Finding Faith and Identity: An Interview with Author Stephanie Cardel on This Isn’t Shakespeare and Whatever Is True
Stephanie Cardel is no stranger to storytelling and ministry.
As the founder of Lighthouse Literary Agency, she has a passion for weaving faith-driven narratives that resonate deeply with readers. Her debut YA novel, This Isn’t Shakespeare, and its companion youth devotional, Whatever Is True, release together to equip teens and their parents with Christ-centered resources on navigating identity, relationships, and faith.
Her passion for helping young women discover who they are in Christ shines clearly in her writing.
About the Books
Stephanie’s debut YA novel, This Isn’t Shakespeare, follows seventeen-year-old Madison, a hopeless romantic and aspiring ballerina whose dreams take an unexpected turn. As her carefully planned life begins to unravel, Madison must confront the lies she’s believed, face toxic relationships, and rediscover her true identity in Christ.
To help readers dive deeper, Stephanie created Whatever Is True, a three-week youth devotional based on Philippians 4:8. Designed for teens, parents, and small groups, it unpacks key themes from the novel—including identity, purity, and love—with Scripture-rich devotionals, personal reflection questions, and group discussion prompts.
📖 Read a free sample of either book on Amazon.
Exclusive Interview with Stephanie
Q: What inspired you to write a YA novel and a companion Bible study?
“I originally wrote a secular version of This Isn’t Shakespeare. While it was on submission, I was teaching abstinence-based sex education in public schools and also writing for Daughter Dilemmas. I quickly realized how many young women were struggling with guilt, shame, and regret because they didn’t know Christ. That’s when God led me to rework the novel to boldly point to Him.
After adding discussion questions, I saw there was so much more theology to unpack, so I created Whatever Is True to provide a Scripture-based devotional. WordCrafts Press graciously published both.”
Q: What tough issues does This Isn’t Shakespeare address?
“This novel tackles the reality of toxic relationships, misplaced identity, and our culture’s casual view of sex. Many teen girls believe they’ve ‘gone too far’ to be loved by God or deserve harmful treatment in relationships. Madison’s journey reveals God’s unending grace and forgiveness, helping readers embrace their worth in Christ and trust His plan.”
Q: How does Whatever Is True build on those themes?
“It digs into three major areas:
Identity — finding who you are in Christ instead of in a relationship
Purity — pursuing holiness in all aspects of life, not just sexual choices
Love — learning what true, healthy love looks like according to Scripture.It’s written to encourage deep reflection and provide group discussion opportunities so teens can grow spiritually together.”
Q: Madison dreams of being a professional ballerina. Was that inspired by your own story?
“Absolutely! I practically lived at the dance studio during high school. While I didn’t pursue a professional career, I opened my own studio at nineteen and taught dance while in college. I also dreamed of acting and writing—dreams God fulfilled through my work on several faith-based films and now as a published author.”
Q: How can we pray for you and these books?
“Pray that these resources will reach the teens, parents, and youth leaders who need them most. My hope is that God will use This Isn’t Shakespeare and Whatever Is True to ground young people in Scripture, point them toward Christ, and open doors for important conversations about identity, purity, and love.”
Who These Books Are Perfect For
Teens navigating relationships and identity
Parents looking for discussion starters with their teens
Youth group leaders wanting Christ-centered resources
Christian book clubs seeking YA novels and devotionals
Final Thoughts
Stephanie’s debut novel and companion Bible study are more than just good reads—they’re tools for shaping hearts and pointing teens toward Christ. Whether you’re a parent, youth leader, or teen yourself, these resources will help you wrestle with tough questions while keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Preorder your copies of This Isn’t Shakespeare and Whatever Is True today—and start the conversation about faith, identity, and God’s love.
Meet the Author
Stephanie Cardel
Stephanie, founder of Lighthouse Literary Agency, has a passion for crafting faith-driven stories that deeply resonate with readers. Her debut YA novel, This Isn’t Shakespeare, and its companion study, Whatever Is True, release together to equip teens and parents with Christ-centered guidance on identity, relationships, and faith. Living on a farm in middle Tennessee with her husband and goldendoodle, Stephanie is a proud mom of three grown children and grandmother to five. Over the years, she has led Bible studies, written and directed church plays, participated in faith-based films, and co-wrote the Daughter Dilemmas advice column. Her heart for helping young women discover their identity in Christ shines through her writing.
