“Three Paths to the Page”: An Interview with SOUTH Magazine

This past summer during the rollout of The Sacraments of Blackgum Lake (Lethe Press), I had the opportunity to share a few thoughts with Amanda Stevenson-Holmes for her South magazine story, “Three Paths to the Page.” Our discussion dipped into my experience as an educator, but mainly focused on the tension between “day-job” obligations and artistic endeavors—how “friction fosters fiction.” Pick up a copy of the fall, 2026 installment of South at various locations on the southside of Indy, or read more here.

“Beneath the Surface” of BLACKGUM LAKE: a Conversation with Ryan Trares of the Daily Journal

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.