“Growing up in Nashville taught me that storytelling lives in every corner—music, movies, books—and that creative spark never leaves you.” — Adam Rosenbaum

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing middle grade stories but felt your background didn’t “fit,” this episode will inspire you to leap. On THE STORYTELLER’S SHELF PODCAST, we sit down with Nashville native Adam Rosenbaum, the screenwriter-turned-author behind the debut middle grade novel The Ghost Rules—a funny, heartfelt, and slightly spooky adventure that blends humor with healing, grief, and emotional depth.

Adam shares how his screenwriting experience sharpened his storytelling voice, the real journey to finding a literary agent, and why publishing needs more emotionally honest, diverse books for boys. He opens up about balancing writing with parenting four children, building character-driven stories, and how a lighthearted ghost idea became a meaningful exploration of loss for young readers.

As a storyteller shaped by Music City’s creative heartbeat, Adam reflects on how Nashville’s culture—where music, books, film, and artistry intersect—influences his work. This ties beautifully to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a Nashville-rooted program fostering young readers and a lifelong love of stories.

This episode is packed with insights for teachers, librarians, and writers alike:
• Social-emotional learning (SEL)
• Grief support and emotional processing
• Classroom read-alouds or literature circles
• Reluctant readers seeking humor and heart
• Boys needing representation in emotionally honest stories
• School libraries looking to expand middle grade selections

🎧 Listen in to meet a Nashville storyteller whose work deserves a spot on every classroom and library shelf—and gain inspiration for your own creative journey.

📣 Cyber Monday Alert: Today is the last day to grab your tickets to The Storytellers Summit at 40% off! Use code CYBERMONDAY at checkout to save. The Summit runs January 12–17 and includes workshops, craft guidance, and opportunities to pitch to literary professionals. Don’t wait—secure your discounted tickets now: https://thestorytellersshelfpodcast.com/storytellers-shelf-summit/

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