My Play Will Be Published by Choeofpleirn Press

cover of the Autumn 2023 edition of Choeofpleirn Press's Rushing Thru the Dark

I love writing fiction, but drama has always been my first love. Hence my Young Adult series, Bit Players, which is set in a high school drama club. On the suggestion of a good friend, I turned my novelette The Wallace House of Pain into a stage script. And, to my sheer delight, I can … Continue reading My Play Will Be Published by Choeofpleirn Press

Wallace House of Pain $1 This Week

book the wallace house of pain against a background of fall orange leaves

I'm overstating: Actually, The Wallace House of Pain -- my novelette about troubled family relations, modern social justice issues and deeply personal choices -- is being offered as a special promotion this week for only $0.99, starting at 5 PM tonight! Buy it here. The Wallace House of Pain is about a 45-minute read, and … Continue reading Wallace House of Pain $1 This Week

Book Deal Update: Beautiful and Terrible Things

illustration of a Take 2 board

Maybe I should have called this post: Book Deal, Take 2: Beautiful and Terrible Things. Beautiful and Terrible Things is my next novel -- the story of six friends who remind us that friendship has the power to validate, destroy, transform and save lives. I have bad news and good news. And the bad news … Continue reading Book Deal Update: Beautiful and Terrible Things

It’s a Pitch Party in the 603

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

Time to report in on two recent writing events I attended. NHWP 603 Writers’ Conference I was thrilled to be one of five finalists in the "Pitch Party" competition at the 2023 603 Writers' Conference sponsored by the New Hampshire Writers' Project (NHWP) on June 3rd. My submission was for my work-in-progress, a novel entitled … Continue reading It’s a Pitch Party in the 603

The Play’s the Thing

cover of The Wallace House of Pain on a tablet with a plant in the background

A reader of The Wallace House of Pain says it would make a good play. I agree! After all, as Shakespeare said, "the play's the thing". I have always been a huge drama nerd, and would love to write plays some day. Put it on the list... Why would this novelette translate so well to … Continue reading The Play’s the Thing

A Little Book Problem Reviews “The Wallace House of Pain”

Graphic showing the masthead for the "A Little Book Problem" blog, a quote from the review, and the cover of The Wallace House of Pain

I'm pleased to share a new review of The Wallace House of Pain, this one from A Little Book Problem--one of my favorite book review blogs. Hop on over to Julie's blog, A Little Book Problem, for the full review. And here are a few snippets: "A great collection of vignettes which explores the relationship … Continue reading A Little Book Problem Reviews “The Wallace House of Pain”

Chat About Books Reviews “The Wallace House of Pain”

screenshot of the Chat About Books blog masthead and beginning of the Wallace House of Pain book review

Thanks to Kerry at Chat About Books for reviewing my novelette, The Wallace House of Pain, on her hugely popular book blog, and calling the story "A must read!" on her 5-star Amazon review. https://youtube.com/shorts/kDySb0WVKHw?feature=share She writes: "[Xander] is convinced his father won’t accept him for who he really is. Something we all know many, many … Continue reading Chat About Books Reviews “The Wallace House of Pain”

Are You Really Subscribed to My Blog?

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If you follow my blog through your WordPress account, first off – thank you! Second, be aware that you are not actually subscribed to my blog. So if you followed me in order to enter the giveaway contest for a paperback copy of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, you are not entered yet. We can't enter … Continue reading Are You Really Subscribed to My Blog?

Book Giveaway: 15 Copies of “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades”

gif showing the Horseshoes and Hand Grenades book on a pedestal against a pink sparkly background

We are conducting a book giveaway contest to clear out inventory of my last novel, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, and make way for the next one—Beautiful and Terrible Things, which is being released by TouchPoint Press very soon. Winners also receive a free novelette and other Bonus Materials. Fifteen copies of the paperback version of … Continue reading Book Giveaway: 15 Copies of “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades”

Free YA Book for “Twilight” & Theater Lovers

woman holding a tablet showing a book for sale

'Tis the season of giving, so I am giving away for free my YA (Young Adult) book for music- and theater-lovers, and fans of the Twilight books and movies! Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers is one of the few books written just for tween, teen and young adult fans of musical theatre and … Continue reading Free YA Book for “Twilight” & Theater Lovers