S.M. Stevens's Blog, page 27

Meet Astrid, #HAHG Hero

As part of my Book Launch Week, I’d like to introduce you to Astrid, one of the narrators of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.

In this excerpt, it’s actually the other narrator, Shelby, who is speaking. It’s Shelby’s first day as an intern at a Boston PR firm, and Anne, the office manager, has just introduced Shelby and Astrid to each other.

Oh, and if Astrid’s outfit has you doing a double-take, I should mention that the story is set in the 1980s.

Fun Photo Friday: #HAHG on Amazon

I may have just kicked off Book Launch Week for Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let Friday go by without a Fun Photo Friday post!

In keeping with the Book Launch theme, today’s fun photo is a screenshot showing that the paperback of HAHG now available on Amazon. I’m sure that image is more fun for me than anyone else in the world, but thanks for humoring me.

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is also available on these sites:

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And if you want your local bookstore or library to carry it, all you have to do is ask!

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#HAHG Book Launch Week Begins

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is officially published today by TouchPoint Press! In celebration, I’m kicking off “Book Release Week” although it will probably be more like two weeks because there are many things I want to share. 

Each day I’ll post an excerpt (or extract for my UK friends) from my #MeToo novel, to introduce the characters and some of the funny, touching and infuriating situations that occur in the book.

But to get us started, I invite you to click to read an interview published today on MeetingTheAuthors.com, as it’s a great introduction to the story (and to me). Meeting The Authors is a wonderful site that unites readers and authors, so check it out if you are either or both.

This was a very fun interview to take part in. I’ve never been asked what I would do if I opened my door and saw a penguin standing there. But I’ve always been a penguin-lover, so the question was right up my alley.

#HAHG Radio Interview from the K-Zone “Lunchbox”

Doing a live radio interview for “The K-Zone Lunchbox” with Travis at WPKZ-Radio (105.3 FM/1280 AM), in Fitchburg, Mass., last Friday was a blast! It was my first chance to talk about Horseshoes and Hand Grenades on the radio, and Travis was an amazing interviewer.

I’ve sat in on many a radio interview over the years in my role as a PR pro, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t a tad nervous. But Travis made it easy.

If you’d like to learn a bit more about me and my #MeToo novel Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, you can listen to the WPKZ “Lunchbox” interview here.

Here are a few excerpts from the 15-minute segment (edited somewhat to minimize my rambling):

Travis: Your new book, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, tackles a very serious issue – the #MeToo movement. What made you want to tackle this?

S.M. Stevens: Year ago, I had written a manuscript about childhood incest, which wasn’t very good. Then, all the Harvey Weinstein coverage started, and I was fascinated because I was watching people ask the same questions of these sexual harassment victims in the workplace that they had asked of incest victims, which are things like, Was it really that bad? Was it partly your fault? Why did you wait so long to speak up? You must have some ulterior motive if you waited years and now you’re saying something.

Travis: I think a lot of folks when they start reading your book — they may have seen a situation like this and at the time, maybe not thought anything of it, but in looking back will say, “Hey, to the people who were directly impacted by this, it was a traumatic incident.”

S.M. Stevens: That’s a great point, and that’s one of the reasons that I wrote it. It is not a story of extreme sexual assault, if you can even say that. I wanted people to understand that it doesn’t have to be severe, so to speak, to count. That’s actually where the title comes from — almost does count in more things than horseshoes and hand grenades. 

Travis: I can only imagine there are people out there who question, Was my experience serious enough? Was it a big enough deal? And as you mention, anything that you’re uncomfortable with, that’s crossing the line.

S.M. Stevens: I totally agree. If you cross the line between a parent and child — that bond of trust that  should be there — that’s an issue. If the line of what’s appropriate in a work environment is crossed, that’s an issue. I look at it this way. We don’t discount other crimes the way we do harassment crimes. If somebody has $10 stolen from them, that’s a crime just as having $1,000 stolen from you is a crime. We always accept that if someone is a victim of a burglary or theft, they suffered in some way. So why wouldn’t it be the same, that if somebody undergoes some kind of crime in this area, that it wouldn’t affect them? Of course it does.

Travis: When people read this, you’re hoping they’ll learn something. There is a direct takeaway from this book.  

S.M. Stevens: I hope so. I hope people who are not victims of these situations and the ones who ask the questions — I hope the book takes them into the mindset of the characters and they start to understand why women — or any victims, men too — don’t speak up at first. 

Travis: Your two main characters are in their 20s. In your 20’s you’re an adult but you’re still figuring a lot of things out. Is that why you chose to go with that age range, because of that vulnerability?

S.M. Stevens: Yes, and because that’s when women and men are first learning about the business world. I believe this is the first book with a #MeToo theme that addresses women in their 20s. There are a couple of books out there with older women, and there’s probably going to be a lot more in the near future, but I believe this is the first in which the heroines are in their 20s, which is when you’re first learning about power plays, and corporate politics, and how to act in the office. So that choice was very intentional.

Travis: Are you hoping that this will serve as an eye-opening experience for anyone joining the working world? 

S.M. Stevens: That would be amazing. I would love it to become some kind of guidebook for young people.

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Fun Photo Friday: Tia at the Vet

I’ve featured my dog Korra a few times on Fun Photo Friday, so it’s time to let my cat Tia in on the fun.

Tia had her annual check-up with the veterinarian yesterday. As you can see, she’s not very comfortable at the vet. She doesn’t make herself at home or anything. (Sarcasm intended.)

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Tia is an outdoor cat (no haters, please — I know the risks and I have my reasons.) She’s seen a few vets in her 11 years and every single one has gushed over how amazing she is. She puts up with the exam with little fuss. And they exclaim over the excellent condition of her teeth and coat.

And in case you’re wondering — yes, she came right down to the exam table when the vet was ready to examine her.

The Miracle at the End of the Rainbow

And now for something completely different:

If you love to read but only have small chunks of time available for such luxuries, check out 100 Word Story. I love this website. All stories published are literally, exactly, no joking…100 words long. No more, no less. 100 Word Story is a great place for a quick jolt of emotion, whether it’s a chuckle, a gasp or a bolt of inspiration.

Here’s a story I submitted, which was not accepted. So I foist it onto my blog readers instead.

Fun Photo Friday: Korra’s Tattered Ball

You know that stage in a ball’s life when your dog has torn so many holes resulting in so many sharp or rough edges that you start to fear it’s going to hurt the pup’s mouth?

Funny how that is also the exact stage when the dog’s bond with the ball solidifies into an irrational, passionate connection.

Korra refuses to give up this ball. The more tattered it gets, the more she seems to like it! Sort of like a child with a grimy, threadbare blanket.

Poem: Portrait

A dear friend who understands the incest and sexual harassment themes of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is allowing me to publish her original poem here on my blog.

Portrait

My brother lifts the blanket off my feet.

His fingers climb my inner thighs.

I am eight. He tells me to be quiet.

I flatten myself against the ceiling.

I see my eyes are shut, that I hold my arms

tight to my sides. His hands pry open

what I want to keep closed. He breathes

like our dog in summer. I will not cry. 

.

Photo by sankavi on Unsplash

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HAHG Review from Rae’s Reading Lounge

Many thanks to Rae at Rae’s Reading Lounge for reviewing Horseshoes and Hand Grenades on her book blog! Following is an excerpt from her review. You can read her full review here.

While you’re there, check out her other astute reviews and recommended reading material.

She writes:

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades tells a story in alternating viewpoints of the harassment that women face daily, on the street, at work, anywhere public really. It ranges from heartbreaking to infuriating and all the feelings in between.

Shelby and Astrid are both working in PR which was a tougher world in the ’80s when the book takes place and there weren’t a lot of women in their profession. Shelby has been carrying a secret from childhood, one that she has tried for so long to keep buried. But once she recognizes it, it spills out and starts to affect every aspect of her life. 

While she’s busy trying to keep Astrid happy, Astrid is keeping a secret too, only this isn’t a childhood secret, it’s one having to do with their job. Both of these women come together in friendship and solidarity over the course of the book. It’s not an easy road for either of them to walk, but if they want to get onto the road to healing, they must address it once and for all. 

I liked that the author included such heavy subject material in the book, because sexual harassment happens to women so often, and we should spend more time lifting each other up rather than tearing each other down…The underlying message of strength and hope is a strong one, and I think that will shine through for readers.

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Fun Photo Friday: Post-It Plotting

When plotting out a book, trying to interweave numerous plot lines into a chronology and story arc that make sense can bring on a brain cramp!

Enter the Post-Its, those humble little slips of paper that have organized many a disheveled thought process.

I found my pile of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Post-Its when I was purging some files the other day.

So if you ever wondered how “the sausage is made” — now you know haha.

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