“Composing Sermons & Dreaming Up Murder”

A fellow New England author I am fortunate to know is Reverend Jane Willan, whose latest cozy mystery was published a few weeks ago. More details on Abide With Me in a minute, but first you may have questions: What is a cozy mystery? Cozy mysteries, also called "cozies" are a form of crime fiction … Continue reading “Composing Sermons & Dreaming Up Murder”

Reading: “Sullied at the Police Station”

What happens when an attempted rape is reported at the police station? This reading from my novel Horseshoes and Hand Grenades gives you an idea. The story is set in the 1980s but how much has changed since then? You be the judge. This reading, which I call "Sullied at the Police Station", was recorded … Continue reading Reading: “Sullied at the Police Station”

Reading: “Frenemies”

author s.m. stevens

Who doesn't love a good enemies-turned-friends story? That's what you get in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. In this reading of an excerpt from the Contemporary/New Adult Fiction novel, our two heroes meet for the first time. Shelby and Astrid couldn't be more different, and they do not hit it off right away, to put it … Continue reading Reading: “Frenemies”

Reading: “Astrid in the Alley”

graphic slide for novel excerpt video

Hello everyone! Work on my new novel is keeping me from posting as much as I'd like, but we can't forget about Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, my modern coming-of-age novel for two young women building their careers and lives while dealing with demons from the past and present. The novel continues to garner glowing reviews. … Continue reading Reading: “Astrid in the Alley”

Video: Why I Wrote Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

I am often asked why I wrote Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, my novel that is both a coming-of-age story for two young women, and a probe into the minds of victims of sexual harassment and abuse. I had several goals in mind when developing and writing the story, as I explain in this 2-minute clip … Continue reading Video: Why I Wrote Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

Life of a Writer: Midnight Inspiration

I think a lot of writers suffer from midnight inspiration, for better or worse. I’m almost done with the first act of my new manuscript (about a group of Millennials grappling with life’s choices and social justice issues), and am happy to report I've found a way to work with these sometimes unwelcome thoughts. Typically, … Continue reading Life of a Writer: Midnight Inspiration

Interview: “The 3 Pillars” Podcast

logo the 3 pillars podcast

I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed recently by the delightful Chriselda Barretto for her unique podcast, "The 3 Pillars." The episode was published on April 29, 2020. Listen to it here, and be prepared for 30 seconds of intense, awesome music in the introduction! We discussed the actions women are taking after reading … Continue reading Interview: “The 3 Pillars” Podcast

15 Free Books Left

We're halfway through the "30 Days of Free Books" COVID-19 program, and there are still many great books in many genres from many amazing authors up for grabs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=exJhzSvampU&feature=emb_logo Entry is free, other than answering 1 quick, multiple-choice question about how the coronavirus has affected your reading habits. The other authors and I thought it … Continue reading 15 Free Books Left