How does a bestselling author turn history into unforgettable novels?

In this fascinating episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore—a PROLIFIC, inspirational writer whose work spans several genres.

Heather shares the story behind her writing career: from her lifelong love of reading, to her discovery that yes, even people from UTAH can become authors (!!!), and her subsequent journey of building a catalog of more than 90 publications. We also talk about "the war of art," the discipline required to write consistently, the ups and downs of researching historical fiction, and the challenge of bringing real (sometimes emotionally heavy) stories to print.

Along the way we talk about several of Heather’s books, including: "The Paper Daughters of Chinatown," a powerful story about a mission home that rescued trafficked Chinese girls in 19th-century San Francisco, as well as her recent novel "Julia," a novel about famed Julia Child and her surprising wartime service with the OSS.

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

About HEATHER B. MOORE:

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than ninety publications. Heather writes primarily historical and #herstory fiction about the humanity and heroism of the everyday person. Publishing in a breadth of genres, Heather dives into the hearts and souls of her characters, meshing her love of research with her love of storytelling.

Her ancient era historicals and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes historical women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore, and . . . speculative fiction under Jane Redd. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. Despite failing her high school AP English exam, Heather persevered and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in something other than English.

💻 VISIT Heather B. Moore's official website: https://hbmoore.com/

📖 READ The Paper Daughters of Chinatown: https://amzn.to/4rs4sHF

📚 CHECK OUT Heather B. Moore's other books: https://amzn.to/4ssehpG

🎧 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. 📖✨

#HeatherBMoore #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #WritingAdvice #WritersCommunity #BookPodcast #AuthorLife #WritersJourney #PaperDaughte

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 – 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
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

“Once you see how big the world is and all the options that are there, you stop feeling kind of doomed, right?”

In this fascinating episode, J. W. Ocker pulls back the curtain on his unconventional (and very literal) writing journey, from blogging about odd roadside attractions on "Odd Things I’ve Seen" (OTIS) to winning the Edgar Award (I was trying so hard not to fan-girl)!

Ocker has built a prolific career researching the strange and unusual: cryptids, cursed objects, haunted places, and the darker corners of history. Along the way, he makes a compelling case for seeking a “bigger context”—commenting that when you expand your view of the world (even by a millimeter), you deepen your sense of wonder and become far less likely to feel stuck (I really loved that segment—such great advice).

Throughout the episode, J. W. and I discuss many of his books, including: The New England Grimpendium, Poe-land, The United States of Cryptids, Don’t Go There, Death and Douglas, and more.

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

About J.W. OCKER:

J. W. Ocker is the Edgar Award-winning author of Poe-Land: The Hallowed Haunts of Edgar Allan Poe, A Season with the Witch, and Death and Douglas. His work has appeared in The Guardian, the Boston Globe, CNN, the Atlantic, and other places people stick writing. He's from Maryland but has lived in New Hampshire for more than a decade.

He is also the creator of OTIS: Odd Things I've Seen (Oddthingsiveseen.com), where he writes about his visits to oddities of nature, history, art, and culture.

💻 VISIT J. W. Ocker’s official website: https://www.oddthingsiveseen.com

📖 READ The United States of Cryptids: https://amzn.to/4u0m3J5

📚 CHECK OUT J. W. Ocker Books: https://amzn.to/3P8LwzZ

🎧 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. 📖✨

#JWOcker #EdgarAllanPoe #Cryptids #Bigfoot #SkinwalkerRanch #HorrorWriters #MiddleGradeBooks #WritingAdvice #AuthorInterview #ALiteralJourney #WeirdHistory #TrueCrime #Paranormal #HorrorBooks #RayBradbury #WritingLife #SpookyStories #Folklore #MysteryWriters #StrangePlaces

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 – 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
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!

“Scary stories give kids a chance to be brave without any risk to themselves.” -Wendy Parris

In this episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Wendy Parris, the author of middle-grade novels Field of Screams and Stage Fright (side note: I just finished finished Field of Screams, it's fantastic!). During the interview, Wendy explains how scary stories are a great way for young readers to explore big emotions like fear and grief, and come away feeling braver and stronger.

Along the way, Wendy opens up about her 12-year path to publication—a path marked with delays, rejection, self-doubt, perfectionism, and how a little bit of encouragement from her son came at just the right moment. We go behind-the-scenes on her books Field of Screams and Stage Fright, and then Wendy even gives some insider info on her latest book! Wendy's journey to publication is a powerful reminder that "no" isn't the end of your story... it's leading you to your "yes"!

Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone looking for encouragement on your creative path, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey.

About WENDY PARRIS:

WENDY PARRIS grew up loving books and hoping—but failing—to see a ghost. After graduating from Northwestern University, she acted in small Chicago storefront theaters, performed improv comedy, and worked in public relations. When not thinking up spooky tales, she likes to kayak, travel, and go to movies. She lives with her family near Chicago in an old house that is probably not haunted.

💻 VISIT Wendy Parris’s official website: https://www.wendyparris.com/

📖 READ Field of Screams: https://amzn.to/3MlW1PC

📚 CHECK OUT Wendy Parris’s Books: https://amzn.to/3ZthbhJ

🎧 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. 📖✨

#WendyParris #FieldofScreams #AuthorInterview #ChildrensBookAuthor #MiddleGradeBooks #WritingProcess #HowWritersWrite #WritingLife #AuthorLife #ReadingMatters #KidsBooks #ALiteralJourney #BookPodcast #sethadamsmith #horror #scarystories

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 – 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
🌐 Website: http://www.SethAdamSmith.com

Thank you for watching—and for being part of this journey!