Here I Write
I can do no other.
My conscience is held captive by the Word of God, the good of my neighbor, and the Oxford comma.
“I think I would rather feel that painting is beautiful than have to read it as an enigma.”
— Dorothea in George Eliot’s Middlemarch
At home
I have been tucking myself in my cozy writing room as early and as often as possible these days. Many words have been in need of logging on various pages for various deadlines, the most significant amount of words going toward Book 3 in The Creed series. By the grace of God, I was able to submit the completed manuscript to my publisher and editor on Wednesday, and my beta readers are settling in for a Thanksgiving read. + SDG +
As you can imagine, a fictional story based off of the Third Article of The Creed is complicated, for the article confesses a list of tenets rather than simply a Person. I took my time writing this one, as I wanted to craft the transitions from sentence to sentence, chapter to chapter with special care. This book completes a trilogy, and it also marks my exit from Whistle Grove. I want to get it right.
I have yet to feel the relief that accompanies completion — that often comes weeks after submission and at a time I’m least expecting — but my fingers and my brain feel the familiar twitchiness that comes with going from six-hour writing sessions every day to zero.
Many of you have been asking me, “What’s next?”
I in return have been asking many of you, “What do you think should come next? Do you want me to write more books?”
So far, the answers have been unanimous in sentiment if varied in content:
“As long as God gives you the ability and opportunity to write books, yes.”
“If your vocations make room for such laboring, yes.”
“Please, go back to Bradbury.”
“We need another Pew Sisters on our shelves.”
“Our children need more Lutheran fiction.”
“Please, write another book like He Remembers the Barren, but for singles.”
I am humbled and grateful that anyone would like to read more from me, but I am especially thankful that you want read my stories. For I write them in hopes that you will be encouraged and delighted. God be praised for His abundant mercy in giving His children good gifts, even the gift of words!
I have taken note of your requests, and I am devoting serious contemplation and prayer toward your expressed needs. I have begun multiple conversations with family, friends, colleagues, and publishers about what to write next, and I will do my best to keep you posted as decisions are made. In the meantime, will you please pray for me and every author attempting to tell and publish stories to God’s glory and in service to His people?
Two sisters in Christ, along with my mama and a napping baby, gave me their entire Monday afternoon this past week to read aloud to me Book 3 in The Creed series. These kinds of reading sessions are invaluable to me once I become overfamiliar with my own story.
On the road
I was blessed to sit with the fourth year seminary wives at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis earlier this month and discuss He Restores My Soul. I walked away from that discussion excited for the churches who will receive these wise women into fellowship, Lord willing, next summer.
A couple of days later, I manned the Kloria Publishing exhibit at the LEA Convocation and had the pleasure of meeting many of you!
Rounding out this fall’s travels (and marking my final scheduled presentation of 2025), I enjoyed visiting both the home and church of my dear daughter in the faith, Deac. Michelle Schultz. She served tea and all kinds of delicious treats to the women attending our Pew Sisters retreat, for when she was younger, I used to serve her tea in my home. (Cue the tears, and someone hand me a tissue!)
On the air
Thank you to Abigail Lorenzen of I Choose Life Radio for interviewing my husband and me about the upcoming Martin + Katie Conference in March of 2026!
You can listen to the interviews here: Part 1 and Part 2
Want to write with me?
I have had so much fun teaching Learn to Write from the Literary Greats through CCLE’s Institute for Classical Lutheran Education this fall, largely because my students are so engaging. The spring semester is fast approaching. Want write with me on Tuesdays, 6:00 PM Central starting on January 13? Find course and registration details here. Registration closes December 15.
Katie Schuermann is a baptized child of God, pastor’s wife, and author of The Saints of Whistle Grove; The Creed series, including The Big Father and His Little Boy and The Beloved Son and His Brother; the acclaimed Anthems of Zion fiction series, House of Living Stones, The Choir Immortal, and The Harvest Raise; and nonfiction favorites such as He Remembers the Barren, He Restores My Soul, and Pew Sisters. When not writing, Katie can be found making music, reading, cooking, gardening, holding babies, or trying to climb the nearest tree.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +
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Here I Write, Issue 37
Copyright © 2025 Katie Schuermann, All rights reserved.
Katie Schuermann 