Meet Jenny Snow | Author & Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenny Snow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenny, how do you think about risk?
Oh, I love this question! Life is full of risks, and I am always weighing them. Stay home and be safe but maybe miss out? Or fully engage the adventure of life and try to make a difference? All the while knowing I might fall flat.

For me, knowing that God is with me (Psalm 145:18) gives me the confidence to go for whatever I feel peace in my heart about trying. I pray about it and check that my motive is love. I also consider the best and worst that could happen: Write some stories and see if a publisher wants to publish them? They could say no. Ignore me. But they could say yes.

Start The Book Club Life podcast and YouTube channel and ask my FAVORITE authors to let me interview them on my show? They could say no. Ignore me… But they could say yes.

And my most recent endeavor: Host a bookish Christmas night out and ask said authors to fly in and be my featured guests? They could have said no… but they said YES!

When weighing the risks of planning such an event, I wondered if book-lovers in DFW and beyond would want to come and buy tickets. I took the risk. And what do you think happened? They said yes!

As I write this, A Christmas for the Books is already over halfway sold out. But I bet there are still some tickets left when this interview goes live. So for all you book lovers out there wanting something fun to do in December, I hope you’ll check us out at www.jennysnow.net/Christmas2023 and see if this might be on the Christmas experience wish list for you.

We’ll have coffee and desserts with four bestselling authors, panel discussion and Q&A, games and prizes, book signing and selfies, and tons of fun. All at Inclusion Coffee in Arlington. You are invited to take the risk. 😉

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love writing for children and adults about life, friendship, and love. My work can be found in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Guideposts, magazines, and more. Last year, I made it my goal to finish my first full-length novel by the time I turned forty. I succeeded! My first chapter even won first prize at a writer’s conference. Yay! (Though I admit, the rest of the novel is not as polished as that first chapter and still needs some work.) I’m also working on another top-secret project that landed me my agent. I’m super excited about it, but I’m not released to say more quite yet.

One piece I can share is Sweet Sentiments, the first short story I had published by Family Fiction. It’s a cute little romance that involves a teacher, a community donut shop, and a surprising chance at love. You can read it for free when you subscribe to my newsletter at www.jennysnow.net/subscribe .

Another unique thing about me is my podcast and YouTube channel, The Book Club Life. When I’ve read a book I love, I reach out to the author and see if she or he will come on and discuss the themes and quotes in the book and how they relate to them in real life. I love getting to know the authors and learning about their life experiences and lessons learned.

A challenge I’ve faced is time. There is so much I would love to do! But only one life to live. So I’ve learned to enjoy what I can get to and make sure I’m enjoying my family and friends as well. Writing is a great thing. But it’s not the only thing.

What do I want the world to know about my brand? That I always want to offer the best I can. My own stories to make you laugh, smile, or sigh. And through my podcast, the stories of other authors that moved me deeply, were unputdownable, totally romantic, breathtaking, or inspiring. My goal is to do everything in love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First stop is Inclusion Coffee in Arlington. The atmosphere is amazing, and you’ve got to ask for the Good Book Latte. Hot or cold, it’s the perfect reading companion.

On the other side of town, I also love Joe’s in Watauga. A family owned diner that sells breakfast, lunch, and homemade pies. One of the few places left that doesn’t have a T.V. It’s so nice! And it seems like its own little community. I remember my first time visiting I saw a waitress giving an older gentleman a side hug and asking how he’d been. So sweet. My favorites there are the veggie omelet and coffee. Mmmmm….

I’ll also mention downtown Grapevine. It is so nice to walk around in the evening, especially at Christmas time. And you’ll definitely want to stop and eat at Main Street Bistro & Bakery.

Well, I see that I’ve offered three places to eat and get coffee! I guess you’ve found out my other love besides reading. ; )

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m blessed to have MANY encouragers in my life. My husband who from the beginning said, “not IF but WHEN you get published.” My parents who remind me to have fun. My kids who keep me laughing and cheer me on. My siblings and family who are the best. My church family for caring about me. My literary agent, Cynthia Ruchti, and the whole Books & Such Literary agency for believing in me.

My friend Christina Weeks for inviting me to her writer’s group all those years ago. LaWanda Bailey for telling me I had talent when I brought my first piece. Henry McLaughlin who offered his editing expertise out of the goodness of his heart when I first started, increasing my skill level and enabling me to get my first piece published.

My book club–for being my friends. The #bookstagram community for being the best ladies to room with at readers’ retreats. Christen Krumm–author extraordinaire and my virtual assistant. Tricia Goyer, Becky Wade, and Lynne Gentry: talented authors who have mentored me. The American Christian Fiction Writers community.

Laura Frantz–the first author I ever risked reaching out to who made me cry with her kind response. (And she’d already made me cry from her novels!) Jocelyn Green–the first author I ever had on my YouTube channel. Gabrielle Meyer– who welcomed me and made me feel at home at her writer/reader retreat. Julie Klassen. Erica Vetsch. Robin Jones Gunn. Colleen Coble. These authors have all encouraged me.

Last but not least, my closest friends Rachael, Christina, Kerry, Kayla, and Savanna. I can count on them and text for prayer at any time of day.

I could go on. Wow. I am so richly blessed.

Website: www.jennysnow.net

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennysnowauthor

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennysnowauthor

Youtube: www.youtube.com/TheBookClubLife

Other: www.jennysnow.net/Christmas2023 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-book-club-life/id1706155045