S. D. Smith
S. D. Smith is an author, a lover of chocolate chip cookies, and a founder of Story Warren. Sam was born and raised in West Virginia, lived in South Africa as a teenager, and returned to West Virginia for his (so-far) extensive adulthood. Sam and his beloved wife, Gina, have four children, two of whom have embarked on adulthood themselves. It was at their home in the Appalachian hills where he told his children many stories, including some featuring heroic rabbits with swords. These later became the Green Ember Series, a now-popular work of moral imagination that has delighted millions around the globe. Sam is a devoted Christian, a lifelong Mountaineer fan, and an enthusiast of sports, books, and humorous things.
Josiah Smith
Josiah Smith is the CEO of Story Warren and Longtreader Games, leading creative teams that serve the many kids and families inspired by The Green Ember and other projects. With a vision to welcome more families into soul-shaping, memory-making, darkness-shaking adventures, he’s guiding the series’ growth across books, games, and beyond. He lives in West Virginia with his wife and four children, and while he dreams of one day playing soccer for Liverpool, he’s far more likely to keep coaching from the sidelines.
Andrew Mackay
Andrew Mackay is the Publisher for Story Warren books. He has loved books since he was a small child, and he is still happiest when he’s on his front porch reading a book. When he’s not doing that, he can be found driving forklifts, laying out books, fighting with software, or managing a live stream. Andrew lives with his wife, children, and two dogs (and nobody needs two dogs), across the lane from Sam in Grandview, WV. He loves butter tarts, hugs, and smoked meat. He bets he can make better brisket than you can.
Natalie Morell
Natalie Morell is the Marketing and Communications Manager here at Story Warren. She’s passionate about inviting families to experience the beauty of a good story—and discover their place in The Story. Natalie lives in Wisconsin with her police officer husband and three kids, where they’re slowly renovating their 120-year-old home and delighting in these good ol’ days. She’s a lover of tea, singing, travel, and rearranging the furniture. When she’s not make-believing with her kids, fielding snack requests, or troubleshooting sourdough, she’s telling stories.
Zach Franzen
Zach Franzen is an Illustrator and Marketing Strategist at Story Warren and Longtreader Games, where he helps shape both the art and messaging behind The Green Ember universe. He’s contributed covers and illustrations for eleven books in the series—now working full-time on the twelfth as the team expands into video games. He lives in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina with his wife and four daughters. He occasionally enjoys a hokey adventure serial.
Kelly Keller
Kelly Keller is the Managing Editor of Story Warren. The “gap” in her resume is a window of eighteen years of homeschooling, which she recommends as an effective, though demanding, way of expanding one’s home library. When she’s not behind her laptop, Kelly enjoys live music, baseball, reading great books, and traveling with her husband, David. Kelly hails from beautiful, snowy New England, but after nearly two decades in North Carolina, she feels right at home. Things she can discuss at length include the Bible, the Inklings, feeding a large family, the greatness of dogs, and the 2004 ALCS Red Sox comeback against the Yankees.
