Picture a West Virginia storyteller who spun tales of sword-wielding rabbits into a global sensation—meet S.D. Smith! This father of four has captured hearts with his million-selling Green Ember series, a middle-grade fantasy saga brimming with courage, hope, and moral depth. With a knack for crafting 'new stories with an old soul,' Smith’s work resonates with families craving adventure and virtue.
From his rural writing shed, dubbed The Forge, Smith weaves narratives that blend thrilling quests with timeless lessons, earning comparisons to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. His devout Christian faith and love for classic literature shape his stories, making them a beacon of light in a world hungry for meaningful tales.
The Making of S.D. Smith
Born Samuel Dale Smith on February 11, 1977, in Huntington, West Virginia, S.D. Smith grew up surrounded by the rolling hills of Appalachia. A middle child in a family of six, he spent his youth playing soccer and devouring books like The Chronicles of Narnia. His time in South Africa and the Caribbean broadened his perspective, but West Virginia remained his heart’s home. It was on a porch in Grandview, storytelling for his young daughter, that the seeds of The Green Ember were planted—sparked by the sight of rabbits hopping in his yard.
Smith’s writing career began organically, fueled by bedtime stories for his kids. Initially a side hustle, his passion for storytelling led him to co-found Story Warren, a publishing house dedicated to fostering imagination in families. By 2017, the success of his books allowed him to write full-time, a leap of faith that paid off as his readership soared.
S.D. Smith’s Unforgettable Stories
The Green Ember series, starting with its 2014 debut, is Smith’s crown jewel. This four-book saga, plus companion trilogies, follows rabbit siblings Heather and Picket Longtreader as they battle tyrants like Morbin Blackhawk in the land of Natalia. With over a million copies sold, the series has topped Audible’s audiobook charts, lauded for its noblebright fantasy and themes of loyalty, bravery, and hope.
Beyond rabbits, Smith’s versatility shines in works like Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key, a 1980s-set fantasy co-authored with his son, J.C. Smith, blending Tolkien-esque adventure with Spielberg-like nostalgia. His humorous Mooses with Bazookas offers quirky tales for younger readers, while The Found Boys explores forgiveness in a heartfelt coming-of-age story. Smith’s style—vivid, accessible, and morally rich—appeals to all ages, earning praise for its 'dangerous' tales that challenge darkness with light.
His stories aren’t just entertainment; they’re a call to virtue. Drawing from his Christian worldview, Smith crafts narratives that echo Narnia’s spiritual depth without preaching, making them universal yet profound. Fans adore the series’ cliffhangers and memorable lines like, 'My place beside you, my blood for yours, till the Green Ember rises.'
Why S.D. Smith Matters
S.D. Smith’s impact transcends book sales. His stories have inspired a generation of young readers to embrace courage and creativity, with families worldwide sharing his tales as bedtime staples. His commitment to West Virginia shines through in community efforts, like donating The Green Ember to every fifth grader in the state, fostering a love for reading and storytelling.
As a co-founder of Story Warren, Smith champions imagination as a tool for growth, speaking at events to encourage parents and kids to see themselves as characters in a grand story. His work, nominated for awards like World Magazine’s Children’s Book of the Year, continues to shape the landscape of middle-grade fantasy, proving that stories can be both thrilling and good.
- Born: February 11, 1977, Huntington, West Virginia
- Key Works: The Green Ember, Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key, Mooses with Bazookas, The Found Boys
- Notable Achievement: The Green Ember topped Audible’s global audiobook charts
- Fun Fact: Smith’s writing shed is called The Forge, where he crafts his epic tales
Snag The Green Ember and dive into S.D. Smith’s thrilling world of #RabbitsWithSwords! Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, his stories promise adventure, laughter, and a spark of hope.