape who we become.  In every episode, Seth talks to authors about the stories that sparked their love for storytelling, their path of writing and publishing, and the lessons they've learned on their own "literal journey." Because, in the end, we don't just tell stories, we become the stories we tell ourselves. So whether you’re a reader searching for your next favorite book, or a creative searching for inspiration and encouragement, A Literal Journey will help you move forward!

  1. Aug 18

    Write In A Parking Lot (If You Must!) 🎃 D. W. Gillespie on The Dollhouse and The Monsters Among Us

    In this wonderfully eerie episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with horror author D. W. Gillespie, to explore childhood fears, Halloween magic, and the persistence it has taken him to write these haunting stories for young readers. D. W. Gillespie has published numerous books—and huge chunks of those books were written in his car… on his lunch breaks. D. W.’s journey is a wonderfully honest reminder that creative work rarely (if ever) happens under perfect conditions. Success doesn’t always arrive when (or how) we expect it, and sometimes the only thing we can control is whether or not we continue to put one foot (or one word) in front of another. During the interview, D. W. and I talk about his books, the magic of Halloween, monsters and childhood imagination, cursed arcade games, Southern Gothic horror, the morality often hidden inside horror stories, and the frightening (and humorous) comparisons between Frankenstein’s monster and AI. But, no spoilers! You'll have to listen to the FULL episode to learn more! Whether you're a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone pursuing a dream in less-than-perfect circumstances, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey. ABOUT D. W. GILLESPIE: Born and raised in Middle Tennessee, D.W. Gillespie has been daydreaming for as long as he can remember. His first short story was in second grade, and it involved (unsurprisingly) monsters wreaking havoc on some unsuspecting victim. Some things never change, and now D.W. writes a healthy mixture of horror, sci-fi, and supernatural fiction. He began writing seriously in 2002, and after winning the MacDougal Award for his short story "The Home", he's since been published many times in print and online. His body of work includes the novels Still Dark, The Toy Thief, and One by One. In recent years, he’s moved into middle grade horror, and his novels include Give Me Something Good to Eat, Grin, and The Doll House.  💀 ORDER “The Doll House” here: https://amzn.to/4x91P12 📚 CHECK OUT other books by D. W. Gillespie here: https://amzn.to/3U3XfT9  🌐 Visit D. W. Gillespie’s website: https://www.dwgillespie.com/ 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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. 📖✨ #horror #author #aliteraljourney #halloween #chucky

  2. Aug 14

    Maybe The Answer Is Under Your Socks? 🧦 Jacqueline West on Writing The Books of Elsewhere & Black Point

    How do you learn what is your heart is TRULY hungry for? In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Jacqueline West, the New York Times bestselling author of The Books of Elsewhere, The Collectors, Last Things, Long Lost, and her latest: Black Point. Guys, I gotta admit: I REALLY enjoyed this conversation. (Jacqueline's"author origin story" resonated with me.) Long before she was a bestselling author, Jacquline West was *secretly* writing stories and hiding them in her sock drawer. She did that for years until one day she realized that being an opera singer wasn't what her heart was hungry for. She didn't want to sing the words that other people had written, she wanted to write them (talk about a plot twist)! During our conversation, we talk about the novel she almost deleted (but eventually became the start of The Books of Elsewhere), a very real (very creepy) house that inspired the series, why she finds setting so important to her stories, and her new folk-horror novel Black Point—a story laced with the unsettling idea that maybe human beings are far scarier than any ghosts we may encounter... But, no spoilers! You'll have to listen to the FULL episode to learn more! Whether you're a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone trying to find out what their heart is hungry for, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey. About JACQUELINE WEST: Jacqueline West is the author of the NYT-bestselling middle grade series The Books of Elsewhere, the Schneider Family Award Honor Book The Collectors, the YA horror novel Last Things, the Minnesota Book Award-winning middle grade mystery Long Lost, the recently published YA horror novel Black Point, and several other odd and twisty books for young readers. Her poetry and short fiction for adults appear in a variety of publications. She lives in Red Wing, Minnesota. 💀 ORDER "Black Point" here: https://amzn.to/4wyccdr 📚 CHECK OUT other books by Jacqueline West here: https://amzn.to/4hAF3u6 🌐 Visit Jacqueline West's website: https://www.jacquelinewest.com/ 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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. 📖✨ #horror #author #aliteraljourney #halloween #suspense #socks

  3. Aug 11

    Our Lives Are ALL of the Genres 📚 An Interview with Fantasy Author Allison Anderson

    You may write alone, but according to author Allison Anderson, you can’t write a book by yourself... In this funny and thoughtful episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with fantasy author Allison Anderson, author of The Cartographer’s War series and the Children of Ash series, to talk about the strange and sometimes chaotic journey of reading stories to actually writing them. But FIRST! It should be said that Allison blames her dad for ALL of this! We talk about the realities of writing and publishing, why querying felt like “a dumpster fire,” (it's "for the freaking birds!") and the remarkable turn of events that gave Allison a publishing contract just three days (!!!) after she decided to quit querying and pursue another path. We also talk about her books from The Cartographer's War and the Children of Ash series, but some of my favorite moments are when we go deeper—beneath the stories. Allison talks about why writers need other people, why “our lives are all the genres,” and why ancient stories (like Greek Mythology) continue to resonate with us. Whether you're a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone trying to write their own unique story, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey. About ALLISON ANDERSON: Allison Anderson lives her best life as a wife, a mom, a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and a fantasy writer. As a life long fantasy nerd, she finds it natural to create stories of her own and you can often find her jotting down new story ideas or talking about dragons. She’s spent most of her life across the southwestern United States. 💀 ORDER "Son of Steel" here: https://amzn.to/45oL59N 📚 CHECK OUT other books by Allison Anderson here: https://amzn.to/4g3uVay 🌐 Visit Allison Anderson's website: https://www.allisonandersonauthor.com 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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. 📖✨ #fantasy #greekmythology #childrenofash #authorinterview #fantasybooks #allisonanderson #aliteraljourney

  4. Jul 18

    Patience Is Walking Forward With Hope 👣 Kaela Rivera on The Hungry Forest and Cece Rios

    When our dreams *refuse* to arrive on OUR schedule, patience isn’t simply waiting—it's “walking forward with hope.” In this inspiring (and hilarious!) episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with multi-award-winning author Kaela Rivera to discuss the experiences, family history, and years of persistence that have shaped her journey as an author. Kaela shares the inspiration behind Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, including the stories Kaela heard from her abuelo, her growing interest and connection to Mexican mythology, the terrifying legend of El Sombrerón (seriously, it's crazy!), and the question at the heart of the story: What would happen if people could see, touch, or control another person’s soul?  We also discuss her forthcoming middle grade horror novel (yes, *horror novel*), The Hungry Forest—a story about about two grieving brothers who hear their deceased father calling to them from a haunted forest... (don't go into the forest, guys!) Along the way, Kaela offers powerful advice about rejection, revision, grief, family connection, kindness, and continuing to hope when success takes longer than expected. Whether you're a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone struggling through a season of uncertainty, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey. 💀 PRE-ORDER the "The Hungry Forest" through the bookstore—The King's English—to get special goodies: https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/R888A8PhO_73dfYNm5BhWA About KAELA RIVERA: Kaela Rivera is the multi-award-winning author of the Cece Rios trilogy, LEGO DREAMZzz: Dream Chasers and the Riddle-Spokens, and The Hungry Forest (coming Aug 18, 2026). She grew up reading the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents in the forests of Tennessee, but now she writes about them from the soaring mountains of Utah. When not weaving together stories, she works in marketing, watches anime, or busies herself illustrating new adventures. She believes in the power of hope and aims to write adventures that heal. Sign up for her newsletter at kaelarivera.com. 💀 ORDER "The Hungry Forest" here: https://amzn.to/4bjUHpR 🌵 ORDER "CeCe Rios" here: https://amzn.to/3T2tv8J 📚 CHECK OUT other books by Kaela Rivera here: https://amzn.to/4vzmsSk 🌐 Visit Kaela Rivera's website: https://www.kaelarivera.com/ 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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. 📖✨ #KaelaRivera #CeceRios #MiddleGradeBooks #MiddleGradeHorror #MiddleGradeFantasy #AuthorInterview #WritingAdvice #MexicanFolklore #ChildrensBooks #BookTube #FantasyBooks #HorrorBooks

  5. Jul 4

    The Hero's Journey of George Washington ★ Screenwriter Diederik Hoogstraten on YOUNG WASHINGTON

    Hardship didn't destroy George Washington...it forged him. In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Diederik Hoogstraten, the screenwriter behind Young Washington, and talk about the extraordinary journey that transformed an uncertain young man into one of history's greatest leaders. Throughout the interview, Diederik and I discuss Washington's failures, his moments of doubt, his remarkable resilience and the relationships that helped him move forward. During our conversation, Diederik shares some insight from his own journey—including illness, addiction, faith, and redemption—and explains why he believes that some of our greatest challenges and hardships can help us discover our GREATER purpose. About DIEDERIK HOOGSTRATEN: Diederik was born and raised in the Netherlands, before settling in New York for school and his early career, then migrating to Los Angeles. As he spent time as a journalist writing about America, he fell in love with the country and became a proud U.S. citizen. He also began covering entertainment when he moved to Los Angeles as a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press and was active with the Golden Globes. Being in Hollywood also inspired an interest in screenwriting. Most recently, Diederik was honored to write the script for Young Washington with his writing partner Tom Provost and film visionary Jon Erwin. Diederik has several upcoming projects, and a taste of his work can be viewed at Fuelbreak Road Productions. Diederik lives in Austin, TX with his wife and three children. 🌐 VISIT The Wonder Project Channel: https://amzn.to/4brOvfd 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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. 📖✨ #youngwashington #georgewashington #america #usa #history #americanhistory

  6. Jun 26

    Why Fairy Tales Still Matter 📖✨ Emma C. Fox on Stories, Tolkien & Writing Historical Fantasy

    The BEST stories don't just entertain us... they remind us of what's TRUE. In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, award-winning author Emma C. Fox shares how an old copy of The Hobbit, a vivid dream, and a lifelong love of history and fairy tales have shaped her journey as an author. From the enchanted forests of medieval Germany, to the vast and varied landscapes of Siberia, Emma C. Fox talks about why fairy tales endure, how historical fantasy can reveal timeless truth, and why themes like sacrificial love, hope, and redemption continue to inspire us. Whether you're a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone searching for truth and beauty in an often chaotic world, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey. "I do think that the fairy tales and folklore of cultures around the world often so beautifully get at the triumph of light over darkness, of truth over lies." -Emma C. Fox About EMMA C. FOX: Emma Fox grew up in and around the legend-drenched city of Savannah, Georgia, where she fell in love with history and fantasy side by side. She now calls "The Magic City" of Birmingham, Alabama home. When she's not tutoring writing, tending to her three children, or dreaming up new novels and poems, you'll likely find her working in the garden among her roses and herbs. Emma is the author of the award-winning YA fantasy novels THE ARROW AND THE CROWN (2019) and THE CARVER AND THE QUEEN (2023). Her latest historical fantasy novel, HEART OF STONE, a standalone sequel to THE CARVER AND THE QUEEN, releases August 2026 from Owl's Nest Publishers. Emma is also a contributor to several anthologies, including THE LOST TALES OF SIR GALAHAD (Rabbit Room Press, 2022) and I'VE GOT A BAD CASE OF POETRY (Bandersnatch Books, 2025). Keep up with Emma's author news & events through her inspiring and encouraging monthly newsletter on Substack, "Hiraeth House." 💚 PRE-ORDER "Heart of Stone" here: https://www.owlsnestpublishers.com/store/p65/Heart_of_Stone.html#/ 👑 BUY "The Carver and the Queen" here: https://www.owlsnestpublishers.com/store/p43/The_Carver_and_the_Queen.html#/ 📚 ORDER other books by Emma C. Fox here: https://amzn.to/4v43D9N 🌐 Visit Emma C. Fox's website: https://emmafoxauthor.com/ 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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. 📖✨ #EmmaCFox #author #authorproblems #fantasy #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #fantasyauthor #booktube #writing #writingadvice #fairytales #books #cslewis #tolkien

  7. Jun 3

    Don't Write A "Perfect" Book (Write An Honest One) 📚 C. M. Cornwell on Writing The Memory Spinner

    The best stories don't have to be "perfect"—they just have to be honest... In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, author C.M. Cornwell shares the winding path that led to her novel, The Memory Spinner and the lessons she's learned about creativity, grief, perseverance, and most importantly—hope. From discovering her own creative spark, to rejection and eventual publication, and then to hearing readers discuss her characters in a book club, Christina offers a refreshing and deeply human look at what it means to create meaningful (honest) art. Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone who is looking for hope after loss, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey. About C. M. CORNWELL: C. M. Cornwell spent her childhood reading, climbing trees, and brewing imaginary potions with her seven siblings in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a degree in English Literature from Utah Valley University and lives in Pennsylvania with her family. THE MEMORY SPINNER is her debut novel. 📖 ORDER "The Memory Spinner" by C. M. Cornwell: https://amzn.to/4fmKjAr 📚 READ other Books by C. M. Cornwell: https://amzn.to/4e4LC4B 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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. 📖✨ #CMCornwell #thememoryspinner #author #authorinterview #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #fantasy #fairytales #storytelling

  8. May 19

    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 📚 READ other Books by Emily Bain Murphy: https://amzn.to/4tIWR8E 🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: 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 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

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Step into the world of stories with A Literal Journey, a weekly podcast/show hosted by author Seth Adam Smith. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with beloved and emerging authors about reading, writing, and the stories that shape who we become.  In every episode, Seth talks to authors about the stories that sparked their love for storytelling, their path of writing and publishing, and the lessons they've learned on their own "literal journey." Because, in the end, we don't just tell stories, we become the stories we tell ourselves. So whether you’re a reader searching for your next favorite book, or a creative searching for inspiration and encouragement, A Literal Journey will help you move forward!

Information

  • Creator
    Seth Adam Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fire Fish Media
  • Show Website
    A Literal Journey