"The Smile Hunt" — A Philosophical Reflection on a Journey Four Years in the Making

A letter from Stipe Lozina

Every story begins as a seed of an idea, but some ideas grow into entities far larger than anticipated. "The Smile Hunt" was not just a narrative I wanted to write—it was a story that demanded to be told, a truth waiting to emerge. This novel, now complete after four years of painstaking creation, is more than a psychological crime thriller; it is a philosophical exploration of the human condition, a mirror to the labyrinth of the mind and the soul.

The origins of "The Smile Hunt" trace back to my first series, "Revenge of the Past." It was there that Martha Richards first appeared—not as a central figure, but as a character whose complexity couldn’t be contained within the confines of a supporting role. Even then, she stood apart, her presence more commanding with each scene. Her story grew, her voice sharpened, until it became clear: Martha needed her own journey.

But "The Smile Hunt" isn’t just Martha’s journey. It is mine as well.

When I began writing, I was driven by the pure passion of crafting worlds and shaping narratives. Over the years, as my path expanded—becoming president of WYA Split, engaging in political thought, and exploring the moral intricacies of human dignity and action—my writing evolved. Each new role, each philosophical inquiry, deepened my understanding of the stories I wanted to tell. "The Smile Hunt" became a vessel for these reflections, a place where trauma, resilience, and the eternal quest for meaning could intertwine.

This journey was not without its challenges. Over four years, the manuscript went through countless rewrites. Each iteration brought me closer to the truth I wanted to convey but also revealed the ever-changing nature of that truth. What began as a crime story became a narrative about the battles within—between mind and soul, despair and hope, light and darkness.

The process was more than writing; it was a philosophical exercise. It forced me to confront my own questions about human nature, morality, and the enduring power of the human spirit. It was a journey of growth, not just as a writer but as a thinker and a human being.

Now, as the novel prepares to take its place on shelves around the world in 2025, I reflect on what it truly means to finish a work like this. "The Smile Hunt" is more than a book. It is an invitation—to think, to feel, to question. It is a reminder that within the darkest corners of our experiences, there is light to be found, and within the deepest wounds, the potential for healing.

I hope readers will find in this book not just a story, but a journey—a philosophical meditation on what it means to be human. May it challenge you to see the complexities within yourself, to wrestle with your own shadows, and to emerge with a deeper understanding of the smiles we seek—not only in others but within ourselves.

With gratitude and hope,
Stipe Lozina
Writer, Thinker, Advocate