Believe to See

In tribute to Leslie Bustard, long-time friend of The Anselm Society and contributor to The Anselm Society's new book Why We Create, Christina, Mandy, and Evangeline discuss the chapter in Why We Create written by Leslie: "Gratitude: The Foundation of Human Creativity."

In this episode, our cardigan-clad director, Brian Brown, joins Christina to discuss the Anselm Society's new book, Why We Create. (The cardigan is an obvious tribute to Matt). In the subsequent conversation, they explore why we often have a hard time relating to the material world, explaining why non-"spiritual" vocations matter, and justifying our interest in beauty. They also tell you why you should buy Why We Create, right here, right now: https://www.anselmsociety.org/why-we-create-book. This episode kicks off an on-and-off series this fall in which we'll discuss themes from the book with some of the authors!

Matt chats with YA Author Autumn Krause, discussing her new book, the genre-switch from her previous books to her most recent book, and the challenges she faced on her new writing project. Find out more about Autumn's books at https://autumnkrause.com/books/

Matt chats with Natasha Kennedy, the illustrator for the FatCat (catechisms "fat with meaning") books. Catechism can seem to be an intimidating (or boring) word, but catechism can actually contain the entirety of the Christian story of creation, fall, and, redemption. Natasha talks about her experience bringing together catechism and art in a way that can be appreciated even by young kids. Learn more about the FatCat books at https://lexhampress.com/fatcat

Matt and Mandy sit down with author Carolyn Leiloglou to talk about her new book, Beneath a Starry Sky, which places Van Gogh's Starry Night within middle grade fiction and the novel's protagonists inside of Starry Sky. Learn more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynleiloglou.com/ (Pre) Order Beneath the Swirling Sky at https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Swirling-Sky-Carolyn-Leiloglou/dp/0593579542

Christina and Mandy sit down to talk with Nicole Stratton, Artistic Director of Logos Theater, discussing a biblical worldview of the dramatic arts and how the arts when taught as a part of God's nature can give hope and healing. Find out more about Logos Theatre at thelogostheatre.com

Matt and his wife Danielle sit down with children's author Danielle Hitchens about her new book, "Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year around Jesus." Danielle talks about the liturgical year and how this helps us orient or lives, family's lives, and children around Jesus. Learn more about Danielle Hitchens at https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/author/danielle-hitchen

Anyone who has ever published or tried to publish a book knows what "comps" are. Whenever you pitch a book, agents and publishers want to know what the "comparable books" are to your books. Many authors find identifying comps both stressful and annoying, and sometimes horrifying if you find that someone seems to have written the exact same book as your book. Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline discuss both the struggles of finding comps and discuss some possible redeeming qualities of comps.

Nicholas Kotar joins Matt at the Anselm Society digital pub table to discuss the origins of so many of the fairy tales and folk stories we know and love. But, the versions of the stories that we know are not necessarily the "original" versions of the stories. Nicholas harnesses his love for stories, and in particular his enviable knowledge of Russian fairy stories, to shed some light on the origins and significance of those tales. Find out more about Nicholas and his work at NicholasKotar.com.

Anyone who writes knows that "voice" is important—even essential. Writers may be said to have a strong voice, or a unique voice, but what, exactly, is "voice?" Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline try to define what "voice" is (and Evangeline claims that she's never read a book in her life).