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If you’ve ever picked up a Southern women’s fiction novel and thought, this feels like a warm hug, today’s episode is for you. I’m joined by author Grace Helena Walz, who writes heartfelt, community-centered stories set in the South—full of family, quirky characters, and deeply emotional themes.

In this conversation, Grace and I dive into her two novels—Southern By Design and Good Hair Days—and chat about writing family-driven stories, magical realism, Southern settings, and what makes Southern women’s fiction feel so comforting. If you're curious where to start with this genre, Grace gives us a fantastic starter list featuring authors like Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and more.

We also get into her writing process, her love for the low country, how family expectations shape her characters, and the surprising emotional depth behind her latest Steel Magnolias-esque novel.

📚 Books Mentioned 

Southern By Design by Grace Helena Walz — Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction | Community, family legacy | Audio ✅

Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz — Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction | Sisterhood, small-town charm | Audio ✅

My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank — Southern Fiction | Family, coastal setting | Audio ✅

The Violet Hour by Victoria Benton Frank — Southern Fiction | Multi-generational, emotional depth | Audio ✅

Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber — Southern Magical Realism | Small town, heart + magic  | Audio ✅

The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman — Southern Magical Realism | Books coming to life, cozy magic | Audio ✅

Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman — Southern Fiction + Magical Realism | Emotional, character-driven | Audio ✅

When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart — Southern Fiction | Historical notes + gothic touches | Audio ✅

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey — Contemporary southern women’s fiction | Audio ✅

Various Titles by Mary Kay Andrews — Southern fiction staples | Audio ✅

Various Titles by Dorothea Benton Frank — Classic low-country southern fiction | Audio ✅

🕒 Timestamps

[00:00 ] — Welcome + introduction to Southern women’s fiction

[00:55 ] — Meet Grace Helena Walz & her writing journey

[02:00 ] — The path to publishing Southern By Design

[03:15 ] — Writing two books in one year

[05:00 ] — What to expect from Good Hair Days

[07:00 ] — Sisterhood, family legacy & emotional heartbeats

[08:30 ] — Why “coming home” is such a powerful theme

[09:30 ] — What defines Southern women’s fiction

[10:30 ] — Grace’s influences: Dorothea Benton Frank & more

[12:00 ] — College of Charleston, southern charm & sense of place

[13:00 ] — Community, meddling, and why Southerners make great characters

[14:00 ] — Southern magical realism: book recs

[16:00 ] — More Southern fiction authors you should know

[17:30 ] — Building a supportive author community

[18:00 ] — Why recommending authors matters for readers

[19:00 ] — Author friendships & community in publishing

[20:00 ] — Where to find Grace online

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