Subscribe to Historical Bookworm Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | Email | RSS | Subscribe to the Historical Bookworm
In this episode we had the pleasure of conversing with Jill Eileen Smith, an esteemed best-selling author known for her biblical novels. Jill has enthralled readers with her series on the Wives of King David and is now set to release a new novel, Dawn of Grace, which navigates through the life of Mary Magdalene, slated for release in February 2025.
Highlights from the Interview
A Writer’s Process: Jill shared her meticulous process of researching and crafting her novels. She uses tools like Scrivener to create detailed character profiles and often spends significant time researching biblical texts to enrich her narratives.
Exploring Biblical Narratives: Smith provides an insightful discourse on how historical and religious interpretations have shaped perceptions of biblical figures like Mary Magdalene, emphasizing the importance of grounded biblical storytelling.
Historical Depth in Fiction: The discussion transitioned into how historical events, such as Jewish feasts, significantly influence her storytelling, helping readers to understand Jesus’s presence and actions within those cultural contexts better.
Mary Magdalene’s Story: Jill’s upcoming book focuses on demonic possession and Mary Magdalene’s subsequent deliverance, navigating themes of darkness and light, faith, and redemption. She candidly shared the challenges and delicate nature of depicting these themes.
More from Jill Eileen Smith
Jill also discussed her extensive journey in writing biblically inspired novels. Starting with Old Testament figures, she felt compelled to explore the New Testament, with Mary Magdalene as her latest intriguing subject. As she delves into such stories, she also provides insights for readers who might be reluctant to engage with heavy topics like demon possession, reassuring them about the transformative narrative of deliverance and faith that follows.
Upcoming Works
While her current focus remains on “Dawn of Grace,” Jill is also working on stories from the New Testament, with the Woman at the Well setting the stage for future novels. She acknowledges the difficulty yet profound growth in exploring these tales and is excited about the impact her stories can have.
About the Author
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of many biblical novels including her first series The Wives of King David.
After twenty years of closed doors, she has published 24 books, fiction and nonfiction, and had one of those books optioned for film. She loves Jesus and His Word and all things related to learning more about the culture and times of the people of the Bible, particularly the women, whom God has immortalized there.
While she loves writing and researching, she is willingly interrupted by her west-coast children and adorable grandchildren. Traveling to Israel was a highlight of her life, but traveling west is her new favorite vacation location. When she’s not packing her bags, she can be found reading stories that take her away, playing too many games and puzzles on her phone (call it down time), or snuggling her lovable, mischievous cats Kody and Kaelee.
Her favorite verse is Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” She has been married to the love of her life for 47 years and counting and lives in a quiet neighborhood in southeast Michigan.
Connect with Jill Eileen Smith: Newsletter, Facebook, X, and Instagram.