the BACKSTORY
I’m Samantha—a writer, ghostwriter, and creative producer based in East Nashville.
Before launching Essayem Creative, I spent over a decade as a staff Writer/Producer at CMT, where I created everything from episodic promos and brand campaigns to trailers and live shoots for original programming. It was fast-paced, collaborative, and taught me how to turn vague ideas into finished work—quickly, and at a high level.
When I left that world in 2018, I wanted more creative range—and more direct connection to the work. I’ve been independent ever since, building a practice that blends storytelling, strategy, and a deep respect for people trying to do too much with too little time.
Beyond the desk: I read compulsively, collect more cookbooks than I’ll ever cook through, and spend a lot of time thinking about what makes writing work—whether it’s on the page, in a brand voice, or in a barbecue recipe. I live in East Nashville with my partner Josh and our pitbull, Alley. When I’m not working, you can usually find me at a local bookstore, planning a meal I’m probably going to overthink, or trying to keep something alive in the backyard.
FAQs
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
YOLO. But also, is there like, a plan for this?
WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO LIVE?
In the states, the Pacific Northwest, or Vermont. Abroad, Patagonia.
WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVERUSE?
I think.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS?
Always evolving. Currently: Roxane Gay, Toni Morrison, Anne Helen Petersen, Ann Patchett, Hanif Abdurraquib, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Maggie Smith, Jabari Asim, Jesmyn Ward, Amor Towles.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE?
My parents & Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
I would love to play piano.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST OVERRATED VIRTUE?
Loyalty is weird.
IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A PERSON OR A THING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
An astronaut, or a much beloved cashmere sweater.
WHAT OR WHO IS THE GREATEST LOVE OF YOUR LIFE?
All the dogs I’ve ever pet.
at home WITH SAM
A L L E Y
Our pride and joy - she looks at me like this every single day. Josh met her as a malnourished stray on Printer’s Alley in Nashville. Nine years later, she is part angsty teenager and part puppy. She loves to be outside, tennis balls, her beloved squeaky blue ball, bones, and napping. She adores people but dislikes other dogs. Often, she can be found waiting for you to drop something.
J O S H
Josh is a mix and mastering engineer, owner of Nashville Mastering, and co-owner of Prime Recording Studio in Nashville. He may be the most amiable person I’ve ever met - he makes a friend of anyone. He loves to travel, quotes Seinfeld and Frasier apropos of nothing, has big opinions on how to properly grill, knows good music, how to fix most things, and can talk hockey for days.
N A S H V I L L E
I have lived in Nashville + the surrounding areas for over 20 years now and though I always imagined myself living further away, it has, for better or worse, become my home. Its politics are terrible, its summers unbearable, but there are plenty of folks doing their best to cultivate a great creative culture and that we love being a part of that magic.