Meet Emily Capehart | Author & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Capehart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My debut novel, Revelation: Apocalypse Awakened, is set to release this Halloween (October 31, 2023). It follows the story of Eleanor, a devoted, unsuspecting preacher’s wife, when Lilith—mother of demons, original Satanic witch, and the Devil’s main mistress—possesses her, with a powerful shapeshifting demon by her side and the antichrist in her belly. Their plan is simple. Sell the idea that she bears the Second Coming, leading the small but fierce congregation of Mary’s House of Heavenly Sorrow into radical anarchy by fueling their predisposition for bigotry.

In this book, I aim to bridge the immense gap between the LGBTQIA+ community and modern Christianity. I hope to expose the bigotry and prejudice running rampant in the church and start a much-needed conversation about radical love and acceptance (pillars of Jesus’ teachings and the LGBTQIA+ community). My goal is to influence those who have been led astray by the persuasive nature of modern church leaders and to bring both sides together to find common ground. I consider myself both a Christian and a lesbian. I felt led to tell this story, and ideally start this movement because I have struggled to reconcile these two very important pieces of myself for a long time. If I could reach even just a few fellow Christian LGBTQIA+ members and make them feel seen, heard, and represented, that would mean the world to me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Most of my artistic background is in film, but currently, my focus is on writing prose. I am very proud to announce that my debut novel, Revelation: Apocalypse Awakened, is set to release this Halloween (October 31, 2023). I’ve never been so excited to share something I’ve created with the world. I’m also looking forward to the books I am currently writing (works in progress), which include Revelation: Ascent of a Savior (the sequel to Apocalypse Awakened) and Paradise Heights (a new horror series I’ve been developing for quite some time).

My professional journey has been a roller coaster, to say the least. After school (I have my bachelor’s in Film Studies from Pepperdine University and my masters in Directing from Chapman University), I struggled to find a job in the film industry. It was 2021 and COVID restrictions in Hollywood were still hot and heavy, so my wife, Hannah, and I packed up our many pets and moved back east for a while. While there, I was feeling very defeated about my filmmaking. We couldn’t afford to shoot any of the projects that I had been screenwriting. Hannah suggested that I write a novel instead since it’s free and easier to get out into the world. I took her advice, and now, a year and a half later, we have moved back to Los Angeles and my debut novel is being released. All of our dreams are coming true, dreams that I didn’t even know I had. As for my publishing journey, once I completed my manuscript, I tried to go down the traditional publishing route, but rejection after rejection had me more than discouraged. It was starting to damage my mental health, so I decided to go a different route and publish independently. I’m so glad I did, too! I love working with my publishing company (Palmetto Publishing), and I hope I get to continue to publish with them moving forward. I get to keep 100% of the rights to my books, which is very important to me as I hope to make them into films/TV shows down the road (I would like to attach myself as the screenwriter/director for them).

My professional artistic journey certainly hasn’t been easy, in many ways. At times, every day feels like a struggle, especially financially. Writing and filmmaking take a lot of time and thus far haven’t paid much, so I have had to do things like deliver for Instacart and Uber Eats to make ends meet. Hannah has helped me immensely in overcoming every challenge and obstacle thrown our way. I don’t know what I would do without her steady hand to guide me when I feel like giving up my art. From being on set for my thesis film shoot at Chapman to sitting with me for hours on end as I write, Hannah has been here every step of the way to encourage me and help me when I’m feeling down or stuck. Additionally, my faith has helped me carry on when times get tough and dark, both faith in myself as well as faith in a higher power. Even when I have convinced myself that my art is worthless, there has always been this small, durable part of me that told me to push through it and that my work will be important and influential someday.

I have learned many lessons along my journey thus far. The opposite of love is not hate, it is fear. Every time I find myself reacting negatively, I now remind myself to abandon fear and choose love. I have learned to seek compassion and understanding rather than judgment and condemnation, even when an opposing force is unwilling to do the same. I have also learned that in order to succeed and have others believe in me, I must first believe in myself. This has been the toughest lesson for me to learn, and it is still something I work towards every single day. Loving myself has never come naturally, and it still doesn’t, but with a lot of hard work and determination I have gotten better at it.

I aim to highlight underrepresented stories and experiences in unique, illuminating ways. I hope my readers walk away from my work having gained an unexpected insight or having felt seen, possibly for the very first time, in media and/or literature. I hope to normalize broadcasting new viewpoints, especially ones that may be seen as controversial at first, but over time, will become commonplace. I want the world to know that my main mission with my art is to bring us all together with radical love and acceptance, especially those with the most extreme differences between us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
On the first day, I would start out by taking them to the boardwalk on Venice Beach. I love all of the beaches around here, but the Venice boardwalk holds a special place in my heart. I love all the independent artwork for sale there and the cute little beach restaurants. I would take my friend up the walkway to the Santa Monica pier and have dinner at Bubba Gumps (one of my all-time favorite restaurants). Then we would ride the pier rides at night. I’m a big fan of all the pretty lights and arcade games as well.

On the next day, I would take my friend to Hollywood to check out the Walk of Fame. We would go shopping at Hollywood & Highland during the day (lunch at Trastevere) and head over to the Roosevelt for drinks in the evening. Finish off the day at the El Capitan for whatever fun Disney show they have going on at the moment, and have some ice cream at Ghirardelli’s afterward.

Later in the week, I would take my friend over to Burbank and Glendale for the day. I would start the day at the Glendale Galleria (Hannah and I used to live across the street from there, we absolutely loved it). After some shopping, we would head over to Burbank for a late lunch at Wokano. Then we would walk down the street, through the mall, and wind up at Barnes & Noble on the other side to check out their fabulous selection. At the end of the day, we would catch a movie at one of Burbank’s many AMC’s and probably pick up some Pinkberry on our way out.

Lastly, I would end the week taking my friend to both of my old stomping grounds from when I was in school: Malibu (I went to Pepperdine for undergrad) and Orange (I went to Chapman for grad school). In Malibu, I would take my friend to Paradise Cove for delicious drinks and dining outside in the sand. Then we would go to Zuma beach to watch the sunset. In Orange, I would take my friend to the Green Tomato Grill for lunch, Smoqued for drinks and Thai Town for dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give my shoutout to my amazing wife, Hannah Capehart. I would not be where I am today without her constant love and support. She inspires me every day, to be creative, to be myself, and to let my light shine bright (even when I can’t see the spark).

Website: https://www.emilycapehart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilycapehart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-capehart-a6134515a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emily.capehart.39

Image Credits
Palmetto Publishing, Max Lauren Richter