Storm Literary Agency

Boutique literary agency representing quality literature from exceptional authors and illustrators

First, there was a  teacher who loved books almost as much as she loved little children. Then, there was an artist who loved pirates, almost as much as he loved cats. As it turns out, that artist could also write, and that teacher loved the pirate stories he wrote. And she shared those stories with the children she taught. The children loved the pirate stories; they also loved the cats. They wanted more stories with pirates and cats. They also wanted an adventure. And the stories gave them so many adventures. And that is that: Storm Literary Agency came about because it needed to. The children requested it. And so did the cats. 

Storm Literary Agency welcomes submissions from unique and talented authors and illustrators, those who are not afraid to embrace their capacity to teach, to entertain, to engage and to honor people, young and old, who hopefully, will be changed by the work represented here.

Samantha Vance

 

Twitter: @Sammiebenches • Facebook: Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project • Website: sammiesbuddybenchproject.com • Instagram: sammiesbuddybenchproject • YouTube for podcast:SammieSmilesPodcast

Samantha “Sammie” Vance is 14 years old and on a mission to make the world a less lonely place starting with making sure all kids have a friend. She wants to spread kindness wherever she goes.

She has gained worldwide attention through her project where she collected plastic caps and lids and had them recycled into buddy benches for her school and all around the country. It has impacted and inspired many from kids to adults.

Sammie was 8 years old when she started Sammie's Buddy Bench Project after hearing about a buddy bench at summer camp. She herself had felt lonely and shy and had seen others with same problem so when she heard about the buddy bench she wanted them for her school to help others find friends so no one would feel lonely. She has always had a big heart for people. She went from very shy to now speaking to big crowds of people about how they can make a difference no matter their age. She has wrote speeches, sent videos to groups wanting buddy benches and sent many thoughtful letters all around the world. Her appearance on the Today Show in 2018 brought even more awareness and many more people wanted to be involved in their own buddy bench journey or to help Sammie out. She chose to have the benches made at Green Tree Plastics in Evansville, IN because they use recycled bottle caps to make the benches and they cost less and get the community involved.

Sammie wanted to help kids not be lonely and make friends. The buddy bench also helps kids that are new to the school and prevent bullying. That it is made out of recycled plastic caps is beneficial to the environment and is also very little upkeep. So helping prevent loneliness and helping the planet all in one. Being kind to one another and having the community come together to help out was a great result.

Sammie has volunteered hundreds of hours in the past 5 years on helping others. Those benefiting from collecting caps are helping the planet. Those getting buddy benches are helping kids make friends. When you are kind all those around you benefit. She has inspired not only her community but groups all over the US and around the world. A group in India had a day of collecting caps for a buddy bench after hearing about her. A group in Mexico sent caps. A little girl in France sent her a letter saying Sammie inspired her to make a difference. A textbook company in Spain will be putting pages in their books going out to 45,000 students this fall about her project. This project encourages community, kids and adults coming together for a great purpose.

To date she has helped spread over 250 buddy benches around the world. The furthest one is in Ghana. These buddy benches are in schools, parks, ball fields, shopping centers, and even retirement homes.

Sammie received a Certificate of Excellence from her cities Mayor, been a guest on the Today Show with Kathie Lee, Nightly News with Lester Holt, covered by LEGO, Martha Stewart Living, USA Today, Disney to name a few. Sammie is one of the 20 Finalists for Time Kid of the Year 2021.  She has over 40 million views on numerous videos done on her, including one of them tweeted about by Reese Witherspoon.  She has partnered with Walgreens and UPS who wanted to help her continue to spread kindness.

She has won multiple International Awards including and an award named for her. Most recently she won the Power of Children Award, Diana Award, Gloria Barron Prize for Inspiring Young Heroes and Prudential Spirit of Community Award. She has been in magazine publications such as People, Bravery and Highlights and even in magazines in the UK and as far as Australia.

 She wants to write books to inspire others to be kind and make a difference. Her debut book Inspire the World - A Kid’s Journey to Making a Difference was released August 2021 by Clear Fork Publishing (first printing). It has been featured on Reading Rainbow LIVE, Nightly News with Lester Holt, and Disney.

Sammie lives in Indiana and is in Middle School. She loves reading, writing, and creating.  Her favorite food is pizza and she enjoys connecting people. She loves receiving mail from all over the country and the world. She is a Giving Tuesday Sparks Leader and involved in various groups to support and inspire youth. She has recently co created a group called World Changers geared at young women to encourage them that they can make a difference no matter their age. Sammie does a weekly podcast called Sammie Smiles where she interviews people from all walks of life. It is geared towards leaving her listeners and guests inspired and with a smile. She also has created a series of large cap art murals using recycled bottle caps. Showing there are many ways to recycle and make the world more beautiful.

“You don’t just have to be an adult to make a difference, you can be a kid too” Sammie Vance