The Stories Between Us

Shawn Smucker
  • 4.9 (66)
  • BOOKS
  • SERIES

Two writers, Shawn Smucker and Maile Silva, married to each other, explore the highs and lows of creativity, publishing, and the writing life.

See All

  1. EPISODE 1

    154 Getting 2% Better

    We're back! We're talking about a book that has challenged the way we prioritize writing in our lives, a book that has reminded one of us about the kind of writing we actually want to do, and we're asking for wisdom about a very important topic: how to get your dog to stop eating off the counter.

    33 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    155 The Practice that Makes All the Difference

    Maile talks about what she's returned to that is making all the difference in her creative life, as well as why she wasn't crazy about the beginning of one of Shawn's favorite books. There's a brief update on Maile's book submission process. Michelle DeRusha's Seasons of the Soul enters the conversation. And the children are home from school. Fun all around!

    24 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    156 Sarah Westfall and Being Human Together

    Today the wonderful Sarah Westfall joins us to talk about community--is digital community real? Is it good? Is there anything we can do to bring it to a more complete place?  She also talks about her long and winding (and ongoing) publishing journey and how a devastating loss opened her eyes to her own need for community.  Check out more of Sarah's writing at Human Together.

    45 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    157 Adam Perry Brings the Ghosts

    At 16 years old, he had a weekly comic in the Lancaster paper. At 19, he had finished writing his first middle grade novel. Now, numerous books and years later, Adam Perry is trying something new: he's written a horror book for kids (or historical supernatural--you be the judge). Adam has a lot of fun and practical things to share about his creative journey.  And you can still pick up his latest book, Ghosts Come Rising, in time for Halloween!

    46 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    158 Join Our Writing Community for Free

    Today we have a special announcement to make: our online writers' community, also called The Stories Between Us, is now open to any writer who would like to join. And it's free. But registration will only be open for two weeks, so check it out. You can find out more about the community HERE. We also talk about being voluntarily brainwashed, what Maile's been reading, and a podcast that Shawn's enjoying.

    21 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    159 Leslie and Ned Bustard Talk Creativity, Cancer, and the Gift of Art

    Leslie Bustard is a poet, a publisher, and a gatherer of creative people. Ned Bustard is an artist, a writer, and a publisher. Of course, they are both much more than that, but today we take some time to dig into beautiful and difficult topics with them: the releasing of new books, how art is completed, and the role cancer has played in their creative lives.  Head here to find out more about their books as well as their upcoming conference, Ordinary Saints (where we'll be doing a live recording of our podcast!).

    50 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    160 Looking Beneath the Surface with Patrice Gopo

    Let's talk about place and belonging! Essayist and children's author Patrice Gopo joins us today to explore what it might look like to use our imagination when considering other people's stories. What if we made room for the unexpected? How are we connected to the places where we started? Patrice Gopo is an award-winning essayist and the author of books for adults and children. Her essay collection, All the Colors We Will See, was Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. Her debut picture book, All the Places We Call Home, was inspired by one of the essays in her collection. As the child of Jamaican immigrants who was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Patrice often writes about racial identity formation, immigration experiences, and the beauty of living a multifaceted life. You can find out more about Patrice and her books HERE.

    30 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    161 It's a First for Sean and Jamie Dietrich (Sean of the South)

    We couldn't wait to talk with Sean Dietrich about his new book, You Are My Sunshine, but let's be honest, what we really couldn't wait for was having his wife Jamie on the podcast. She claims she's never been on a podcast with Sean before, so I guess that makes us ground-breaking? Move over Diane Sawyer--The Stories Between Us is where you can find the never-before-heard debut interview with Jamie Dietrich. And she spills all the goods on Sean, including the fact that he never knows the terms of his writing contracts (only she does) and her tactics to get him writing again if he's falling behind.

    35 min
See All Season 7 (32)

4.9
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

Two writers, Shawn Smucker and Maile Silva, married to each other, explore the highs and lows of creativity, publishing, and the writing life.

Information