In this heartfelt conversation, author Twyla Smith takes us back to 1925 Texas to uncover the secrets behind her debut novel, The Moonshine’s Wife. We talk about the grit and grace of her protagonist, Birdie Fontenot, the haunting inspiration behind the story, and how tragedy and redemption shaped both the characters and Twyla’s own writing journey. Join us as we explore the power of place, the echoes of family legacy, and the timeless strength of women who refuse to be silenced.

“This book didn’t come from a place of confidence — it came from a need to prove something to myself. To see if I could really do it. And then, once I started writing, the characters wouldn’t let me stop.”

— JC Fuller, on writing Safe to Assume