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

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

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

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

“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

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

📚 READ other Books by Mary Averling: https://amzn.to/4wvEiHF

🎧 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. 📖✨

#MaryAverling #reading #middlegradebooks #kidlit #authorinterview #booksforkids #childrensbooks #writingjourney #bookrecommendations #penguinbooks

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

📖 READ The Whisper of Stars: https://amzn.to/4f80dyf

🎥 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. 📖✨

#CristinWilliams #AuthorInterview #HistoricalFantasy #FantasyBooks #WritersLife #RussianHistory #RussianRevolution

“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/

📖 READ My Fair Godmother (Janette Rallison): https://amzn.to/4sIWnPr

📖 READ The Slayers Series (C. J. Hill): https://amzn.to/41Gt0SJ

📚 CHECK OUT Janette Rallison's other books: https://amzn.to/4tmJhIO

🎧 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. 📖✨

#JanetteRallison #CJHill #ALiteralJourney #AuthorInterview #yaromance #fantasy #romcom