Featured Interview With Stacey Hettes

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania. Your New York and New Jersey readers may have heard of Lake Wallenpaupack. If they ever got gas or had a cleaning at Mountain Bay Marina, I was likely the one filling their tank and polishing their boat. From there, I spent seven years in graduate school in southern California before making my way to Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 2003 to join the faculty of Wofford College, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts college established in 1854. If Wofford sounds familiar, it’s likely because alumnus Craig Melvin, class of ’01 and co-anchor of the TODAY show, often mentions us during the broadcast. Life in upstate SC has been good to me. The cost of living is low and the yards are big, which is good for both me and my pair of rescue pups, Chili and Pepper.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I wrote my first book in first grade. I remember having to ask my teacher, Mrs. Evins, how to spell ‘clerk.’ The characters, whose names I’ve forgotten, were going to the store, and there was some dialogue with the checkout woman. Do you remember those tablets of newsprint-quality paper with the red and blue guidelines? I wrote (and illustrated) it in pencil on that. Sadly, it did not stand the test of time, having literally disintegrated in my parents’ attic. During that year, fourth graders came to our class once a week to read us a book after recess. Somehow, I got it in my head that I would rather be the one reading than listening. Toward the end of the year, as the smell of fresh cut grass wafted through open windows, Mrs. Evins let me read. I chose a book about imagination starring Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.
I let writing become a bit oppressive, as I did with so much of my formal education. School taught me there was a right way to do it, which did not come naturally, unlike other subjects and skills. I focused on approximating the right way until I discovered writing as narrative therapy. Writing for scientific literature is a chore for me. There is no room for wonder, awe, or self-reflection, all of which I hope readers will come to find in my memoir.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Once I began writing in earnest, I realized I needed to go back to class. Just because memoir offers room for expansive prose, or perhaps because it does, first-time authors need to learn as much about reigning it in as letting it flow. Flatiron Writers Room in Asheville, NC, and Hub City Writers Project in Spartanburg allowed me to connect with faculty who are exceptional writers in their own right, including Tessa Fontaine, Katey Schultz, Anna Sutton, and Latria Graham. Tessa suggested we read Melissa Febos, whose craft book, BODY WORK, particularly her essay, IN PRAISE OF NAVEL GAZING, is directly responsible for DISPATCHES making its way into the world. If you are open to audiobooks, get BODY WORK on audio. Melissa narrates this essay in such a way that it feels like she is speaking directly and only to you. She does more than permit us to write. She mandates that we do.
As a reader, I need the proper genres for my moods and energy levels. I am, for the most part, a serious and inquisitive person, so I’ve been a non-fiction fan for a long time. Books, fiction or non, by authors who speak to the human condition from a place of deep searching and deep reflection, such as Lori Gottlieb, Bonnie Garmus, Parker Palmer, and Joan Chittister, are the stories I find myself reaching for again and again.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I wrote this book so others might feel less isolated and alone in facing whatever they’d walled themselves behind for whatever reason— shame, grief, pain, confusion, despair, burnout.

I am, in heart, soul, and mind, a teacher. Once I understood writing as a new type of teaching challenge, I couldn’t stop. I didn’t stop. When I commit to work in the service of my students, I see it through. The challenge became to identify who these new “students” might be. As soon as I posed the question, I knew who they were. They were me—mid-career women who barely managed to keep all the balls in the air before a major setback knocked the wind out of them.

Teachers often profess that they learn more from their students than their students learn from them. After twenty years in college classrooms, I can testify that this is often the case. However, writing as a new way of teaching was . . . is . . . different.

Like so many of us find ourselves at some point, I was hanging on by a thread. I was confused and desperate. One hour a week with my therapist wasn’t cutting it. Despite her offers for more time, I didn’t think I deserved it. This may be too much information or horribly cliché, but I began writing to spend more time with my therapist by proxy. To focus my attention on the voice she was becoming in my head.

Once I realized the potential these early efforts held, I interrogated the words, paragraphs, and chapters that were evolving to find their story arc. I knew this was an essential step to communicate the lessons writing was teaching me. Only then did I imagine that what was developing would become a book. A book that might help others like me to feel less alone.

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Featured Interview With Hillary Dunkley-Campbell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am Hillary Dunkley-Campbell, a passionate ambassador for Jesus Christ, a devoted wife, and a loving mother living in Toronto, Canada. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, I am a bestselling author of four impactful books—“I Am Encouraged,” “What Is Stopping You?,” “Speak the Word,” and “Jesus Saves: The Free Gift of Salvation.” Through my writing, I inspire countless readers to embrace their faith and overcome life’s challenges.

As a Christian Life Coach and Kingdom Empowerment speaker, I help women and youths to unlock their potential and live purposeful lives, free from fear and doubt. As the founder of Hillary Encourages, a voice of encouragement to the nations, uplifting hearts and guiding people toward hope and transformation through Christ. My guiding mantra, “I Can, I Shall, I Will,” is deeply rooted in Philippians 4:13, which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I do not have any pets.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a child, I had a profound love for reading that fueled my imagination. I was particularly fascinated by fiction, finding joy in the captivating worlds of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series. These stories transported me away from my reality, allowing my imagination to flourish during my formative years.

It was during a mind renewal course that I was inspired to write my first book. I was given the directive to write a letter to myself, and from that exercise emerged my debut work, “I Am Encouraged.” This 30-day devotional is crafted with self-declarations and affirmations designed to help readers overcome challenges and encourage themselves through the transformative power of God’s Word. Writing this book was not just a creative outlet; it became a way for me to channel my experiences and insights into a resource that empowers others. Through “I Am Encouraged,” I aim to uplift and inspire readers, guiding them to recognize their own strength and purpose in Christ.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have a deep passion for reading books that focus on mind renewal and self-empowerment. Some of my favorite authors, like Dr. Myles Munroe, John C. Maxwell, Joyce Meyer, and Leostone Morrison, greatly inspire me with their messages about self-worth and positive thinking.

My own writing is driven by a desire to encourage others to believe in God and themselves. Influenced by authors like Dr. Munroe, I aim to uplift my readers and help them realize their potential. Through my work, I strive to instill confidence and inspire individuals to embrace their true identity and purpose.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled “What Is Stopping You?” In it, I delve into crucial topics such as doubt, fear, sin, and discouragement—some of the significant barriers that hold us back. I address these challenges head-on and provide practical strategies to overcome them. My goal is to equip readers with the tools they need to break free from these limitations, empowering them to move forward with confidence and purpose. Through this book, I hope to inspire individuals to identify what’s stopping them and to take actionable steps toward achieving their dreams.

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Featured Interview With Gillian Wills

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in London. I'm a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and I play classical piano and guitar. When I left the UK for Australia I became the Dean of Music at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne. Now, I'm an arts writer and an author. I love animals and especially horses. My memoir Elvis and Me: howa world-weary musician and a broken racehorse rescued each other, Find was published in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and the UK. My debut novel Big Music, Hawkeye Publishing was published in October, 2024.
As an arts journalist I have published with The Australian, Courier Mail, Townsville Bulletin, Limelight, Griffith Review, Australian Book Review, Australian Arts Review, ClassikON, InDaily, Artist Profile, Good Reading and Australian Stage Online.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started journalism in my fifties. I have always wanted to write creatively. Elvis and Me was published when I was 64!
The first publisher I approached wrote back an hour later and told me they loved the book could I please send the manuscript.
Trouble was I hadn't yet written one.
Big Music took longer to get into print because publishers thought not many would want to read about the music industry.
But you know it's a fascinating setting for the human condition such colourful, larger-than-life, turbulent characters and tough politics and curly scenarios. I'm finding general readers and musicians are loving Big Music.
It did take a while to write I definitely was a victim of second book syndrome for sure. Hate to say it but it took six years!
I got to love the musicians especially Winton the trumpeter, Elvira, the pianist and Georgy a brilliant student pianist except she will only play in bare feet.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoy memoir, mystery, crime, ghost stories, adventure and travel narratives, novels set in small towns, novels with performing arts themes and speculative fiction.

Kristina Olsson, Camille Booker, Jennifer Scoullar, Rachel Johns, Willie Vlautin, Jessica Tu, Jane Harper, Karen Viggers, Blanche d'Alpuget, Pamela Cook, Penelope Janu, Anna Funder, Gail Jones, Fiona McDonald, Alice Hoffman

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Melody, mayhem and mystery drives this character driven, triumph-over-adversity contemporary fiction brushed with romance and Beethoven's ghost and set in a music college which trains music performers.
Beatrice, Beat is the heroine in this coming of age story. Suddenly at the age of 35 she is appointed director of a rundown music college. She is determined to restore its reputation despite squabbling rock and classical musicians, poor facilities, a nightmare supervisor, lack of space and a predatory university. Despite all the positive achievements, no-one praises her and she gets into strife with authority figures. Her husband is not supportive and she finds herself between a rock and a hard place. Her comfort stems from her two horses Bolt and Storm and the wildlife on her acreage property on the edge of Brisbane, Queensland. About to give up help comes from an unexpected quarter.
There's a playlist called Big Music available on Spotify.
Big Music was featured as a notable book in the Weekend Australian in December, 2024.

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