This week in The Literary Lounge, author Grace Helena Walz discusses her latest novel, Pretty as a Peach, a Southern-set story about a group of lifelong friends whose relationships are put to the test when a suspicious multi-level marketing cosmetics company sweeps through their small Georgia town.

Grace and Jennifer explore the complexities of family and friendship, what it means to be a Southern woman, and why the South continues to inspire Grace’s storytelling. Grace also shares the remarkable story behind her path to publication, including the rejections that nearly made her walk away, and the perseverance that ultimately led to her first book deal. It’s a conversation anyone pursuing a creative dream needs to hear.

In This Episode

• The inspiration behind Pretty as a Peach
• The culture of multi-level marketing companies
• Lifelong friendships, found family, and belonging
• Family expectations, secrets, and complicated relationships
• Why the South continues to inspire Grace’s storytelling
• Writing Southern women with grace and grit
• Finding the joy of writing during early motherhood
• The rejections that led to her first “yes”
• Balancing motherhood and a writing career
• What living a creative life means to Grace

Meet Grace Helena Walz

Grace Helena Walz is a former social worker who writes heartfelt book club fiction with Southern settings and characters you'll want as friends. Her titles include Southern by Design and Good Hair Days. Grace resides outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two children and writes in the moments between driving carpool and making grocery lists. Pretty as a Peach is her third novel.

Connect with Grace

Instagram: @gracehelenabooks

Website: www.gracehelenawalz.com

Purchase a copy of Pretty as a Peach

Books & Authors Mentioned

Dorothea Benton Frank

Southern By Design by Grace Helena Walz

Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz

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The Literary Lounge

Follow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation.

Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:

• The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
• The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
• Recommended reads
• Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates

Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co

Jennifer Cash

Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge

Instagram: @readwithjennifer

In the first episode of The Literary Lounge, author Jen Shoop discusses her debut book, Small Wonders: A Field Guide to Life’s Quiet Joys, a beautifully curated collection of essays, musings, and poetry that celebrates the art of paying attention to the everyday moments that make life meaningful.

Jen and Jennifer explore Jen’s journey from childhood writer to published author, how her beloved literary lifestyle blog, Magpie by Jen Shoop, evolved from a passion project into a full-time career, and why vulnerability, curiosity, and resilience are essential ingredients of a creative life. They also discuss the ups and downs of navigating the middle chapters of life, the rituals that shape Jen’s writing process, the books she’s been loving lately, and her advice for aspiring writers learning to trust their own creative path.

This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that inspiration often begins by simply paying attention and that the road to success is rarely linear.

In This Episode

• The inspiration behind Small Wonders
• Why “attention is a form of love”
• How Jen’s early careers shaped her writing
• From passion project to full-time career
• Connecting with readers through vulnerability
• Jen’s path to becoming a published author
• ‘Shaking hands with a blank page’
• Navigating life’s middle chapters
• The books Jen’s recommending
• What living a creative life means to Jen

Meet Jen Shoop

Jen is the founder and author of the daily literary lifestyle blog, Magpie by Jen Shoop. She recently published her first book, SMALL WONDERS: A FIELD GUIDE TO LIFE’S QUIET JOYS, a collection of essays, musings, and poetry on the art of paying attention. Jen holds an advanced degree in literature from Georgetown University and has enjoyed a varied career in non-profit management, technology, and product design. Jen is an adoring wife to her husband, Landon (also styled as Mr. Magpie on her blog), and a loving mother to two young children. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland.

Connect with Jen

Blog: https://magpiebyjenshoop.com/

Instagram: @magpiebyjenshoop

Purchase a copy of Small Wonders

Books & Authors Mentioned

• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
• U.A. Fanthorpe
• Owls and Other Fantasies by Mary Oliver
• Anne Lamott
• The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century Poetry, edited by Rita Dove
• Mythology by Edith Hamilton
• Whistler by Ann Patchett
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
• Strangers by Belle Burden
• Kin by Tayari Jones
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

STAY CONNECTED

The Literary Lounge

Follow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation.

Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:

• The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
• The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
• Recommended reads
• Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates

Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co

Jennifer Cash

Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge

Instagram: @readwithjennifer

Welcome to The Literary Lounge, a literary podcast designed to feel like a modern literary salon where readers and writers gather over a shared love of story.

Host Jennifer Cash invites you into a cozy corner of the literary world where meaningful conversations take center stage.

Each week, hear thoughtful conversations with authors, booksellers, publishing professionals, and other special guests about books, writing, creativity, publishing, and the stories behind the stories.

Whether you’re a reader, an aspiring author, or simply believe that books make life more beautiful, The Literary Lounge is a place to discover new voices, celebrate the written word, and connect with the people who bring books into the hands of readers.

Follow now to hear new episodes of ‘The Literary Lounge’ every week.

STAY CONNECTED

The Literary Lounge

Follow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation.

Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:

• The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
• The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
• Recommended reads
• Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates

Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co

Jennifer Cash

Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge

Instagram: @readwithjennifer