Welcome to the Story Impact Podcast! How does the mind of a school principal—someone charged with leading a community and shaping its vision—approach the creation of an entirely new world?

Today, host Lisa Towles connects with Steve Guglich, a veteran educator, school principal, and the author of the expansive epic fantasy saga, Piercing the Veil. This conversation is a deep dive into creative discipline, author branding, and the entrepreneurial journey of launching an independent publishing house.

Steve’s work is grounded in "noble-bright" fantasy fiction, exploring a world where magic has been hidden for 4,000 years. He offers a refreshing, hopeful alternative to modern dark fantasy, proving that "clean fiction" can deliver high stakes and deep emotional resonance.

In this episode, we explore:

• The "Santa Claus" Gene: How Steve’s connection with his students inspired the "mysterious gift" possessed by his protagonist.

• Executive Discipline: Strategic advice on finding "quiet hours" to write a 600-page novel while leading a school as a full-time principal.

• The Business of Publishing: Why Steve chose the entrepreneurial route, founding his own publishing company to maintain creative control and brand integrity.

• Global World-Building: The research and vision required to ground a magical narrative across locations like New York City and Tokyo.

• Noble-Bright Fiction: Why the market is hungry for hopeful, clean storytelling that addresses contemporary themes like loss and wonder.

Whether you are a reader looking for your next epic escape or an aspiring author seeking market intelligence on platform building and visibility, this episode provides the roadmap for turning a creative vision into a published reality.

Listen & Connect:

• Learn more about Steve Guglich and The Veil Saga: https://stevenguglich.com/

• Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uliovexMKl8?si=5zJO0KsZ-lX7Uxrv

• Explore Story Impact Consulting for book coaching and brand strategy: https://storyimpactconsulting.com

• Read Story Impact Magazine: Discover our quarterly digital publication at https://storyimpactconsulting.com

About Your Host: The Story Impact Podcast is hosted by Lisa Towles—Communications Director, award-winning crime novelist, and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today’s most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories...hold the world together.