In the first episode of The Literary Lounge, author Jen Shoop discusses her debut book, Small Wonders: A Field Guide to Life’s Quiet Joys, a beautifully curated collection of essays, musings, and poetry that celebrates the art of paying attention to the everyday moments that make life meaningful.
Jen and Jennifer explore Jen’s journey from childhood writer to published author, how her beloved literary lifestyle blog, Magpie by Jen Shoop, evolved from a passion project into a full-time career, and why vulnerability, curiosity, and resilience are essential ingredients of a creative life. They also discuss the ups and downs of navigating the middle chapters of life, the rituals that shape Jen’s writing process, the books she’s been loving lately, and her advice for aspiring writers learning to trust their own creative path.
This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that inspiration often begins by simply paying attention and that the road to success is rarely linear.
In This Episode
- The inspiration behind Small Wonders
- Why “attention is a form of love”
- How Jen’s early careers shaped her writing
- From passion project to full-time career
- Connecting with readers through vulnerability
- Jen’s path to becoming a published author
- ‘Shaking hands with a blank page’
- Navigating life’s middle chapters
- The books Jen’s recommending
- What living a creative life means to Jen
Meet Jen Shoop
Jen is the founder and author of the daily literary lifestyle blog, Magpie by Jen Shoop. She recently published her first book, SMALL WONDERS: A FIELD GUIDE TO LIFE’S QUIET JOYS, a collection of essays, musings, and poetry on the art of paying attention. Jen holds an advanced degree in literature from Georgetown University and has enjoyed a varied career in non-profit management, technology, and product design. Jen is an adoring wife to her husband, Landon (also styled as Mr. Magpie on her blog), and a loving mother to two young children. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland.
Connect with Jen
Blog: https://magpiebyjenshoop.com/
Instagram: @magpiebyjenshoop
Purchase a copy of Small Wonders
Books & Authors Mentioned
- Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
- U.A. Fanthorpe
- Owls and Other Fantasies by Mary Oliver
- Anne Lamott
- The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century Poetry, edited by Rita Dove
- Mythology by Edith Hamilton
- Whistler by Ann Patchett
- Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
- Strangers by Belle Burden
- Kin by Tayari Jones
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
STAY CONNECTED
The Literary Lounge
Follow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation.
Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:
- The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
- The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
- Recommended reads
- Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates
Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co
Jennifer Cash
Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge
Instagram: @readwithjennifer
