Imagine a future where paper is treasure, stories arrive in seconds, and the cliff notes are all you ever get. That uneasy thrill sparked Frank L. Cole’s The Legend of the Last Library—and it’s the thread we pull on as we dig into speed, meaning, and the quiet power of reading the long way. Frank shares how an impatient moment with AirPods became a full-on dystopia, why the rewrite that nearly broke him made the book sing, and how a single found novel rewires his heroine’s life in a world that’s forgotten what reading feels like.

We get personal and practical. Frank traces his path from early scares and school visits to a career shaped by persistence, hundreds of rejections, and a community that opened doors. He owns his pantser process—messy, intuitive, and sometimes maddening—and explains how recording voice notes, reading chapters aloud, and letting characters breathe keep the spark alive. We also revisit Potion Masters and Champion’s Quest, exploring research, real-world ingredients, and the kind of cover art that pulls kids into a universe at first glance.

Most of all, we talk about connection. How teachers and librarians help kids find gateway books. How reading out loud turns stories into family rituals. How a single thank-you at a signing can redefine success more than any sales target. Frank’s themes—friendship, courage, embracing the weird—show up on every page he writes, offering a gentle counterspell to shortcuts and algorithms. If you’ve ever wondered what we lose when stories come too fast, this conversation makes the case for slowing down, turning pages, and letting a book change you.

If this resonates, follow and share the show, leave a quick review, and tell us: what book hit different when you read it slowly? Subscribe for more author deep dives and craft conversations.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or book lover, this conversation will leave you inspired to open a book and embark on your own “literal journey.”

📚 READ The Legend of the Last Library: https://amzn.to/48Cs9pb
👀 CHECK OUT Frank L. Cole's other books: https://amzn.to/4iBjc45
🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A Literal Journey: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

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My name is Seth Adam Smith. I’m a husband, father, and author who believes in the power of stories to inspire people forward.

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

What makes a good story—and what keeps a writer going after years of rejection?

In this episode of "A Literal Journey," host Seth Adam Smith sits down with J.D. Peabody, author of "The Inkwell Chronicles," to explore the deeper themes behind his beloved series. Together, they discuss the influence of C.S. Lewis, the role of faith and belief in storytelling, and the long road to publication—one that took J.D. five years and many rejections to finally bring his manuscript to life.

Through humor, honesty, and heart, J.D. shares what he’s learned about perseverance, creativity, and what truly makes a story great.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or book lover, this conversation will leave you inspired to open a book and embark on your own “literal journey.”

📚 READ The Inkwell Chronicles: https://amzn.to/47d1D4U
🌐 FOLLOW J.D. Peabody: https://www.jdpeabody.com/
🎧 LISTEN to more author interviews: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

#JDPeabody #InkwellChronicles #AuthorInterview #Author #Reading #Parenting #Books #Literacy #ALiteralJourney #SethAdamSmith

In this FUN and inspiring episode of "A Literal Journey," host Seth Adam Smith sits down with New York Times bestselling author Liesl Shurtliff, celebrated for her reimagined fairy tales: Rump, Jack, Red, and Grump. In this interview, Liesl shares the story behind her beloved books, the moment that sparked her writing journey, and her path to publication. Throughout the episode, Liesl talks about the power of storytelling to shape imagination, character, and family culture—and shares how parents can help their children fall in love with reading.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or book lover, this conversation will leave you inspired to open a book and embark on your own “literal journey.”

📚 READ Liesl’s books: https://amzn.to/4n68QcX

🎧 LISTEN to more episodes of A Literal Journey: https://aliteraljourney.buzzsprout.com/

#LieslShurtliff #Rump #FairyTales #Reading #Parenting #Books #Literacy #AuthorInterview #ALiteralJourney #SethAdamSmith

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

In this episode of A Literal Journey, host Seth Adam Smith sits down with authors Chad Morris and Shelly Brown for a heartfelt and practical conversation about the power of stories, the literacy crisis in America, and what parents can do to inspire a lifelong love of reading in their children.

From their own books and experiences as writers, educators, and parents, Chad and Shelly share wisdom on why stories matter, how books shape young minds, and practical strategies families can use at home to nurture readers. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or storyteller, this episode will leave you with actionable tools and a renewed belief in the importance of story.

📖 READ Mustaches for Maddie HERE: https://amzn.to/4nMRdzS

📖 READ Chad Morris's Books HERE: https://amzn.to/4nipSWo

📖 READ Shelly Brown's Books HERE: https://amzn.to/46vqIb4

#ChadMorris #ShellyBrown #Authors #ALiteralJourney #ChildrensBooks #YAauthors

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to "A Literal Journey" for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

Thank you for watching, and we hope you enjoy this insightful conversation with Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. Happy reading! 📚🎉

In this episode, Carolyn Leiloglou shares insights from her series The Restorationists, the journey of her unforgettable characters, and the deeper themes that run through the series. During the interview, Carolyn talks about the challenges and joys of writing for young readers, the role of art and creativity in her work, and what’s next on her literary horizon.

Don’t miss this exclusive interview filled with behind-the-scenes stories, writing advice, and a heartfelt look at what makes The Restorationists Series such a captivating read for readers of all ages!

📖 READ The Restorationists Series HERE: https://amzn.to/4mgI7Kx

📚 EXPLORE Carolyn Leiloglou’s other books HERE: https://amzn.to/46n80T2

📢 FOLLOW Carolyn: https://www.carolynleiloglou.com

#CarolynLeiloglou #TheRestorationists #AuthorInterview #BookLovers #MiddleGradeBooks

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to A Literal Journey for more exclusive author interviews, book recommendations, and literary discussions. 📖✨

Thank you for watching, and we hope you enjoy this insightful conversation with Carolyn Leiloglou. Happy reading! 📚🎉