How to Write with a Wide Open Heart (and a Magical Cat) with Jill Santopolo

Jill Santopolo is an author, publisher, mother, and born storyteller. She gracefully weaves big moral questions, dilemmas, and choices into all of her books.

In this episode, T. A. and Jill illuminate their creative process in working together as author and editor. They discuss how to add layers of richness and depth into books. They share why stories make us feel less alone, how to see a place as a friend, and what guides us through the challenges of creating authentic worlds.

What does it mean to create something that is emotionally autobiographical? And what happens if you pat a magical Cat?

Tune in to find out.

About Jill Santopolo:

Jill Santopolo is the internationally best-selling author of Stars in an Italian Sky, Everything After, More Than Words, and The Light We Lost, which was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into 35 languages and have been named to the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Apple, and Indie Bound bestseller lists. She is also the author of the Alec Flint Mysteries, the Sparkle Spa series, and the Follow Your Heart books. Jill holds a BA from Columbia University, an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a certificate in Intellectual Property Law from NYU. She is the publisher of Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group and lives in Washington, DC and New York with her husband and daughter.

Check out Jill’s books The Light We Lost and Stars in an Italian Sky.

Magic & Mountains is hosted by T. A. Barron, beloved author of 32 books and counting. Carolyn Hunter is co-host.

Magic & Mountains Theme Song by Julian Peterson.