In today's episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with author and middle school English teacher Lorien Lawrence to talk about her writing—particularly her Fright Watch series.

During the interview, Lorien shares how two wonderful teachers—a kindergarten teacher who helped turn her “scribbles” into stories, and a school librarian who read spooky stories to the kids—sparked her love of writing and storytelling. We also talk about her perspective as a middle school teacher working with students after COVID, the challenges of getting kids excited about reading, and simple ways families can build a community of readers at home. (Her insight even prompted me to recommit to reading DAILY with my own kids: putting the screens away, letting them choose the books they want to read, and making the time to wind down together with a good story.)

Lorien also talks about the years of rejection that came before her first book (which debuted during the pandemic 😖), finding a supportive community, learning to take feedback with an open mind, and Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein (so much of that book is applicable to our own time)!

Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone who believes one good teacher can change the course of a life, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey.

About LORIEN LAWRENCE:

Lorien Lawrence is a writer and middle school English teacher from Connecticut. She is the author of The Fright Watch series, The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family, and a co-writer of 3 in a Million. Lorien has creative writing degrees from Wheaton College and Bath Spa University. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found exploring New England with her family.

📖 ORDER The first book in The Fright Watch Series: https://link.amazon/B05KqRbBC

💻 VISIT Lorien Lawrence’s Official website: https://www.lorienlawrence.com

📚 CHECK OUT Lorien Lawrence’s Other Books: https://link.amazon/B07Bu8sDq

🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

🎥 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. 📖✨

#LorienLawrence #ALiteralJourney #Author #Horror #authors #writing #reading #frankenstein

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In today's episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with bestselling author (and Renaissance woman!), Alyssa Palombo and chat about her books: The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel, The Violinist of Venice, The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, The Borgia Confessions, and The Assassin of Venice (Sweet Moses! That's a lot of GREAT books)!

During the interview, we chat about the expeirences that shaped her as an author, the moment when she realized she wanted to write historical fiction, and the challenges of research and writing. Alyssa also shares what she loves about exploring the past and offers advice for writers who are struggling to either finish or publish their book.

Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone who loves historical fiction, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey.

About ALYSSA PALOMBO:

Alyssa Palombo is an author based in Buffalo, NY. She majored in English and creative writing with a minor in music. Alyssa is a classically trained mezzo-soprano who also dabbles in playing piano. When not writing, she can usually be found reading, hanging out and laughing way too hard at nonsensical inside jokes with friends, traveling, or at a concert. Her novels include The Violinist of Venice, The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel, The Borgia Confessions, and the Assassin of Venice.

📖 ORDER The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: https://link.amazon/B0a56p9TT

💻 VISIT Alyssa Palombo's Official website: https://link.amazon/B0glC3xzG

📚 CHECK OUT Alyssa Palombo's Other Books: https://alyssapalombo.com/

🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

🎥 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. 📖✨

#AlyssaPalombo #ALiteralJourney #Author #SleepyHollow #authors #writing #reading #historicalfiction

** Some links in this description are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. **

Author Nancy Tandon joins Seth Adam Smith on A LITERAL JOURNEY to talk about the inspiration behind her books, The Way I Say It, The Ghost of Spruce Point, and The Haunting of Walker Pond.

Along the way, Nancy shares how she moved from speech-language pathology to writing, how a publishing deal that feel through nearly sent her back to her old career, and how every "failure" can actually help move you toward your goal.

We also talk about writing characters with compassion, the childhood book that first showed Nancy the power of a good story, and the real rumor of a ghost at an inn that inspired her fictional setting.

Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone who enjoys a GOOD ghost story, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey.

About Nancy Tandon:

Nancy Tandon is the author of The Way I Say It, a Junior Library Guild Selection and Indies Introduce Kids Pick. Her novel The Ghost of Spruce Point, a companion to The Haunting of Walker Pond, was nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet and Hawaii Nēnē state book awards. She is a former teacher, speech-language pathologist, and adjunct professor of phonetics and child language development, all of which helped plant seeds for stories about awesome kids doing brave things. A transplant from the Midwest, Nancy now lives in Connecticut with her family and enjoys spooky summers on the coast of Maine.

📖 ORDER The Haunting of Walker Pond

💻 VISIT Nancy Tandon's Official website

📚 CHECK OUT Nancy Tandon's Other Books

🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY

🎥 WATCH more episodes of A LITERAL JOURNEY on YouTube

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. 📖✨

#NancyTandon #ALiteralJourney #Author #ghoststory #middlegradebooks #ghoststories #authors #writing #reading

** Some links in this description are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. **