Surprise! Two New Books in 2026
Choosing a favorite book is like choosing a favorite child
I expected a slow, contemplative summer.
I anticipated greeting the sunrise with black coffee, pen poised over my journal, and long afternoons full of fiction, sipping kombucha while the kids splash in the pool. And I will say that in those respects, summer has not disappointed. But, like a garden suddenly awash with color from unexpected wildflower seeds, summer surprised me with not one, but two books preparing to bloom.
Which brings me to a little announcement. Many of you know that my Screwtape-inspired book, The Bellbind Letters, is in the final stages of editing and will go to print in time for Lent next year. Here’s the surprise: I’m wrapping up a second book, completely unexpected, that will be published shortly after The Bellbind Letters.
After submitting half a dozen queries to my editor at OSV that just weren’t the right fit, a new book deal suddenly landed in my lap. An editor at Sophia Institute approached me with a book idea. It was nothing like anything I had been pitching, but it was too delightful to resist. We met on Holy Thursday, and by Easter Monday, I had a contract. What a whirlwind!
Inspired by Claire Swinarski’s recent reflections on which of her books was the hardest to write, I thought I’d share my own reflection on which of my books is my favorite. The trouble with that is this: choosing a favorite book is like choosing a favorite child.
I love them all fiercely, but each is so unique and unrepeatable. Some are spicier than others. Some births go more smoothly. Each is imbued with shiny loveliness as well as its own dark shadows.
Book #1 — Reclaiming Motherhood
Reclaiming Motherhood from a Culture Gone Mad is a theology of the body for motherhood in a biotech era. It married my deep passion for theology and bioethics, and executing it well required wading through piles of research and distilling timeless moral truths into digestible chapters, applying them to current culture. The labor was intense, but the reward sweet and satisfying.
Book #2 — The Bellbind Letters
Of course, taking on a demonic persona to search out temptation and highlight brightness through shadow was heavy, but paradoxically uplifting as a creative exercise. One gift of fiction is being able to hold up a mirror to our dark places and see our own reflections more clearly in the face of another. The Bellbind Letters flowed from my own experience and that of mothers close to me, and, like my unmedicated births, brought something beautiful and precious out of painful struggle.
Book #3 — Grow Where You’re Planted
This newest book—just a few thousand words from completion—reminds me of my fourth labor. The early work was almost effortless. But now, in the final push, I find myself stalled in transition. These final hours are the hardest. Though the publisher will ultimately select its title, for now, I am calling it Grow Where You’re Planted: Reclaiming Eden in Your Own Backyard.
It has been sheer joy to unveil prayerful meditations that have arisen amongst fragrant flowers and to combine that with hands-on instruction for cultivating seasonal abundance and tips for raising little gardeners. I can’t wait to share it with you!
What season of life are you in right now—germinating, blooming, or somewhere in between?
AMDG,
Samantha
Around the Web
A look at where my work has taken root lately—articles, interviews, and conversations in the wild world of the internet.
Articles and Essays:
At Public Discourse, I argue that the problem of egg freezing cannot be solved by safer methods or better policies. Beyond the physical and financial costs, there is a more insidious myth at work—one that speaks to our deepest assumptions about time, control, and what gives life meaning.
For CatholicMom.Com:
Audio:
I was privileged to record one of my pieces for CatholicMom.com’s new audio digest. I hope you’ll check it out and consider subscribing to their new feed!
Let’s Connect
Looking for a guest for an event or podcast?
I’m currently scheduling podcast interviews and speaking engagements to support the launch of both upcoming books. If you host a podcast, run a newsletter, or lead a women’s group, I’d love to connect. Whether it’s a thoughtful conversation or a virtual visit, let’s talk about how we can serve your audience together.
Books: Mama Prays | Reclaiming Motherhood from a Culture Gone Mad
Podcast: Brave New Us: Being Human in the Age of Biotechnology
Web: www.snstephenson.com