Shelia Stovall is an author, speaker, and the Director of a small-town library in southern Kentucky. She writes heartwarming, uplifting stories of hope that tug on readers’ heartstrings. Her novels address difficult topics, but she uses a combination of sensitivity, grace, and humor to keep readers engaged while her characters overcome and leave readers feeling hopeful for a better future.
Her first Weldon novel, Every Window Filled with Light, won the 2022 Angel Book Award in the contemporary women’s fiction category and was a double finalist for the Selah award. Her second Weldon novel, Every Day Filled with Hope, was a finalist for the Selah award and the Carol award in 2023.
Shelia and her husband, Michael, live on a farm, and she enjoys taking daily rambles to the creek with their four dogs. Spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, is her all-time favorite thing. The only hobby Shelia loves more than reading uplifting stories of hope is writing them.
Visit Shelia Stovall online
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Every Life Filled with Purpose
Welcome to Weldon, Kentucky, where no one can keep a secret forever. Imagine discovering a place where the locals treat you with warmth and welcome you like family. Carson Williams finds such a place when he visits his deceased mother’s hometown of Weldon. The atmosphere in the community creates a deep yearning in Carson, and he thinks Kentucky is the perfect place for a new beginning. Carson hopes the country life will lead to his emotional healing from PTSD. While Carson is having lunch at the local diner with Sparky Compton, a young doctor who’s captured his heart, Virginia Willoughby collapses. Sparky springs into action, but Carson struggles to maintain control of his emotions. Mrs. Willoughby’s daughter, Emma Baker, arrives, and the magnetic pull of Emma’s gaze confuses Carson. She reminds him of someone, but who? Later, Emma wonders why she can’t stop thinking about the mysterious stranger when her heart belongs to pastor Luke Davis. But there are secrets in the small town—and they will impact both Carson and Emma.
- ISBN: B0F2GQ988T
- Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
Interview with Shelia Stovall 2025
When did you feel called to become an author?
In 2010, while participating in a Bible study, I was instructed to meditate on the question, “What does God want you to do that you don’t want to do?” When God asked me to write a story of forgiveness, I felt completely inadequate, but I learned when God gives you an impossible task, he provides you with the resources to help you. There are so many people who have aided me on this journey that I’d never be able to mention everyone. I finished my first novel on 12/12/12, however it was a long road to publication. Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. published my first novel, Every Window Filled with Light, on 4/2/2021. Early on, my developmental editor told me that I was a gifted storyteller, but I needed to learn how to become a writer. I listened to her and started studying the craft of writing by reading books, blogs, joining ACFW, and attending writers’ conferences.
What did you learn while writing this book?
The theme of Every Life Filled with Purpose is forgiveness. I learned I still have work to do in this area. Also, I pondered the title for hours wondering if perhaps it’s time to retire from my job as the Director of a small-town library so that I can spend more time writing stories that might draw readers to Jesus. Meeting readers who tell me my stories have impacted their lives has made me realize writing might be the best way I can glorify God. I named my make-believe town Weldon as a reminder to myself as to why I write. The only reason I write is because I long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant,” when I meet my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What is the toughest part of writing in your genre?
My books address difficult topics such as drug addiction, foster care, gambling, PTSD, and grief, however I try to balance the heart-wrenching moments with humor and grace. One moment the reader might be wiping a tear and in the next scene laughing. Reviews from readers indicate I’ve managed to handle sensitive topics with grace. I never share too much of the gritty details as I want to protect my gentle reader, however I want to take the reader on a journey of emotional healing.
If someone were to look at your Google search history (all for research of course!), what types of things would we find?
If you Google my name, you’ll find my home page first. I usually share information about new releases in Christian Fiction each month. Sometimes, I write a small devotional. If you find my Facebook page, you’ll learn that I love promoting other Christian authors and you’ll see pictures of me and my family on our farm in Kentucky or at the beach in Dauphin Island, Alabama where my sister and I own a beach house together.
If you could have coffee with an author, dead or alive, whose work you admire, who would that be? What would you ask him or her?
Hands down, Jan Karon. I planned to visit North Carolina last year and attend a writer’s conference just to meet her. Sadly, I couldn’t make the event due to hurricane Helene and the flooding. A few readers have compared my Weldon Series to her Mitford Series. Any comparison to Mitford makes my hand fly to my chest. It would be impossible to give me a higher compliment, but there’s only one Mitford. I love that readers see similarities. Both series include a pastor’s church life in a small community, foster care, and gossip. However, my pastor Luke Davis is younger while Father Tim has much more experience.
If I had the chance to sit with Ms. Karon, I’d ask her if she plots her stories or if she flies by the seat of her pants. I’d long to be able to plot a story, but that just doesn’t work for me. When I’m writing, it’s as if someone is telling me a story, and I’m as surprised as the reader when there’s a plot twist.
What’s your go-to drink while writing?
Peppermint tea. I love coffee, however my doctor recommended I give up coffee due to a sensitive digestive system. I’m drinking a fresh cup of peppermint tea as I write this.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
To spend time with the Lord first thing every morning no matter how busy my schedule. I’ve learned that quiet time with God syncs my heart with His heart and that helps me prioritize how to spend my time. I write very early in the morning, but I can’t write anything worth reading without His help and guidance.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
Reading, watching home decorating shows, travel shows, and PBS. I take rambles twice a day with my dogs on our farm. During the summer, we visit the creek daily.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Grave Decision by Debra DePree Williams, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann Gabhart, Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin, and The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry.
What can we look forward to next?
I’m writing my fourth Weldon novel featuring Pastor Luke, Emma and Harley, and I’ve started a new series set in Fairhope, Alabama.
In 2010, while participating in a Bible study, I was instructed to meditate on the question, “What does God want you to do that you don’t want to do?” When God asked me to write a story of forgiveness, I felt completely inadequate, but I learned when God gives you an impossible task, he provides you with the resources to help you. There are so many people who have aided me on this journey that I’d never be able to mention everyone. I finished my first novel on 12/12/12, however it was a long road to publication. Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. published my first novel, Every Window Filled with Light, on 4/2/2021. Early on, my developmental editor told me that I was a gifted storyteller, but I needed to learn how to become a writer. I listened to her and started studying the craft of writing by reading books, blogs, joining ACFW, and attending writers’ conferences.
What did you learn while writing this book?
The theme of Every Life Filled with Purpose is forgiveness. I learned I still have work to do in this area. Also, I pondered the title for hours wondering if perhaps it’s time to retire from my job as the Director of a small-town library so that I can spend more time writing stories that might draw readers to Jesus. Meeting readers who tell me my stories have impacted their lives has made me realize writing might be the best way I can glorify God. I named my make-believe town Weldon as a reminder to myself as to why I write. The only reason I write is because I long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant,” when I meet my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What is the toughest part of writing in your genre?
My books address difficult topics such as drug addiction, foster care, gambling, PTSD, and grief, however I try to balance the heart-wrenching moments with humor and grace. One moment the reader might be wiping a tear and in the next scene laughing. Reviews from readers indicate I’ve managed to handle sensitive topics with grace. I never share too much of the gritty details as I want to protect my gentle reader, however I want to take the reader on a journey of emotional healing.
If someone were to look at your Google search history (all for research of course!), what types of things would we find?
If you Google my name, you’ll find my home page first. I usually share information about new releases in Christian Fiction each month. Sometimes, I write a small devotional. If you find my Facebook page, you’ll learn that I love promoting other Christian authors and you’ll see pictures of me and my family on our farm in Kentucky or at the beach in Dauphin Island, Alabama where my sister and I own a beach house together.
If you could have coffee with an author, dead or alive, whose work you admire, who would that be? What would you ask him or her?
Hands down, Jan Karon. I planned to visit North Carolina last year and attend a writer’s conference just to meet her. Sadly, I couldn’t make the event due to hurricane Helene and the flooding. A few readers have compared my Weldon Series to her Mitford Series. Any comparison to Mitford makes my hand fly to my chest. It would be impossible to give me a higher compliment, but there’s only one Mitford. I love that readers see similarities. Both series include a pastor’s church life in a small community, foster care, and gossip. However, my pastor Luke Davis is younger while Father Tim has much more experience.
If I had the chance to sit with Ms. Karon, I’d ask her if she plots her stories or if she flies by the seat of her pants. I’d long to be able to plot a story, but that just doesn’t work for me. When I’m writing, it’s as if someone is telling me a story, and I’m as surprised as the reader when there’s a plot twist.
What’s your go-to drink while writing?
Peppermint tea. I love coffee, however my doctor recommended I give up coffee due to a sensitive digestive system. I’m drinking a fresh cup of peppermint tea as I write this.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
To spend time with the Lord first thing every morning no matter how busy my schedule. I’ve learned that quiet time with God syncs my heart with His heart and that helps me prioritize how to spend my time. I write very early in the morning, but I can’t write anything worth reading without His help and guidance.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
Reading, watching home decorating shows, travel shows, and PBS. I take rambles twice a day with my dogs on our farm. During the summer, we visit the creek daily.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Grave Decision by Debra DePree Williams, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann Gabhart, Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin, and The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry.
What can we look forward to next?
I’m writing my fourth Weldon novel featuring Pastor Luke, Emma and Harley, and I’ve started a new series set in Fairhope, Alabama.
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