Most people know the story of Santa Claus, and a few can name his most famous helpers. But author and songwriter Rob Smith couldn’t stop thinking about everyone else at the North Pole.
“Surely they couldn’t all spend their days making toys,” Smith said. “Someone would have to organize supplies, maintain equipment, manage deliveries, prepare meals, and perform the countless other jobs required to keep everything running.”
Driven by the old adage that “it takes a village,” Smith began building the fictional Village of North Peak, an interconnected community of elves with unique responsibilities, distinct personalities, and whimsical names. That world-building effort eventually launched The North Peak Adventures, a growing literary and multimedia franchise rooted in story, song, and community engagement.
From Songwriting to Storytelling
The path to North Peak didn’t begin on the printed page; it started with a melody. A lifelong writer who helped write a school play in the second grade, Smith grew up surrounded by creativity, heavily influenced by his father, a musician and entertainer.
“I’ve also been fortunate enough to spend time around some well-known figures in music and songwriting,” Smith noted. “Sometimes the most valuable things you learn come from simply listening to experienced people talk about their craft.”
That experience paid off: Smith earned Semi-Finalist recognition twice in the international Song of the Year songwriting competition in 2026.
His transition into children’s literature occurred after he wrote an original Christmas song inspired by the imaginary village.
“Merryfin is a perfect example of how music influences my writing because the song came before the book,” Smith said. “After creating the original song, I found myself becoming more interested in the characters and the village I’d imagined… Those questions eventually led to the book.”
The result was The Magic of Merryfin Sparkshoe, the premier title in The North Peak Adventures series. To maintain that musical connection, the book features a QR-linked companion song, allowing readers to listen to the music while following along.
Engaging Communities and Classrooms
Smith has actively leveraged his work to foster community connection and youth education. On October 17, he launched “Merryfin’s Scary Spin™,” a free family scavenger hunt in downtown Henderson featuring 12 stops, including the Henderson Welcome Center and 11 local businesses. Families followed clues and uncovered “Secret Words” to navigate the course.
“I wanted to do something different from a traditional book promotion,” Smith explained. “Rather than simply asking people to purchase a book, I wanted to create an experience that families could enjoy together.”
Smith noted that the support from the area has been invaluable for an independent creator. “When you’re an independent author, you don’t necessarily have a large publishing company or promotional team behind you. You have an idea, a lot of determination, and the hope that people will find something worthwhile in what you’ve created,” he said. “So when a local business agrees to participate in an event, or someone takes the time to share your story, that encouragement means something.”
Beyond local events, Smith designed “Robbie’s Club” on his website, RobSmithWrites.com, offering interactive educational games, classroom resources, and historical stories.
He is currently bringing “The North Peak Adventure Experience”, an interactive, 90-to-120-minute presentation featuring character readings, illustrated maps, and creative workshops, to schools, libraries, and homeschool groups. The program is offered free to local institutions that provide opportunities for families to purchase or preorder books, with upcoming visits planned in his hometown of Paris, Tennessee.
Looking Ahead
With the hardcover release of The Magic of Merryfin Sparkshoe set for November 1, featuring full-color illustrations, Smith is already preparing the next chapters of the universe. Two additional books are planned for the series, with the second title largely complete and focusing on another key member of Merryfin’s team.
For Smith, the expanding universe serves as a reminder that creative ideas have no age limit or boundaries.
“Writing isn’t something I suddenly discovered when I decided to publish a children’s book,” Smith said. “It’s something I’ve enjoyed since childhood, something I learned to appreciate through my father, and something I’ve continued doing throughout my life.”
“And if there’s another message I’d like to share, it’s that you’re never too old to pursue an idea,” he added. “You never know where it might lead. Sometimes it starts with a song, becomes a book, and before you know it, you’ve created an entire village full of elves!”
Calling all Hendersonians!