An Interview with the author of A Pocketful of Seeds

For the Nativity I ordered a bundle of A Pocketful of Seeds for parents at our church. It is not a surprise to anyone who owns the children's book that they quite enjoyed them. Below is my interview with the popular author and blogger, Sylvia Leontaritis. I should also mention that there is a book giveaway on her blog Adventures of an Orthodox Mom here.

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1. What prompted you to write this book?

The idea for A Pocketful of Seeds came to me while we were on a road trip. My children were sleeping peacefully in the backseat and my husband was lost in his own thoughts, so my mind began stirring with story ideas.

We had recently had the blessing of venerating the relics of Elder Joseph the Hesychast, a very holy elder whom I have a very deep love for. I wanted so badly to write a story about him that would glorify his life and struggles for God. I prayed that he would plant a seed in my heart that it would blossom forth into that story.

Indeed a story sprouted during that 5-hour trek on I-95. Although the story is not about his life or works, I believe that Papouli undeniably sowed that seed in my heart and that it truly does glorify his works.


2. The illustrations are wonderful. How did you find the illustrator? What sort of collaboration was there on matching the illustrations to the text?

This book really came together through the grace of God. Around the time I had finished the text, I saw a message posted on OrthodoXCircle asking if anyone needed any illustration work done. I responded to the message and it turned out the person looking for work lived near St. Anthony’s monastery and has a very close relationship with the Elder Ephraim’s monasteries here in the States.

Considering the metaphor for the seeds in the book this turned out perfectly. She immediately understood the deeper meaning behind the story and she is responsible for the entire design of the illustrations. She knew exactly how to tell “the story behind the story” in a way that both children and adults would enjoy.

She is a very talented artist who was trained while still living in Russia. She is also the artist behind Talanton Press. It is her wish that her name not be revealed and so I will not say too much more about her specifically but I highly encourage everyone to check out her website. She has recently released 3 activity books for Orthodox children on Feasts of the Church, Creative Writing for Beginners and Learning about Vestments. These are phenomenal resources for homeschoolers or anyone interested in teaching their children about the church at home.


3. Were there any surprises in the process of writing or getting the book published?

Not really. The book sort of just came together perfectly. It was a very tedious project, especially since the illustrator and I worked so closely on the project and we live in two different states, but again God really had His hand in this because it all worked out so perfectly.

I did debate on whether or not to submit the story to a traditional Orthodox publisher but worried that the story would not be as accurately depicted if done by someone who perhaps has never visited one of the monasteries in the book. That’s when “by chance” I came into contact with Dane Petersen of Double Eagle Industries (the company who also publishes all of Conciliar Press’s materials). We began chatting about how he converted to Orthodoxy through Fr. Seraphim Rose and the love he has for Orthodox children’s book. It also happened that he published my illustrator’s first book What is an Icon? So he was willing to work with both of us and publish the book under his direction. Thus, Panagia Press was created.

It was a long road and I learned so very much about the publishing business in the process. I don’t know that I will ever publish a book myself again but this book would not have fit my vision for it had I done otherwise. I am working on a couple other projects that I plan on submitting to a traditional Orthodox publisher in, hopefully, the near future.


4. The story begins in a land beset upon by war. What area and time were you thinking of when you wrote about that?

I wasn’t really thinking of a specific land or war in the story. My thoughts were on more of a spiritual battle that goes on within all of us. A battle that is constantly putting us at a crossroad. A battle that, for me, included choosing where my home really was. This is a little personal but I will share it to help readers understand a little bit more about the story.

About six years ago my husband and I decided to leave “home” and move closer to the monasteries here in Florida. That was a very difficult decision considering my family held two things as most important in life: faith and family. Leaving family, when there were churches everywhere, was hard for them to understand. And for many people a move like ours really isn’t necessary but for us it was. I am the type of person who is easily distracted in the world and I really felt this move was necessary for my spiritual growth. Like the boy in the story, I came to realize that no matter how far away my family might be they were always close to me in my heart. Some people can live next door to their family and never understand this. Home is where the heart is.

So in some ways, I compared the boy’s feelings to my own. In another part of the story the boy grows angry with the merchants and just wants to give up and leave that place. I often feel like giving up during my trials and like he did in the story, I rely on the advice of our many holy fathers to push me through.


5. When I read this story to my children I immediately thought about planting a small garden with the children of our parish. Have you heard any feedback about families sowing seeds in their neighborhoods or churches as a result of the book?

That is so funny that you asked this question! I did receive an email from a priest in Pennsylvania who told me after he read the story to the children of his parish they asked if they could grow a garden and feed the poor with their gatherings. I thought that was so beautiful!

Other than that I have not heard anything but I love the idea. Now, you have my wheels turning…


6. With the success of this book will we be seeing a new children's book from you in the near future?

God-willing. I am working on two different books right now. One is another picture book set in the city of Constantinople and the other is more of a middle-grade novel. As I mentioned earlier, I plan to submit them to a traditional Orthodox publisher and we’ll see what happens!


7. Where should people go online if they want to order copies for themselves or their parish bookstore?

A Pocketful of Seeds can be ordered directly from my author site. It can also be ordered from Orthodox Christian Children and Light and Life Publishing along with several other websites. It is in numerous church bookstores as well.

It is also in the process of being translated into Greek and will be available through Potamitis Publishing.


8. Thanks so much for your time! As a parting question, can you speak
a little about your 'Adventures of an Orthodox Mom' blog and the many
things you do on there (e.g. prosphora baking, the pen-pal program,
your domestic church how-to projects)?

My blog has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I have met the most incredible people through it and many special bonds have been built. I try to keep it fun and down to earth. I don’t overthink my posts the way I do my writing, I just let my fingers click away with whatever thoughts I have. I love my readers and I love sharing both the good and not-so-good moments of my life. I think it’s very important for Orthodox moms to have a sort of support system. It’s tough to raise children right in a world gone wrong all by ourselves! My blog gives me the support I need and hopefully gives a little back too. It all goes full circle.

I have thoughts on expanding it into a full site soon, possibly more of a magazine style layout with the different categories easier to navigate through and then my personal thoughts (or blog posts) on their own page but the jury is still out on that one.

People can learn more about the Orthodox Kid’s Pen Pal program (which now has over 800 children signed up) here.

My “Athonite style” prosphora baking is my blessing and obligation to Christ and is something that I love to do. More details on that are here.

Through the prayers of our holy Elder Joseph the Hesychast…Amen.