My 3 Favorite Reads for 2023

S.M. Stevens' 3 favorite reads in 2023 with book covers

Shepherd, as my regular readers know, is a relatively new site for finding your next book, but with a twist: the book recommendations are from authors. I am one of 884 authors asked to name our 3 favorite reads for 2023. Choosing was tough, of course, and stopping at three was even tougher. But here's my … Continue reading My 3 Favorite Reads for 2023

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

Book Lovers Soaps

Bar of soap crafted to look like a little orange covered book, from Holiday Farm

I don't usually talk about non-book products here, but this is too good not to share. You know those people who love books so much they would bathe in them if they could? Or maybe they just read in the bathtub? (Guilty.) I recently came across the perfect gift for those people -- actual bars … Continue reading Book Lovers Soaps

New Review: Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers

3 Bit Players books on a shelf

Here's an excerpt from a new review of Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers posted recently on Amazon: "As a lifelong Broadway theatre lover, I found myself enjoying Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers fully! Great characters, a fast-moving story, and wonderful descriptions of the musical created and staged by the high school … Continue reading New Review: Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers

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”

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