What does it mean to glorify God in the arts? As a writer and a believer, Sydney Schmied ‘28 considers that question as she articulates the motivation behind her written works. Sydney brings an entertaining mix of hope and history to her readers through crafting stories that are both truthful and redemptive. 

A sophomore studying English writing and marketing, Sydney Schmied is an author of historical romantic suspense novels. Around the time she graduated high school, Sydney began contacting editors and agents for her fifth manuscript, eventually securing her first book publishing deal for a three-part series with Wild Heart Books. 

Set in early 1900s Chillicothe, Ohio, The Majestic Theater Series transports readers into a world of secrets, intrigue, and unexpected redemption. The first book in the series, entitled The Darling’s Daughter, presents a chilling murder mystery that unravels within the historic Majestic Theater. The Darling’s Daughter is set to be published in August 2026, with the two sequels released in the following year. 

Sydney explains where the idea for the series came from. “I had this idea of an actress’ murder and I needed a theater. The Majestic Theater is only about four or five hours from where I live. It’s still running today.”  

Sydney enjoys being able to share a piece of history from her home state, noting that there aren’t many books set in Ohio. She found her research engaging and tried to preserve as much factual history as she could in her writing. 

“There are just so many little-known, everyday life things that aren’t really written about,” Sydney remarks as she explains her interest in historical fiction and the time period between 1880 and 1920 in particular. 

Although part of her goal with The Darling’s Daughter was simply to create a truly entertaining story, Sydney also sees her task as something deeper. “I want someone to pick up the book and find that there is hope for wherever you’re at in life in Jesus. That’s the foundation I really try to work with.” 

The theme of redemption was what got Sydney writing for the Christian market in the first place. “You leave something important out of books that are hopeless, which is redemption in Christ. In high school, I was not finding the stories I really needed to read — hopeful, but not fluffy. Books that are truthful and show real human struggle through a Christian worldview matter.” 

This was something that Sydney continued to learn during her first year at Geneva through her humanities core classes. Thinking through the meaning of death, love, and community inspired her. She started to carefully consider what making the most of our time here looks like and the implications that has for work in any field. Even non-Christian authors provided valuable insight into understanding the entire world as God’s creation, waiting expectantly for complete redemption. 

“All the writers we read, even if they are seeing things from a different perspective, are searching for something. It gives me peace knowing the hope that they are looking for is in the Bible.” 

While the Bible remains our ultimate source of hope and truth as believers, Sydney also views literature as a way to partially uncover these things. 

“A lot of stories reflect how we live our lives and real things that we have experienced. If you pick up a book where a character is experiencing something that you have and it’s from a biblical worldview, sometimes you can find peace and healing in that.” 

What started as relief and a creative outlet during high school when struggling with intense migraines, Sydney's writing has grown into a passion, career path, and way to use her talents to glorify God. As she continues to define her writing skills, she is also gaining hands-on knowledge of the publishing process and industry, in which she eventually aspires to work. 

Sydney is an American Christian Fiction Writers 2023 First Impressions Contest finalist and a 2024 Genesis Contest semi-finalist. Stay up to date on her work on Instagram @SydneySchmiedAuthor. 

By Reagan Shields ‘26