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Samuel DenHartog

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

http://samueldenhartog.com/

Genre

Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

Member Since

January 2024

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/samueldenhartog

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Samuel DenHartog is a versatile and imaginative author whose works span a wide array of genres, including mythology, fables, fairy tales, fantasy, romance, mystery, science fiction, and children's books. His stories captivate readers of all ages, blending wonder with rich, timeless narratives.

What sets Samuel apart is his ability to breathe new life into ancient tales while preserving their core essence. Whether it's mythology, folklore, or fairy tales from various cultures, by carefully balancing tradition with modern touches, he creates stories that resonate with contemporary audiences, making historical and mythical narratives feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.

Off the page, Samuel is a lifelong learner, constantly expanding his creative ...more

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What makes you qualified to write "Fables from Japan?" Are you Japanese?

Samuel DenHartog While I am not Japanese, my passion for folklore and fables transcends cultural boundaries. As a storyteller, my goal is to preserve and celebrate var…moreWhile I am not Japanese, my passion for folklore and fables transcends cultural boundaries. As a storyteller, my goal is to preserve and celebrate various cultures' rich oral and literary traditions, ensuring that their timeless wisdom is passed on to new generations. I approach each fable collection with deep respect for the original source material, immersing myself in the history, themes, and values embedded within these stories.

In the case of "Fables from Japan," I have drawn from classic, public-domain sources that reflect Japan’s cultural heritage, carefully reworking the tales in modern language to make them accessible to contemporary readers. Unlike Andrew Lang, who often mixed stories from various cultures in his "Fairy Books" series, I prefer to group all of the fables and fairy tales from a particular country or culture together. This allows readers to immerse themselves fully in that culture’s storytelling traditions, gaining a deeper appreciation for the themes and values that shaped those tales so long ago. My role is not to replace or rewrite history but to act as a bridge, bringing these stories to life in a way that respects their origins while allowing new audiences to connect with them.

I have completed twenty-four "Fables" books and plan to work on at least six more, each focusing on a different country or culture. There is no way I can be from all of those cultures, but that does not mean I cannot study and respect them deeply. By dedicating myself to learning about these traditions, I can faithfully retell these stories so that all of my readers can enjoy fables from around the world. I aim to allow readers to explore diverse cultural heritages, one story at a time, and discover the universal wisdom in every tale.

Every culture has a wealth of wisdom and creativity to offer, and I see myself as a curator and storyteller, honoring the voices of the past as I help them resonate with today's readers.(less)

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First, hats off to you for having the willpower to write so many different books in such a short time! However one book I'm wondering about is Fables from Eskimos. It's considered a controversial word for some people. Is there a reason you chose to go with this one over different options?

Samuel DenHartog Thanks for your question; it is a good one. I also chose "Eskimos" because, for better or worse, it is the most recognizable term to many everyday rea…moreThanks for your question; it is a good one. I also chose "Eskimos" because, for better or worse, it is the most recognizable term to many everyday readers. I considered, but didn't go with "Fables from Inuit", because Inuit is a specific cultural and language group, is not as well-known, and it is not a catch-all term for every Arctic people whose stories show up in older folklore collections. I also thought of "Fables from the Arctic", but ultimately felt this was the best title that communicates where these older folk tales came from.

I chose "Tales from the American Indians" for that book in my "Mythology Anthologies" series, which some people also consider wrong, yet it is my most widely sold book in the series, so the title clearly resonates with readers who still connect with the normal words many people use in daily life.
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Samuel DenHartog’s books

Average rating: 2.43 · 3,978 ratings · 720 reviews · 434 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Calico Quilt 3.78 avg rating — 89 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fahrenheit 151 2.94 avg rating — 84 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Whispers Under Western Skies 3.55 avg rating — 65 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Quest for the Golden Bird 3.21 avg rating — 67 ratings — published 2024 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dead Quiet in the Stacks (Cozy Cove Mysteries, #1) 3.27 avg rating — 63 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mistletoe and Martians 3.47 avg rating — 55 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Something Borrowed, Something Wrong (Cozy Cove Mysteries, #2) 3.37 avg rating — 51 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Lobsterman's Lottery 3.29 avg rating — 48 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Comanche Bride 3.64 avg rating — 42 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Alphabet Dragons 3.70 avg rating — 40 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Samuel DenHartog…

237 posts
Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440

Gods, Demons, Monks, and Magic in "Sun Wukong, the Monkey King"

I have now published "Sun Wukong, the Monkey King", my retelling of one of the great adventure stories of world literature. This is a tale filled with gods, demons, monsters, tricksters, sacred quests, magical weapons, and impossible trials, but at the heart of it all is one unforgettable figure: the stone-born Monkey King himself. He begins as wild power and restless pride, laughing at death, cha Read more of this blog post »

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Published on June 15, 2026 06:40 • Tags: buddhism, china, chinese, folk-tales, folklore, monkey-king, mytholofy, sun-wukong

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Series by Samuel DenHartog

Aniya Hawke (6 books)
by

Samuel DenHartog (Goodreads Author)

2.53 avg rating — 72 ratings

The Witches of East Haven (3 books)
by

Samuel DenHartog (Goodreads Author)

2.63 avg rating — 38 ratings

Chronicles of Nyrithia (2 books)
by

Samuel DenHartog (Goodreads Author)

2.33 avg rating — 18 ratings

The Vampire's Cookbook (2 books)
by

Samuel DenHartog (Goodreads Author)

1.69 avg rating — 13 ratings

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Samuel’s Recent Updates

Samuel DenHartog and 1 other person liked Samuel DenHartog's blog post: Gods, Demons, Monks, and Magic in "Sun Wukong, the Monkey King" "I have now published "Sun Wukong, the Monkey King", my retelling of one of the great adventure stories of world literature. This is a tale filled with gods, demons, monsters, tricksters, sacred quests, magical weapons, and impossible trials, but a..." Read more of this blog post »
Jun 15, 2026 06:40AM
Samuel DenHartog liked Samuel DenHartog's blog post: Title: Volcanoes, Forest Spirits, and Clever Mouse-Deer in "Fables from Indonesia" "I have just published "Fables from Indonesia", a collection built around the rich, colorful storytelling traditions of the Indonesian islands. These are tales of mothers and sons, brave girls, sea queens, hidden spirits, enchanted creatures, royal..." Read more of this blog post »
Jun 11, 2026 04:03PM
Samuel DenHartog liked Samuel DenHartog's blog post: Worlds Collide and Magic Changes Forever in “The Veil Between Realms” "The sixth book in The Witches of East Haven series, “The Veil Between Realms”, takes Laurel, Susie, Andrea, and Blanca into a very different kind of danger. After everything they have faced, the girls begin their senior year hoping life in East Ha..." Read more of this blog post »
May 19, 2026 09:10PM
Samuel DenHartog and 1 other person liked Samuel DenHartog's blog post: A Hunger That Never Ends in "Woods of the Wendigo" "There is a kind of horror that does not rush at you all at once. It settles in slowly, like cold moving through a shelter that cannot quite keep it out. This book lives in that kind of fear, where winter strips away comfort, hunger gnaws at every ..." Read more of this blog post »
May 08, 2026 03:10PM
Samuel DenHartog answered Sam's question: First, hats off to you for having the willpower to write so many different books in such a short time! However one book I'm wondering about is Fables from Eskimos. It's considered a controversial word for some people. Is there a reason you chose to go with this one over different options? Thanks for your question; it is a good one. I also chose "Eskimos" because, for better or worse, it is the most recognizable term to many everyday readers. I considered, but didn't go with "Fables from Inuit", because Inuit is a specific cultural and See Full Answer
Feb 01, 2026 06:31AM · 2 likes · like
Samuel DenHartog liked a quote “Associating with a fool is a waste of time and troublesome to your soul.” Lamees Alhassar
Apr 27, 2025 09:00AM · like · more quotes by Lamees Alhassar
Samuel DenHartog liked a quote “When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book.” Mary Higgins Clark
Apr 27, 2025 09:00AM · like · more quotes by Mary Higgins Clark
Samuel DenHartog rated a book it was amazing Poems From The Heart by Linda Martin	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
It contains 30 wonderful poems filled with quiet reflection. I love the way they flow. My favorites were "Dinosaurs," "Beaches," and "The Porch." Dinosaurs, because I probably am one. Beaches, because I love the beach and the way it was described. The ...more
Feb 18, 2025 08:00PM · 1 like · like · see review
Samuel DenHartog is now following Linda Martin Author of When Dinosaurs Go to School
Feb 18, 2025 07:59PM · like
Samuel DenHartog made a comment on So this happened... " I love how you can make losing a file exciting in your writing! I am glad you got it back. :) "
Aug 31, 2024 05:54AM · see blog post

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Quotes by Samuel DenHartog (?)

“magical”
― Samuel DenHartog, Apprentice to the Wizard: A Forge Your Own Path Book

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“Remember the Day”
― Samuel DenHartog, A Christmas Carol in Rhyme

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“For though no coin on Christmas is made”
― Samuel DenHartog, A Christmas Carol in Rhyme

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Samuel’s Quotes

“magical”
― Samuel DenHartog, Apprentice to the Wizard: A Forge Your Own Path Book

1 likes

“When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book.”
― Mary Higgins Clark

tags: on-writing, revenge, storytelling

669 likes

“Associating with a fool is a waste of time and troublesome to your soul.”
― Lamees Alhassar, how gratitude can give you more?

tags: happiness, inspirational, life, love

11 likes

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Samuel DenHartog’s Followers (120)

Samuel DenHartog

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