# Author Sara Maurer on her new book, "A Good Animal" and the Power of Place (03-22-26)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/west-michigan-weekend-a-public-affairs-program-from-iheartradio-1390286/author-sara-maurer-on-her-new-book-a-good-animal-and-the-power-of-place-03-22-26
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/west-michigan-weekend-a-public-affairs-program-from-iheartradio-1390286/author-sara-maurer-on-her-new-book-a-good-animal-and-the-power-of-place-03-22-26.md
Podcast: [West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)](https://stenobird.com/podcast/west-michigan-weekend-a-public-affairs-program-from-iheartradio-1390286)
Published: 2026-03-21T04:00:06+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/author-sara-maurer-on-her-new-book-a-good-animal-and-the-power-of-place-03-22-26--70786265
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70786265/032226_ihmwmw_sara_maurer_a_good_animal_final_mix.mp3
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Duration seconds: 753

## Resource

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Sara Maurer to explore her powerful debut novel, A Good Animal. Set in the rural landscape of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, A Good Animal is a deeply emotional story of first love, identity, and the life-altering weight of a single decision. The novel follows Everett, a young man determined to stay and rebuild his family’s sheep farm, and Mary, a newcomer driven by ambition and a desire to leave—capturing the universal tension between staying rooted and chasing something more. In this conversation, author Sara Maurer reflects on her own connection to Sault Ste. Marie, the inspiration behind her characters, and the often-overlooked beauty and complexity of rural life. She also opens up about the pressure many young people feel to leave small towns—and what it means to return. Sara Maurer’s terrific debut novel, A Good Animal …is published by St. Martin’s Press … and available wherever books are sold. Sarah's book tour is underway across Michigan. See her schedule on her website. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Phil Tower

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