Kim Lengling did not grow up dreaming of becoming an author. As she shared on the Project Seed Money Podcast, her early life followed a very different path. Raised in a small-town, all-American community, Kim joined the U.S. Air Force, later returning home unsure of what came next.

Writing entered her life quietly. After years of administrative work, she was asked to interview veterans and share their stories in a newspaper. At the time, Kim didn’t consider herself a writer — but others saw something she didn’t yet recognize. An editor once asked who had written her speech after hearing her speak to hundreds of veterans. When Kim replied that she had, the editor simply said, “Kim, you’re a writer.”

That work became deeply meaningful. Over the years, Kim interviewed hundreds of veterans, including combat veterans and former prisoners of war. Some shared stories they had never told anyone before. One interview, conducted by phone at a veteran’s request, stayed with her forever. Shortly after sharing his story, he passed away. For Kim, the experience was both humbling and affirming — a reminder of the responsibility that comes with holding someone else’s truth.

That responsibility came at a cost. Kim speaks openly about how carrying those stories affected her mental health. The empathy that allowed veterans to trust her also meant she absorbed their pain. Therapy helped her understand her own PTSD and learn how to release what she carried so she could continue writing — and living — with balance.

After fourteen years of veteran interviews, Kim stepped away. Soon after, she was invited to contribute to an anthology sharing her own military experience. Initially, she resisted. She was used to telling other people’s stories, not her own. But encouragement from someone who truly listened helped her take that step. The response was powerful, and it changed the direction of her work.

Kim went on to create six anthologies, including the faith-based When Grace Found Me series and When Hope Found Me. Later projects focused on pets and the role animals play in helping people through difficult times. Those anthologies donate proceeds to a local no-kill shelter — a reflection of Kim’s belief that books should serve a purpose beyond profit.

Through it all, Kim has self-published, eventually creating her own imprint, Page Turner Publishing. Sales numbers have never been her measure of success. What keeps her going are messages from readers who say a chapter helped them through a hard moment.

Her advice to writers is grounded and generous: keep learning, build the right community, don’t let others define your pace, and remember why you started. One of her favorite practices is writing a letter to your five-year-old self — a reminder of how far you’ve come and what you’ve survived.

Kim Lengling’s work is rooted in empathy, faith, and service — gathering stories with care and sending them back into the world where they can do the most good.