Blog Posts

Advance Reviews Praise “Beautiful and Terrible Things”

book Beautiful and Terrible Things on a wooden bedside table

The first advance reviews of my forthcoming novel Beautiful and Terrible Things are in, and they offer high praise! Sending "Advance Reader Copies" (also called "Advance Review Copies") out to publishing trade magazines and media before a book is published is a time-honored tradition in the process of publishing a novel. The idea is that … Continue reading Advance Reviews Praise “Beautiful and Terrible Things”

Official Trailer: Beautiful and Terrible Things

Trailers aren't just for movies anymore... I'm very excited to share with you the official trailer for my forthcoming novel, Beautiful and Terrible Things: https://videopress.com/v/fkuLpmLy?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Beautiful and Terrible Things comes out on July 18th. I'll be sharing advance reviews from trade publications and readers in the coming months, as well as special materials related to … Continue reading Official Trailer: Beautiful and Terrible Things

March Madness

My version of March Madness--any brackets are the punctuation kind. 🙂 A lot of exciting things happened in March on the book front. Here are three tidbits I have not yet shared on this blog, and one ICYMI. The Wallace House of Pain Advances to the Finals for Chanticleer My novelette about a troubled father-son … Continue reading March Madness

Cover Reveal for Beautiful and Terrible Things

the full color cover of Beautiful and Terrible Things showing a montage of faces

At last, I can reveal the full cover for my contemporary novel Beautiful and Terrible Things, which comes out in July. I couldn't be happier with how the publisher and designer treated my characters and my story about multiple social justice issues. My fellow authors are also enthusiastic, calling the cover stunning, gorgeous and a … Continue reading Cover Reveal for Beautiful and Terrible Things

“Beautiful and Terrible Things” Book Update

cover of Beautiful and Terrible Things with the cover covered in paper except for a small piece torn off

My contemporary novel Beautiful and Terrible Things is moving through the pre-publication process and is on track for a summer release. The publisher is finishing up the cover, which I will be able to reveal to you in all its glory very soon. For now, here's a teaser: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Publishing Process … Continue reading “Beautiful and Terrible Things” Book Update

Upcoming Book Fairs in Southern NH

authors Susie Spikol and S.M. Stevens holding their books

If you live in southern New Hampshire, mark your calendars with these two upcoming book fairs -- one right away in Newport and one in June in Hillsborough. Both are free and open to the public. Saturday, March 16, Bookport 2024 at the Richards Free Library, 58 N. Main Street, Newport, NH, 10:00 AM - … Continue reading Upcoming Book Fairs in Southern NH

It’s Smashwords’ Read an Ebook Week 2024

illustration of girl reading a book for Smashwords Read An Ebook Week 2024

What is Smashwords? It’s an online store where you can buy ebooks from around the world—nearly a million of them. More important, what is Read an Ebook Week? It’s seven days, starting today, in which you can obtain scores of new ebooks at steep discounts or even free in some cases. 3 of My Books … Continue reading It’s Smashwords’ Read an Ebook Week 2024

“The Wallace House of Pain” Short-Listed for a CIBA Award

Chanticleer book awards logo showing a rooster

My novelette The Wallace House of Pain has made it onto the "short list" for the 2023 Shorts Book Awards competition sponsored by Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA). "Shorts" encompass short stories, essays, novelettes, novellas and short story collections. From here, finalists are named, and then the winners will be chosen. About The Wallace House … Continue reading “The Wallace House of Pain” Short-Listed for a CIBA Award

What’s Cookin’ in My Book Kitchen

what's cookin' with row of knives and forks and row of books

I realize I haven't posted in a while, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy! In fact, things are cookin' in my book kitchen. The book projects keeping me busy are: 1) Publishing Beautiful and Terrible Things, with my new publisher Black Rose Writing. Their awesome team is plugging away behind the scenes to … Continue reading What’s Cookin’ in My Book Kitchen

New Reader Reviews of “The Wallace House of Pain”

The Wallace House of Pain book cover on a phone, lavendar and mint green background

I'm happy to share two new reader reviews of my award-winning novelette, The Wallace House of Pain. Both readers gave the short fiction work five stars, for which I am grateful. I am especially grateful to hear that my story resonated so strongly with this first reviewer; nothing makes an author more appreciative than knowing … Continue reading New Reader Reviews of “The Wallace House of Pain”