Saints of Savannah: An Interview With Leigh Ebberwein

Leigh Ebberwein, a native Savannahian, has established herself as a captivating storyteller with her “Saints of Savannah” series. An alumna of St. Vincent’s Academy, Ebberwein weaves her experiences growing up in Savannah into her novels. Her series is known for its heartfelt narratives deeply rooted in Savannah’s enchanting scenery, rich cultural backdrop and the unbreakable bond between friends and family.

Ebberwein debuted as an author when she picked up a pen in her late forties and started writing a novel literally “out of the blue,” all while raising seven children. She earned a business degree from Georgia Southern University and launched her publishing company, Old Fort Press. She has now released four novels in “The Saints of Savannah” series. Taking pride in her identity and perspective, she drew inspiration from the city of Savannah in her first novel The Blessing of the Celtic Curse. The main character has a rich Irish heritage and Catholic faith, much like Ebberwein and many others in Savannah.

Her second book, The Savannah Gondolier, takes readers to Italy (by way of Tybee Island, Georgia) while still carrying on the themes of finding your roots and facing challenges.

Her third novel, The Castle on Wassaw Sound, travels to Scotland, where the main character finally gets the chance to make her mark on Savannah’s architecture as a contemporary architect. It tells a tale of preserving a piece of Savannah’s lost history, and finding trust in a centuries-old castle.

The fourth (and newest) installment in Ebberwein’s series, The Cottage on Mystic Lane, was released in May. The story follows the main character, Agnes, who inherits her Aunt Lottie’s charming cottage on Isle of Hope, Georgia, after Lottie’s passing. As Agnes delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets: a haunted house, a shocking revelation at the family cemetery and a reunion with a past love who holds the key to her future.

Find out more about Leigh and her books here.

Amelia Moran: What do you find makes for a great story?

Leigh Ebberwein: The ability to transport someone to a different time and place. Complex characters that are relatable and constantly overcoming obstacles. A story that moves at a great pace. And, for me, a happy ending.

AM: Tell me what you enjoyed most with writing your latest book The Cottage on Mystic Lane. Was it the characters? The writing itself?

LE: I always enjoy the research, and this novel required quite a bit. It has a  cross-generational component that had me digging in Savannah’s history—which I loved. My dad was born and raised in Savannah, so he helped me push through several of my roadblocks. But every time I unlocked one, another seemed to open. Thankfully, it’s fun when the pieces all line up. I hope readers will feel as if they’re dancing in both Savannah’s present and past.

AM: When you first started writing, what was your biggest inspiration?

LE: In 2019, I had an idea. I have seven children, and I’ve always been a storyteller, but I’d never been inspired to put one onto paper. That particular day, I grabbed one of my children’s notebooks, walked onto my back porch and began writing it down. I wrote like a fiend for months. I couldn’t get the story onto paper fast enough.

AM: How do you feel your writing process has changed?

LE: My first novel was written rather quickly, but required many edits. By the time it was complete, it was drastically different from my original one. I learned over the years to make a rough outline for the backbone of the story, then let my creativity fill in the rest.

AM: Do you base characters on real-life people and situations?

LE: Yes, sometimes. One of the characters in my latest novel was based on my aunt, a true Savannah lady who also had “special gifts.” Just like my aunt, this character would visit her husband’s gravesite at Bonaventure Cemetery to continue drinking their nightly toddies together. I thought of her often as I wrote this novel.

AM: What genre do you feel yourself drawn toward?

LE: I love time-travel romance and historical fiction. 

AM: Do you have any future installments planned?

The Cottage on Mystic Lane is the fourth novel in the “Saints of Savannah” series. It is planned as a six-book series, but as I’m drawing closer to the end of the series, I’m beginning to realize I might need a seventh installment. There’s still too much these six ladies need to complete before I put this series to rest.