Hey everyone,
Ian Tan here, lead editor and project coordinator of UnCensored Ink: A Banned Book Inspired Anthology, set to release this October 29. Here is the UnCensored Ink interview series to introduce you all to the incredible writers, as well as the local bookstores and libraries that gave them safe creative spaces. Hopefully you can put these incredible places on your to-visit list, and feel inspired to support your own local bookstore, library and indie authors.
Today I am with S. E. Reed. She writes strange, haunting, real stories of people and places along old highways. Winner of the 2024 Florida Book Awards and the 2024 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People.Additionally, she’s been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won honorable mention twice in L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest.
Her short stories have been featured by The Writer’s Workout, SEMO Press, Parhelion Lit, The Writers’ Co-op, Wild Ink Publishing, Hey Hey Books, and Tempered Rune’s Press.
1. You’ve written a fine piece for UnCensored Ink: A Banned Book Inspired Anthology. Can you give us a synopsis? How did the idea for this piece come about?
Thank you! Sure thing! So my story, Swamp Religion, is set in the Florida Everglades during the Great Depression at a religious tent revival. Christian Evangelism was rampant during the late 1920’s and 30’s, as people were desperate to find meaning and hope when they’d lost everything. I’ve always been fascinated with this time period, and thought to explore the zealous nature of it in conjunction with banning books, also exploring how time repeats itself. What was happening a hundred years ago is eerily familiar to today.
2. Now, we would love to know you more! What do you enjoy doing in your free time, what is your favorite book quote, and how did you get into reading and writing?
To be honest, I spend most of my free time reading and writing or watching interesting shows on TV. One of my guilty pleasure shows is Survivor, so I’m anxiously awaiting for the new season to start. I think my favorite book quote is from J.R.R. Tolkien, the Riddle of Strider, specifically the line, ‘not all those who wander are lost.’ I actually use that quote in my novel, My Heart is Hurting.
3. Do you have a favorite local library or bookstore? Also can you remember bookstores and libraries from your childhood, if they are not the same as the ones now?
I love all libraries and bookstores!! I search them out wherever I go. But, one of my favorite finds are books at antique stores. As a child I loved collecting vintage first edition Bobbsey Twins books by Laura Lee Hope. Interesting fact, Laura Lee Hope was a pseudonym for a group of authors that wrote the series created by Edward Stratemeyer. Stratemeyer also wrote the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and sold over 500 million books (yes, really).
4. Tell us more about this bookstore/library. What do you love most about it?
Well, I just love all bookstores and libraries as I mentioned above. So I don’t have any one specifically to share. I’ve lived in 8 states across the U.S. and been to many, many bookstores and libraries. I will say, as a teenager, I was fortunate enough to go on a school trip to England. This was back in the late 90’s. And when I was there, I fell in love with Hatchards bookshop on Piccadilly, which is the oldest bookseller in London.
5. What do you have to say on the importance of sustaining bookstores and libraries?
I’ve always found bookstores and libraries places to spend time, not just to walk in, quickly conduct the business of finding what I want and leaving. Generally, they are warm and cozy and inviting, staffed by other bibliophiles. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in libraries. While studying at college, or using the computers, or researching history, or listening to author chats. In my opinion, the loss of physical spaces for books would be a tragedy and we should do everything in our power to maintain them.
6. Do you have any projects that your current and future readers can look forward to?
Yes, well, I have three books out now that readers can purchase. And upcoming, I have five novels set to release during ‘25 and ‘26. My books can be found anywhere books are sold online, or you can request a copy at your local library.
7. Lastly, what platforms can we find you? (Social media and websites are all encouraged, this is to highlight and champion you guys)
My website is www.writingwithreed.com and I’m on X @writingwithreed
Well, that’s S. E. Reed, everyone! We have one last author to meet before we head out of Florida and the East Coast, and this one is responsible for coming up with the idea for the anthology, so I’m pumped! Stay tuned!
Wild Ink Publishing 