S.M. Stevens's Blog, page 23

Author Interview on Citywide Blackout

Citywide Blackout, a blog/podcast covering artists of all kinds, interviewed authors at the Rhode Island Author Expo two weeks ago for their podcast.

This was one of my favorite interviews to date as Max asked a lot of great questions. We got pretty deep into #MeToo issues and I appreciated the sincerity and honesty in his questions.

You can listen to the podcast on Citywide Blackout, or watch the interview on @CitywideBlackout’s Facebook page.

And to hear/watch/read other interviews I’ve done recently, go to my Author Interviews page.

As always, feel free to let me know what you think in the Comments section on any of my blog or web pages!

A bit more on Citywide Blackout: “CB is a home for artists of all kinds, from filmmakers to musicians to authors and everything in between. The show also covers comic-cons, book expos, and film festivals.”

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HAHG Review: "A timely book for the #MeToo age"

Authors know that no book appeals to everyone, and that not every reader will enjoy our books. So it’s extremely gratifying when a reader “gets it” — not only enjoying and appreciating the story, but understanding 100% what you were trying to say and why you said it and wrote it the way you did.

So I was thrilled with this recent review posted on Amazon and Goodreads by Eileen O’Finlan. (Eileen is an accomplished author in her own right; I’ll be posting more about her down the road a bit.)

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Click to read the full review on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Fun Photo Friday: Santa Approves! (ICYMI)

It’s official! Santa approves of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, and my new novel is going on the list of gifts for the Nice people.

Maybe he should also put it on the list of gift ideas for Not-So-Nice people who need to learn what is acceptable behavior and what is harassment…

#MeToo #TimesUp #HAHG #AlmostCounts

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Coming Dec. 14th: Worcester Holiday Author Festival

Join me and 20 other authors at the first annual Worcester Holiday Author Festival at Root and Press bookstore on December 14th from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. Browse books in all genres including kids books to romance to non-fiction and fantasy.

I’ll have my Middle Grade Shannon’s Odyssey, Young Adult Bit Players series, and Adult fiction Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.

And, it’s not just authors! My fabulous illustrator Natalie Simone will be there signing copies of Shannon’s Odyssey and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.

In addition to buying holiday gifts and getting them signed by the authors, you can enjoy holiday music, sweet treats, a 50/50 raffle and more. It’s all happening at the Worcester Holiday Author Festival!

Root & Press is at 623 Chandler St., in Worcester, MA.

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Click Lit Central Features HAHG on Bookshelf

Chick Lit Central, a website chock full of book reviews, author interviews, book giveaways and other fun book-related info, is featuring Horseshoes and Hand Grenades this week and next. Check it out here on the site’s Bookshelf page.

Thanks, Chick Lit Central, for the support, and I encourage readers who enjoy chick lit and women’s fiction to subscribe to their blog or follow them on social media.

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Photo Album: Rhode Island Author Fair

I participated in the Rhode Island Author Fair for the first time yesterday, and what an event! Hats off to the organizers for this extremely well planned and promoted book show, which took place at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.

Here are a few photos from the fabulous day. Unfortunately, I always forget to take pictures with readers who stop by the table. We get so engrossed in conversation that I never think to ask for a photo!

[image error]At our table with illustrator Natalie Simone



[image error]Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is officially Santa-approved!



[image error]The woes of a pen name: Having to re-write the name tag to be correct



[image error]Being interviewed for the Citywide Blackout podcast



[image error]My amazing assistants!

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Fun Photo Friday: Christmas Tree of Books

This week’s Fun Friday Photo comes courtesy of Tracy Buchanan.

Fire safety concerns aside, what a great idea! Books come in all dimensions, which can be a pain when you’re organizing your bookshelf. But those differences recede into the background when you use the books to build a Christmas tree. And, much like a real tree, throw on some decorations and lights and voila – a work of art!

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Guest Post on Funky Feminist

So honored to have a guest post appear on Funky Feminist, a site full of insightful and timely observations about everything from gender equality and race to facing your fears about menstrual cups. And kudos for the awesome graphic they posted with the article, which I have borrowed for this post.

My guest post on Funky Feminist addresses why some women discount the harassment and abuse they suffered, and why I hope all women eventually realize that “almost counts.”

Here’s the introduction to the article, which is titled In Sexual Harassment And Abuse, “Almost” Counts.

Society loves to ask victims of sexual harassment and abuse why they didn’t speak up sooner. There are myriad reasons of course: it’s too painful, they’re embarrassed, or they think it won’t do any good.

But many women don’t say anything because they discount their own experiences. By “discount” I mean assigning less value to something than it deserves.

With #MeToo and #TimesUp, this is changing. Women’s experiences are discounted less—by them and others—and validated more. But there are still many victims who haven’t spoken up or even acknowledged that their experiences mattered, maybe because it wasn’t “severe” enough. If you are one of them, this article is for you.

Read the full post here: In Sexual Harassment And Abuse, “Almost” Counts.

And read my earlier blog post on Funky Feminist here: 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

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Fun Photo Friday: Giving Thanks for Tolerance

Not everyone will agree that today’s Fun Photo Friday image is “fun” but I think it’s fun plus a lot more — timely, symbolic, and much needed. If you love the photo and everything this rainbow house stands for, read on. If you don’t, please read someone else’s blog.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and I decided to take a broader view of what I’m grateful for. Family, friends and health are all still top of the list, but in today’s world, somehow it feels right to give thanks for all the tolerant people on the planet, who make this world better.

It’s cliche but true that all human beings on this earth bleed the same, breathe the same, even reproduce in the same way! How much more connected could we be?

So here’s a toast to all the people who accept and respect all other people, no matter their race, religion, gender identity or sexual persuasion. And here’s an extra toast to those who toil day and night to make the world a more tolerant place for all of us.

Happy Day-After Thanksgiving, everyone.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, from the Horseshoes and Hand Grenades family!

If you are a victim of sexual harassment or assault, like the characters in my novel, I encourage you to acknowledge that your experience “counts” and you deserve to heal, if you haven’t already.

No matter the “severity” of what happened, a line was crossed and it probably affected you. There is no shame in that, only the potential for you to develop even more strength than that which carries you through every day now.

Here’s hoping that your inner strength brings you hope for the future.

#MeToo #TimesUp #MeTooVoter #HAHG #AlmostCounts

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