I’m grateful to senior reporter and columnist, Ryan Trares, for providing his platform with the Daily Journal to share our discussion about my recently-released novella, The Sacraments of Blackgum Lake. “Smith has channeled his imagination into a new novel. The Sacraments of Blackgum Lake weaves together dark and foreboding waters, personal struggles and the legend of John Dillinger into a compelling page-turner.”

Read the full interview in the Friday June 19, 2026 edition of the Daily Journal.