THE RIDDLE OF THE TONGUE-STONES

How Blessed Nicolas Steno Uncovered the Hidden History of the Earth

Friends, today is the official launch date for my debut children’s nonfiction book from Word on Fire Votive!

The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones has been a labor of love for over two years and I’m excited to finally share it with the world. Order your copy today at a special discounted price directly from the Word on Fire Bookstore.

Word on Fire sent out a special announcement to their email subscribers describing the book:

This delightful new book about a Catholic scientist will inspire your kids to explore faith and science!

The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones is an incredible new book for kids ages 8-14 that tells the exciting story of Blessed Nicolas Steno, the father of geology whose passion for truth led him to a groundbreaking scientific discovery and a deep religious devotion.

Interwoven into this biography of a scientist and Catholic bishop is the story of ancient fossils and the hidden history of the earth beneath our feet.

With a cover made to look weathered and worn with age as well as field-guide sketches throughout, this beautifully crafted book was made to look like a centuries-old scientific notebook recently rediscovered by you and your kids.

Get a copy of The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones: How Blessed Nicolas Steno Uncovered the Hidden History of the Earth and inspire your children to become saintly scientists just like Blessed Nicolas Steno!

It still feels surreal to finally be a published author. My childhood dream of writing a book about fossils has finally come true. My message to writers everywhere is: Never give up hope!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I want to thank everyone who has made this book possible; most especially my mom, who relentlessly encouraged me when I didn’t think I was talented enough to write a children’s book; my wonderful editor and “book midwife”

Haley Stewart

, who expertly shepherded this project from day one; my incomparable illustrator Dillon Wheelock and the entire design team at Word on Fire who made this book the finest-looking kids title on the market, and my good friend

Matthew Becklo

, who believed in my potential when I was just a novice freelance writer struggling to land bylines.

Haley also interviewed me for the Word on Fire blog, Evangelization & Culture Online. Read our discussion to learn more about the amazing life and adventures of Blessed Nicolas Steno, plus details about how I came to write the book.

The message of The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones is this: You don’t have to choose between science and religion! Nicolas Steno was a first-class scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries. He was also a faithful Christian to the end of his days. Steno’s saintly life embodied that famous quote from Pope John Paul II: “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.”

I have plans to write a longer Substack post detailing the process of creating The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones—from drafting, to pitching, to publication—I’m going to give you special behind-the-scenes details about my author journey.

Before I sign off, I want to specially thank YOU. Without my readers, none of this would be possible. Please share this newsletter and The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones with anyone who’d be interested—especially any young, aspiring paleontologists!

And if you’ve ordered a copy of the book, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below. I’d love to hear from you. I know that some folks who ordered early have already received their books. The best thing about being an author is getting to see my book make it into the hands of readers!