Sarah Heatwole, Author
Sneak Peak of
Into the Promised Land
back-cover blurb!
Growing up in the shadow of the Great Depression, Andy Troyer longs for more than the hunger and hardship plaguing his family. When his father becomes a minister, their prospects improve, but Andy’s restless spirit still yearns for something beyond the bounds of his Amish community.
In a neighboring district, tragedy shatters Sylvia’s sheltered world. In the depths of grief, a vivid dream leads her to an encounter with Jesus that changes the course of her life.
When Andy and Sylvia’s paths cross, they discover a shared longing and love that deepens as they embrace a new faith together. But following Jesus means jeopardizing the security of family and community, forcing them to choose between clinging to tradition or risking everything to answer His call.
Inspired by a true story, Into the Promised Land is a timeless tale of love and loss, courage and forgiveness, and the life-changing power of God’s redeeming grace.
COMING SOON - FEBRUARY 3, 2026
KP - In November 2024, I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Heatwole at the ScrivCon writing conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Her bubbly personality and deep love for her family, God, and creative writing left a lasting impression on me. When I learned that Sarah’s first book, Into the Promised Land, was soon to be published, I knew I had to interview her about the inspiration behind her story and her writing process. Welcome, Sarah Heatwole.
About Sarah’s Book
KP - What inspired you to write this book, and how did the idea first take shape?
SH - One of my life goals has always been to write a book. This goal centered on the desire to leave something tangible behind —a piece of history for my ancestors, and what better way than the written word. I had no timeline of when I would accomplish this goal, just wanted to in my lifetime. During Covid, I took up reading as a way of escape. In 2022, I saw advertised The Southern Festival of Books. The festival looked like something I’d enjoy, and one of my favorite authors, Sean Deitrich, was attending, so I took a Saturday and ventured up into Nashville to the library. I sat in many sessions, hearing award winning authors talk about their craft, and was so inspired. Immediately I began thinking of plot ideas for a book of my own. Maybe a collection of short stories from my time working in senior living? What about a novel centered on the pressure of being a woman in the workplace? None of it seemed right until my Grandpa and Grandma’s story came to mind. Their story was legendary in my family— a young couple who left the Amish and were shunned for the rest of their lives for following Jesus, but did I really know the story? Turns out there was a lot I didn’t know, but through research and interviews, I was able to compile their complete story arc. I wanted it to read as a novel, to be accessible to a wider audience, so I added dialogue and personality to the characters and now feel as if I know my own family in a deeply personal way. After I started writing in 2023, it took two years and seven drafts to polish it to what it is today. I’m blessed to have the book picked up by Masthof Press, and it’s due to be launched into the world on February 3rd, 2026.
KP - Which part of the book was the most challenging to write, and why?
SH - The beginning! Why are beginnings so challenging? The first chapter has received more edits than any of the other chapters. By the time I would get through a draft and start back at the beginning again, I’d have learned so much about the craft that a lot needed to be changed again.
KP - Do you have a favorite scene, passage, or character in this work?
SH - So many favorites! The entire book consists of scenes my Grandpa recorded in oral interviews, and from handwritten pages by my Grandma. Many times, there are years between chapters as the book encompasses most of their lives. I loved the idea of darting in and out of their lives and capturing the most important and memorable scenes. Isn’t that what we do in our own lives? Condense them down to a few key moments? Why are those moments key? Because they are big and often change the trajectory of the rest of our lives.
Some of my favorite scenes I enjoyed writing are Grandpa’s first solo trip into town (chapter 5). While in town he becomes fascinated with a baseball game on the radio. I loved writing this scene because Grandpa loved baseball for the rest of his life and often be sat on the back porch listening to the game. Another favorite to write was Grandma’s dream she had of Jesus at sixteen years old. It is well documented that many people all over the world have found Jesus because to vivid dreams—it never occurred to me how transformational this was for her until I read her handwritten notes. Then of course their salvation moments—I couldn’t help but cry while writing those. How gracious and faithful the Lord has been to our family.
KP - What do you hope readers will carry with them after finishing your book?
SH - Foremost, for the unbeliever, my prayer is that readers will come to know Jesus. I hope they can see how Jesus can heal a myriad of wounds. I want them to understand that Jesus doesn’t take away our hurt, but he helps us walk through it and that this life is only a stepping-stone into what really matters, eternity. For the believer, I want them to carry away that the biggest impact you can have on the kingdom of God is with your own children and family. Grandma and Grandpa cut those generational ties of unbelief and raised six children who follow Jesus to this day. Many of them served as missionaries and have led countless people to the Lord. I am a product of their faithfulness and now have the responsibility of passing down faith in Jesus to my children. What an eternal impact!
Writing Process & Craft
KP - Please describe your writing process. Do you outline extensively (plotter) or discover as you go (pantser)?
SH - I love this question because I enjoy learning about how other writers write. I am still a work in progress, and the writing process is constantly evolving for me. When I started writing Into the Promised Land, I wrote an outline for each chapter. At the time, I knew nothing about the art of plot, and the first draft had many mistakes, but that is what first drafts are for, right? After attending Scrivcon writers conference, I realized the importance of plot. I needed to go back and correct a lot of what I had written. As I am working on my next WIP, I have found that I enjoy having an extensive outline, making sure I hit all the plot points— external and interiority, but leave room for magic and surprise during the drafting process. These moments of surprise mostly come within the dialogue for me.
KP - Do you follow a daily writing routine? If so, what does it look like?
SH - I am an early bird, normally waking up at 5:30 or 6 and writing for around an hour before anyone else gets up—then it’s all about getting going with the rest of the day. I also try to write for an hour or two in the evening during the week and longer blocks on weekend mornings. During my writing times, I will draft, edit, update my website, respond to emails, and work on marketing efforts. It’s hard to keep up with it all. During the month of October, I am going to take a break to focus on family events and will spend very limited time on writing endeavors. It’s important to slow down and enjoy other things in life as well. I told myself, if I ever start dreading writing, then it’s not for me anymore. So far, the problem has been an obsession, not a dread. Sometimes you need to just find that balance again in life.
Looking Ahead
KP - Are you already working on your next project? If so, can you share a glimpse?
SH - Absolutely. They say to write what you are obsessed with. I am obsessed with completely transformed lives. I think it’s natural human curiosity to figure people out. Look at our scrolling habits—many times I click on reels where people have lost 100-plus pounds or started with nothing and created a million-dollar company. One of the pop culture figures I follow closely is Jelly Roll. The way he has 180’d his life is inspirational. All this obsession culminated in an article I read about Carey Dean Moore a death row inmate who found Jesus and spent his last days leading inmates to the Lord. In my research, I read about another death row inmate who desired a spiritual advisor. He tried for a long time to get a clergy member to agree, but no one wanted to take on the job. An idea sprang to life: what if I wrote a story about the pastor who reluctantly agrees to be a spiritual advisor to an inmate on death row? What if the transformation isn’t about the inmate but the pastor? Next, I had to figure out the external story—what would keep a reader interested? Here is what I came up with! I’m halfway done and am having so much fun writing it!
In the summer of 1978, in Deep South Mississippi, Mennonite pastor Edgar Stoltzfus discovers a parishioner lying shot in the parking lot after a prayer meeting.
Ten years later, the crime continues to haunt him, when the wife of the convicted killer asks him to serve as a spiritual advisor to her husband on death row. With his loyalties torn between church members, the victims left behind, and his budding friendship with a man condemned to die, Edgar throws himself into the fight to save his new friend’s life, risking his ministry and his heart.
Set against a looming execution, with a fiery attorney and wise mother guiding him, Edgar unravels the mystery of that fateful night while discovering God’s mercy and forgiveness is for everyone, including himself.
KP - What kind of stories do you hope to keep telling?
SH - I asked myself this exact question this summer, and here is what I came up with. Stories anchored in sacred truths. I enjoy writing about the hard questions of faith, and situations that make you pause and think. I love history—so envision many of my future books set in history but am also open to contemporary settings as well. When I close the cover of a good book I am impacted by the characters or theme. I want to write books that bring dialogue to the hard questions and forever change the way people think about difficult topics.
In closing, the best advice I can give to those who desire to write is to surround yourself with a community. Find a local writer’s group who will provide friendship and critique. Community has been vital to my development. Without the support and friendships, I formed in CHARIS (my local writers group) and conferences, I don’t think I would of ever made it to the end of Into the Promised Land.
Learn More About Sarah
For more information, please visit Sarah’s website.