Step into the glittering world of 1920s New York and the intimate corners of a first-grade classroom in this deeply personal Literary Lines episode. Host GiGi Meier sits down with Elaine Sprawn, whose extraordinary journey from 40-year teacher to historical novelist will leave you inspired.

Elaine's writing career blossomed unexpectedly when she transformed her grandparents' real-life Jazz Age romance—including her grandfather Bill Corum, the sports journalist who coined the phrase "Run for the Roses"—into the sweeping love story Kiddie & the Major. But her literary path took a poignant turn with Strokewaves, her raw memoir of resilience after personal tragedy.

Between tales of tracking down speakeasies for research and her upcoming spring bookfair circuit, Elaine reflects on how forty years of teaching first-graders prepared her to write across genres. Listeners will be captivated by her insights on bridging generations through story, the bittersweet process of fictionalizing family history, and where she’d time-travel if given one magical year.

For anyone who believes it’s too late to start a new chapter, Elaine’s story—like the enduring love between Kitty and the Major—proves the most compelling narratives often unfold when we least expect them.

Website:

https://www.offandrunningpublications.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/strawnec/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

Money meets mindfulness in this illuminating Literary Lines episode featuring financial guru Mick Heyman, author of Mellow Your Money: How to Surf the Market and Build Wealth without Stressing Yourself Out. With forty years of wealth management wisdom as founder of Heyman Investment Counseling, Mick reveals how to grow your portfolio while shrinking your anxiety.

Discover why this devotee of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky writes about dollars with a novelist's flair, how to identify your investor personality type, and which historical market patterns everyone should know. Mick shares his surprisingly literary approach to finance, including an impromptu book idea sparked live during our conversation!

From practical advice for college students to why he genuinely enjoys portfolio management (yes, really!), this discussion proves financial wellness isn't about getting rich quick—it's about staying sane while building lasting security. Don't miss Mick's visionary answer to where he'd be if granted one stress-free year of magic—it might just change how you view your own financial journey.

Website:

https://mellowyourmoney.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mellowyourmoney/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

Prepare for liftoff as Literary Lines host GiGi Meier beams into the fascinating universe of John Newton - electrical engineer by day, sci-fi author by night, and farmer, father of five, and YouTube creator in between. This April 10th episode delivers an interstellar conversation with the mind behind Avar-Trek Short Stories and The Shadows of Time series, whose unique blend of history, theology, and futuristic speculation has earned him a devoted following.

Discover how John transforms farm life in rural America into cosmic adventures, why he deliberately plants Easter eggs throughout his work, and what electrical engineering teaches him about story structure. He'll share the secrets behind his thriving YouTube channel, where he hosts live discussions dissecting sci-fi's biggest philosophical questions with viewers around the globe.

From traditional publishing insights to his ambitious audiobook plans, from parenting to programming, John reveals how he manages this staggering creative output while staying grounded in family and faith. Aspiring authors won't want to miss his practical advice, nor his visionary answer to where he'd transport himself if granted one sci-fi-style wish for 2026.

Whether you're a die-hard sci-fi fan, a busy creator seeking productivity hacks, or simply curious how someone writes space operas between milking cows, this episode proves ordinary lives can generate extraordinary stories.

Website:

https://newtonscifi.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@NewtonSciFi

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2