Samantha Smiley

Step into the hauntingly beautiful world of Samantha Smiley, founder of Maison Folle Publishing—a literary haven for historically grounded fiction. Her work blends poetic depth with vivid storytelling, often exploring themes of legacy, healing, and the wild beauty of human connection.

Samantha is a Human Resource and Compliance Executive who reinvented herself as a novelist and creative entrepreneur. Her journey into storytelling was sparked by a profound reunion with her birth mother—a transformative experience that unearthed long-buried memories and ignited a passion for healing through narrative.

Now the creative force behind Maison Folle Publishing, Samantha crafts emotionally resonant fiction that explores identity, legacy, and the quiet power of place. She divides her time between the vibrant energy of Orange County, California, and the historic charm of Hopwood, Pennsylvania. Her work draws deeply from the landscapes and cultural heritage of Southwestern Pennsylvania, blending lyrical prose with psychological nuance to illuminate the human spirit.

Her debut novel, *The Orphan of Lady Liberty*, is a sweeping fictionalized memoir inspired by true events. At its heart is Fredilia, a woman shaped by trauma and silence, whose journey across continents and generations becomes a powerful testament to survival, identity, and the enduring bonds of family. Raw, lyrical, and unforgettable, this multigenerational tale invites readers to confront the ghosts of the past—and discover the strength to begin again.

Through *The Orphan of Lady Liberty*, Samantha found her voice. That voice led her to write *Mountain Laurel*, a novel inspired by a dinner conversation at the historic Stone House Restaurant & Inn in Fayette County. During that visit, a longtime waitress—who had worked there for over 40 years—shared a story about the building being haunted. Not frightening, but gently haunted. A friendly ghost, she said. Things moved. People saw flickers. Heard whispers. Felt chills. Her tale was so convincing, it stayed with Samantha.

And why wouldn’t it be haunted? The Stone House was completed in 1822, making it over 200 years old. For two centuries, the community has stewarded this structure, preserving its legacy and atmosphere. That moment sparked Samantha’s imagination. She began to wonder: What draws a spirit to a place? To a building? To the land?

In *Mountain Laurel*, Samantha turns her gaze to the misty hills of Appalachia, where the spirit of Laurel Rose Whitcomb lingers at the Stone House. Her life, cut short by war, remains tethered to the land she once called home. When her unmarked grave is unearthed by modern development, long-buried secrets rise with it. Rooted in memory, myth, and the wild bloom of Pennsylvania’s state flower, this novel is a love letter to place, loss, and the healing power of remembrance.

Samantha’s writing is deeply tied to the Laurel Highlands—the march of progress, the National Highway, the echoes of Fort Necessity, and the quiet resilience of small-town life. She’s not a historian, she’ll tell you, but she’s a passionate steward of memory. Her stories include references to prior owners, regional lore, and the emotional truth of the land, even if not every detail aligns perfectly with the historical record.

Coming January 2026, *The Coal Baron’s Black Heart* promises another emotionally charged journey—this time into the shadowed corridors of power, pride, and redemption in a coal town gripped by ambition and betrayal. It will delve deeper into Fayette County’s rich and complicated history, exploring the human cost of industry and the fragile hope of legacy.

Whether you’re drawn to ghost stories steeped in history or intimate portraits of resilience, Samantha Smiley’s novels offer a rare kind of storytelling: one that lingers long after the final page.

Her personal journey mirrors the themes she writes about. In the summer of 1984, Samantha graduated high school and moved west to California. But the hills of Pennsylvania never stopped calling her home. As she approaches retirement, she and her husband are renovating a historic home in Hopwood, looking forward to slowing down and reconnecting with the community that shaped her.

She’s proud of Fayette County—its history, its people, and its evolving spirit. Through her books, she hopes to inspire others to support local businesses, artists, educators, and musicians. Communities thrive when they’re nurtured, and her work is a celebration of that truth.

Samantha Smiley is more than an author—she’s a visionary who blends emotional depth with practical skill. Her approach is collaborative, open-hearted, and rooted in a love for storytelling. Through Maison Folle Publishing, she continues to build a literary brand that celebrates wild creativity, emotional healing, and historical legacy.