1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

In fifth grade, my cousins and I sat in the back of my dad’s station wagon on the way to a birthday party. Throughout the entire drive, I told this story called “The Bunny Burglars” that I came up with on the spot. Telling stories in a compelling fashion has always come so easily to me, I took it for granted. 

I wrote my first novel in 2006 in a spiral notebook. My marriage was struggling at the time and writing provided a healthy coping mechanism. I did end up typing that one out, but it’s still unpublished. Maybe one day. 

The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak, a true story, releases January 1,2026, which was a huge undertaking. I’m excited to step back into fiction this year.

2) What inspired you to write your book? 

I write stories for fun. I would rather write a book than read one. I’d rather write a book than watch TV. I love crafting stories. What I often tell people is, “I wanted to write quality fiction that I wasn’t embarrassed for my daughters to read.” As a mom, I know there are a ton of parents out there who feel the same way. A few months ago, Dressed in Love Press picked up my romantic suspense series. My debut novel, The Lakeshore’s Secret comes out in March 2026. 

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book? 

The core message of The Lakehouse 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Romantic suspense? I love a good Hallmark movie, first of all, and I have fun writing my characters into seemingly impossible situations and then trying to figure out how to get them out. 

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d sit down with Grandma Millie and write down hers stories as she told them to me. I believe the older generations are walking around with buried treasure of life experience, wisdom, and stories in their memories. 

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership? 

Reels that depict excerpts of the book are gaining momentum on Instagram and Tiktok. I haven’t tried this strategy much yet, but if you follow me @SETschritter, we can see how viewers respond together. My social media is a constant work-in-progress. 

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Don’t quit. The ones who make it are the ones who don’t quit. Do at least one thing to promote yourself every single day.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’ve hired a voice actress to record an audio version of The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak and I’m pretty excited to write books two and three of The Lakeshore Mysteries. 

AND NOW THE AUTHOR’S ANSWERS FOR THEIR NON-FICTION WORK

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing? 

On accident. I wasn’t paying attention. In third grade, teachers announced a poetry contest. I whipped up a poem in five minutes, submitted it, and won first place at district. Much later in life, when I had several books available for sale, friends told me ‘normal people don’t write books for fun.’ That’s when I discovered I was an author. The first version of Love Letters to Miscarriage Moms actually started out as journal entries I wrote while I processed the grief of my first infant loss experience. At first, I had no intention of writing a book. But after facing that loneliness and not being able to find great content on the subject, I adjusted the writing style and turned my journal entries into a book. The tag was “You are not alone. Written in the midst of my grief so you will not be alone in yours.” 

2) What inspired you to write your book?

My late husband asked me to write his story. He asked, “What are the chances I’d be married to an author whose best work comes from wounds?” Phew. Glad that one’s written. The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak was not cathartic. I tell people who’ve read the Harry Potter series that The Prodigal’s Son is my horcrux. Writing the story required me to dive into a very dark place that cost pieces of my soul. But for the sake of the people whose lives will change from reading that one, I would do it all again.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

You are worthy of love. You are not beyond redemption. Here’s part of the back cover copy: From gutter to pulpit to ditch to grace to grave, The Prodigal’s Son speaks volumes of a God who crawls into the darkest corners of humanity and redeems those who believe they aren’t worth saving.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

There are a lot of people who battle shame who need to hear this story. I feel like there’s a lot of conservative Christian content and I’m seeing more liberal content, but there’s a huge group unrepresented in the middle. This story features two Christians who are vulnerably honest about their sin. Clint with his addiction battles and me with my self-righteous judgement. Here’s my target audience for The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak. I nicknamed the audience Paul Simon, a moniker for The Prodigal’s Son:

Paul Simon is anyone who has ever uttered the words, “I am a piece of shit.” He believes he isn’t good enough, or suspects he might not be, and measures himself against an intangible line of his own creation. Coping with the Good Enough Demon presents itself differently. Paul might be an addict, an over-eater, a workaholic, a fitness fanatic, a mom over-involved in extracurriculars, a rights activist, or a couch potato who binges Hulu at the end of an exhausting workday. 

Paul considers himself a Christian but confesses this with hesitancy. Church is reminiscent of the past, a long-lost friend he no longer feels connected to. Something about church makes Paul skittish —a church wound, skepticism of theology, disappointment regarding the church’s relevance to his daily life, or frustration toward the hypocrites and fakes he sees sitting in the pews. 

Paul is both male and female, approximately ages late 20’s to early 60’s, and spends most of his social media time on Tiktok, Youtube, or Instagram. He resonates with edgy, authentic influencers such as Kevin Lawson, John B. Christ, and possibly Kelly K Ministries, who intermix their faith into the hilarious stories they share. 

Paul listens to trending artists such as Jelly Roll, Brantly Gilbert, Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson, who sing about overcoming addictions and trials. Jelly Roll songs such as “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and “Winning Streak” cause Paul to miss church, while Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” reminds him why he left.  

He might be single, or married with children. Either way, Paul won’t waste time with disingenuous relationships. Trust comes hard for Paul because too many people have disappointed him. He craves more fulfillment in his life but doesn’t possess the energy or the knowledge to change. Paul knows there’s more to life than he sees and wishes there was more to God than the church suggests. 

5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership? 

Honestly? TikTok. I had one reel go viral and gained 21K followers from that reel, which translated into preorder sales. My newsletter numbers nearly tripled. But I think I’m an anomaly. 

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

You have to want it. Really want it. 82% of Americans say they want to write a book. Less than 3 percent actually do. And only about 1% actually publish a book. And then actually selling books? Marketing? Chop that 1% by another fraction. So, if you really want it, and you’re part of that 1%, here is my best advice:

1.) Attend a writers conference
2.) Promote yourself at least once/ day
3.) Don’t quit

About the Author

Multi-award-winning author Sam. E. Tschritter (pronounced Shridder) specializes in articulating grief and loss, leading grievers toward hope and healing. Whether poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, Tschritter writes content that will stick with readers long after they close the cover. Her 20-plus years of leadership experience and contributions to over 40 books enable her to serve others, speaking truth with transparency, humor, and love. Tschritter grew up in Chicagoland and has also lived in Minnesota and Oregon, granting her widespread views of people all over the country. She currently resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina with her husband, their three teen and preteen daughters, cats named Pitter and Patter, and their Siberian husky whom she lost the vote to name Onomatopoeia. Nothing refreshes Tschritter’s soul like gardening. She gardens to work through plot holes, writer’s block, character development, and book ideas. Tschritter spends a great deal of time gardening. Read more at https://loveunedited.com or Linktr.ee/LoveSamEvans.