From Newsrooms to Novels – An Epic Adventure in Storytelling!
- Writer's Life
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
J. Schuyler Sprowles is no stranger to the power of storytelling. His career has taken him from radio stations across the West to television newsrooms in Texas and Los Angeles, where he covered everything from breaking crime stories to political scandals. As a journalist and communications director for some of the most influential offices in Los Angeles, Schuyler mastered the art of crafting narratives that inform and engage. But beyond the fast-paced world of news and media, he had a deeper passion—one that would eventually lead him to the world of fiction writing.
His debut novel, The Young Samaritan, is first and foremost an adventure—one that transports readers to ancient Israel and follows a young protagonist on a life-altering journey. Inspired by a mysterious passage from the Gospel of Mark, Schuyler weaves together history, faith, and universal themes of purpose and self-discovery into a gripping, immersive tale. Thoroughly researched and vividly told, the novel invites readers—religious and non-religious alike—into an ancient world filled with danger, hope, and profound transformation.
In this interview, Schuyler shares his remarkable journey from broadcasting to fiction writing, the inspiration behind The Young Samaritan, and how his storytelling background helped shape an unforgettable adventure novel.
Tell us a bit about your background?
After leaving college in Illinois to pursue my passion for a career in broadcasting, I moved to Hollywood, CA to learn the craft directly from radio and TV broadcast professionals. I landed my first radio job in Santa Fe, NM which consisted of an on air shift, selling advertising, writing ad copy and reading the spots on the air. This led to a circuitous journey of radio stations throughout the west where I continued to broadcast, sell advertising and write/produce hundreds of radio commercials. Eventually my career took me to television news where I anchored two nightly newscasts Monday through Friday in Midland/Odessa, Texas and later in Dallas. After two years in Dallas, the siren song of Hollywood called me back to SoCal where I became a television general assignment reporter in Los Angeles covering everything from violent crime, celebrities, brush fires to politics.
Ultimately my news career took me out of broadcasting and into LA City Hall where I served as the Communications Director for the City Attorney and later for the LA County District Attorney. In time, other high profile communications roles came my way along with further advertising positions.
Later in life I founded a monthly magazine that centered around community and family issues which is still being published today.
Shortly after selling my interest in the magazine, I began writing my first novel, The Young Samaritan.
What led you to pursue writing, and how did your journey begin?
Writing was always an essential part of my work experience. In the beginning writing ads for radio, to television, writing news stories and later as a communications director writing press releases, speeches and position papers. Granted, it was all fact oriented, but in order to make your words resonate, you always need to tell a story that people will remember.
What inspired you to write The Young Samaritan?
I have always maintained a curiosity for stories of the Bible and in spiritual journeys that have the potential to change lives. For some time I had pondered the provocative passage from the Gospels which only appears in the Book of Mark 14:51-52 where an unidentified young man in the Garden of Gethsemane at the time of Jesus’ arrest is described as breaking free from the guards and leaving his garment behind as he runs naked into the garden never to be seen or heard from again. Who was this young man, I wondered, and why was he present in this critical moment of Mark’s gospel? This strange biblical passage rumbled around in my mind for many months before I finally decided to put pen to paper and write The Young Samaritan.
How did you approach researching the historical and biblical context to ensure authenticity in The Young Samaritan?
Not being a historian or biblical scholar, I knew I had my work cut out for me, so I became absorbed in the researching process. Fortunately Google can bring the ancient world right to your computer screen, but you have to know the right questions to ask. Often I would find myself spending hours at a time reading about ancient Israel in the time when Jesus walked the dusty roads. How did they live from day to day, what kind of food did the common people eat? What did a typical dwelling consist of, what were the raw building materials? What were their customs, their myths and of course their religious beliefs? My primary objective was to develop a solid level of knowledge of what it was like to live during this pivotal time. My goal as a story teller was to place the reader alongside the protagonist (Joshua) every step of the way during his remarkable journey. It is my earnest hope that this book achieves that.
Why should people who aren't religious consider reading The Young Samaritan? What universal themes do you think will resonate with a broader audience?
I think a recent reader review of the book from Samuel says it best. “This book is not just about history or religion; it’s about what it means to be human. If you’ve ever felt lost, if you’ve ever questioned your place in the world, if you’ve ever needed hope—The Young Samaritan will touch your heart in ways you never expected.”
What universal themes do you think will resonate with a broader audience?
Again I would like to address this topic through the words of a reader review that just came in from Rachel who says, “This novel is not just about history or faith; it’s about people—flawed, struggling, and hopeful people trying to make sense of their place in the world.”
Another reader, Rodney, stated, “At its core, this book is about searching—not just for safety, but for truth, purpose, and belonging. If you love books that transport you to another time and leave you thinking about their messages long after you close the final chapter, I highly recommend this one.”
What do you hope readers take away after reading the book?
It is my hope that readers are taken by surprise by how completely absorbed and moved they are by this boy’s journey. That after reading the last page they find themselves thinking about their own life story and the remarkable people and places that have deeply touched them along the way.
Do you have any other books on the horizon?
I am considering a book of short stories where divine intervention is delivered in highly unexpected places. For example, a neighborhood tavern from the 1950s where World War II vets seek salvation from a bartender, a highway rest stop where lost motorists (souls) seek direction from a lone woman seated at a picnic table, under a Southern California pier where a currently unhoused group of once successful and celebrated people, including a former star football player, a business titan, an over-the-hill celebrity without a friend in the world and a few desperate others gather to find spiritual renewal from within their most unusual fellowship. This book of short stories is still in the incubation stage but the story lines are beginning to gel.
For more information please visit: https://jssprowles.com
