S.M. Stevens's Blog, page 8

Are You Really Subscribed to My Blog?

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 you in the contest, or contact you if you win, without an email address.

Therefore, if you want to enter the contest, please subscribe by entering your email address on the right of any blog page.

If you’re reading this in email, click here to visit my blog.

And note that the contest ends at midnight tomorrow, January 26.

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

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 the book will be given away. Retail value if you buy the paperback through Amazon or another online retailer is about $22.98 — that’s $16.99 for the book plus shipping of at least $5.99. My publisher sometimes puts the book on sale, but shipping is still additional.

Plus, you’ll get a FREE copy of the ebook version of my novelette, The Wallace House of Pain, which retails for $3.89. That will be sent after Beautiful and Terrible Things is published later this year, along with other Bonus Materials available only to my blog subscribers.

The books are free, but a small fee of $7.99 is required to cover the shipping and handling costs (postage and shipping envelopes) so my accountant doesn’t get mad at me!

How to Enter the Book Giveaway

To enter the book giveaway contest for one of 15 free copies, just subscribe to my blog by entering your email address in the box to the right, the one under “SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL” and clicking on the black SUBSCRIBE button. You’ll automatically be entered into the contest.

Note that after subscribing, you’ll receive an email from WordPress asking you to confirm that you really do want to subscribe.

The giveaway runs for three weeks, and ends on January 26, 2023. Fifteen winners will be chosen at random on January 27, and notified soon after.

Contest is only open to people with U.S. mailing addresses. (Sorry!)

Wait—There’s More!

By subscribing to my blog, you’ll also get access to special Bonus Materials I’m releasing soon after Beautiful and Terrible Things comes out in early 2023. This includes 10 extra scenes, a short story, and a “novelette” called The Wallace House of Pain that retails for $3.89.

Questions on any of this? Post your question in the comments or contact me via the webform.

Thanks for subscribing and good luck in the contest!

About Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

The Audiobook Review said Horseshoes and Hand Grenades “will likely stick in my mind for years to come” and The Lily Café called the book “heartbreakingly beautiful.”

Watch this video to see what other book reviewers and readers say about the novel, and read more reviews on Amazon:

More on Horseshoes and Hand Grenades here.

Fine Print

The Official Rules for this giveaway are as follows.

Promotion Description: “HAHG Book Contest” (“Contest”) begins on 01/05/2022 at 12:00 AM (Eastern Time) and ends on 01/26/2021 at 12:00 AM) (the “Promotion Period”). By participating in the Contest, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of S.M. Stevens (“Sponsor”), which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the giveaway. Entrants should look solely to Sponsor with any questions, comments or problems related to the Sweepstakes.

Eligibility: Prizes can only be mailed to U.S. addresses. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sponsor and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, retailers, sales representatives, advertising and promotion agencies and each of their respective officers, directors and employees (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”), and members of their immediate families and/or persons living in the same household as such persons, are ineligible to enter the Contest or win a prize.

Winner Selection: The winner of the Contest will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible Entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The random drawing will be conducted within 48 hours by Sponsor or its designated representatives, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible Entries received. Winner will be notified by email at the email address provided in the Entry Information on or about 48 hours after the random drawing. Potential winner must accept a prize by email and submit S/H payment as noted below as directed by Sponsor within 48 hours of notification. Any winner notification not responded to or returned as undeliverable may result in prize forfeiture. The potential prize winner may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability, and a Publicity Release (collectively “the Prize Claim Documents”). No substitution or transfer of a prize is permitted except by Sponsor.

Prizes: Fifteen (15) winners will receive one copy each of the paperback version of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades (approximate retail value or “ARV”: $16.99 plus S/H), and one copy each of the ebook version of The Wallace House of Pain (ARV: $3.89). Prizes cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or substituted by winner. The ARV of the prize represents Sponsor’s good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize awarded. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations may apply. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prize items. Prize will only be awarded and/or delivered to addresses within the United States. All federal, state and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. Winners agree to pay $7.99 to Sponsor within 3 days of receiving confirmation email, using a payment method agreeable to both parties (e.g. Venmo, Cash App, PayPal). Failure to comply with the Official Rules will result in forfeiture of the prize.

Online Entry: Enter the Contest during the Promotion Period online by entering your email to subscribe to the AuthorSMStevens.com blog. Automated or robotic Entries submitted by individuals or organizations will be disqualified. Internet entry must be made by the entrant. Any attempt by an entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations, logins or any other methods, including, but not limited to, commercial contest/sweepstakes subscription notification and/or entering services, will void that entrant’s Entries and that entrant may be disqualified. Final eligibility for the award of any prize is subject to eligibility verification as set forth below. All Entries must be posted by the end of the Promotion Period in order to participate. Sponsor’s database clock will be the official time keeper for this Contest.

Privacy: All entrants acknowledge that if they are chosen as a winner, certain of their personally identifying information may be disclosed to third parties at least as required by law, including, without limitation, on a winner’s list. All personal information submitted as part of the Contest may be shared by and between the Promotion Entities, and each of the Promotion Entities will use such information in accordance with their respective independent online privacy policies.

Limitation of Liability: Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or by any technical or human error, which may occur in the processing of submissions in the Contest. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any misdirected or lost mail, or any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay of operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Entries. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, including injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating downloading materials in the Contest. If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, then Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. In such event, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, perform the random drawing from among all eligible Entries received prior to or after such cancellation, suspension, or modification. In the event of a dispute concerning who registered online to participate in the Contest, the registration will be declared to have been made by the authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an internet provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, education institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. A potential winner may be requested to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the email address. If a dispute cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the entry will be deemed ineligible.

Winner’s List: To obtain a copy of any legally required winners list or a copy of the Official Rules, send the applicable request and a self-addressed, stamped, #10 envelope to S.M. Stevens at 339 Washington Drive, Washington, NH 03280. Request must be received no later than July 26, 2023, for the name of the winners and, by the end of the promotion, for a copy of the rules.

Sponsor: The Contest is sponsored by S.M. Stevens, 339 Washington Drive, Washington, NH 03280, info@authorsmstevens.com.

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Fun Friday Photo: Frozen Waves

If you’ve ever wondered what frozen waves look like, here you go. Today’s Fun Photo Friday features a shot I took of our lake recently. The edges of the pond had frozen, but the interior–as you can see in the photo–had not. Then, we had an extremely windy day–not uncommon around here–and the whitecaps and waves broke up the thin ice and made this chunky arrangement I like to think of as frozen waves.

The only downside to this cool feat of nature? That rough ice at the edge of the lake will not be good for ice skating!

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Fun Photo Friday: Frozen Waves

If you’ve ever wondered what frozen waves look like, here you go. Today’s Fun Photo Friday features a shot I took of our lake recently. The edges of the pond had frozen, but the interior–as you can see in the photo–had not. Then, we had an extremely windy day–not uncommon around here–and the whitecaps and waves broke up the thin ice and made this chunky arrangement I like to think of as frozen waves.

The only downside to this cool feat of nature? That rough ice at the edge of the lake will not be good for ice skating!

The post Fun Photo Friday: Frozen Waves appeared first on S.M. Stevens.

Free YA Book for “Twilight” & Theater Lovers

‘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 show choir.

Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers

Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers takes you deep into the heart of a high school drama program, with its creativity, camaraderie, politics and, well, drama. Join Sadie Perkins in her quest for a lead role, as the Crudup High School drama club makes its own musical out of Twilight.

Intrigue abounds. Why does Sadie’s rival Lucey really get the role of Bella? What’s behind foreign exchange student Nigel’s interest in high school theatre? And where does the show’s director disappear to three days before opening night? With everything falling apart, can the cast even pull off the show?

An Interactive Experience

Bit Players is a truly immersive experience. The students write new lyrics for their show, Twilight: The Musical, set to existing pop songs. The lyrics are provided in the novel, and the Bit Players website has videos so you can sign along with the songs if you want.

Making this even more fun, our hero Sadie’s narration slips into script format whenever she’s stressed out, which is fairly often!

How to Order Your Free Ebook

Click here to order your free ebook on Amazon. This is a limited time offer – three days only, ending December 7th.

Check out www.BitPlayers.me to connect with other high school theatre buffs. Or visit the Bit Players Pinterest page for great ideas on costumes, stage make-up and set design for your next show.

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Fun Friday Photo: Book Hangover

Today’s fun Friday photo on book hangovers comes from EpicReads.com, via author Lizzie Chantree.

This follows on very naturally from my Nov. 28 post in which I agreed with blogger Sarah G’s comment about diving back into books you’re already finished.

Sound familiar, anyone?

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Reading Nook Features Wallace House of Pain

Thanks to Sarah at the Reading Nook for featuring The Wallace House of Pain on her book review blog today.

I love how she sums up her book addiction:

“So I love to read and you will usually find a book in my hand. Whether it’s a new read or going back to ones I have read many times before. You know when you skip to the chapters you loved the most just to dive back into the world one more time. Anyone else do that? Can’t be just me.”

Yes, Sarah, you are not alone! I often dive back into particular sections of books I’ve loved – sometimes right after finishing the book the first time around!

Read the “book blitz” feature about The Wallace House of Pain on the Reading Nook here. While you’re there, subscribe to the blog for more book news and reviews!

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“Inside and Out” Short Story – Monadnock Underground

My short story Inside and Out has been published by Monadnack Underground, “a journal of thought and spirit”. Here’s a taste of the dark story tracing a college romance–and its disturbing secrets (in the well-put words of Monadnock Underground).

“You can’t break up with me. We’re unbreakable. You said it yourself.”

“I was wrong. Nothing is unbreakable.”

Pain raced through Tamarind’s chest in the wake of her harsh words, wiping out the dull shock she’d felt since the revelation leading to this moment. She gasped and turned away from his accusatory eyes. Break-up concluded, she fled the dorm and rushed back to the house she rented with four other juniors, where she turned to her small array of plants for distraction.

Read Inside and Out here. Trigger warning: Contains somewhat graphic description of a sexual assault.

Photo credit: Christian Lue, Unsplash.

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Readers’ Favorite Rates “The Wallace House of Pain” 5 Stars

Readers’ Favorite, one of the fastest growing book review and contest sites, has rated The Wallace House of Pain 5 stars! They also posted the following review.

“The Wallace House of Pain: A Novelette centers around Xander and his estranged father, Jim. S.M. Stevens uses this short story to introduce us to Xander and his uncomfortable dinners with his father and his second wife, Kathy. Xander and Jim don’t seem to see eye to eye on anything and it’s getting increasingly harder for Xander to truly be himself around his father. Through a series of dinners, Xander introduces Jim and Kathy to the greater, less conventional world out there. The exposure forces them to see that not everything is black and white and that fighting for something important is worth the effort. Fortunately, it turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks.

“S.M. Stevens uses The Wallace House of Pain to introduce us to several central characters. Stevens tackles sensitive but relevant topics that many of the older generation don’t understand or refuse to acknowledge, including gender identity, sexual preference, racism, and women’s rights. The book might very well mirror a lot of young people’s upbringing or family situations and detail their difficulty in either coming out or going against the grain, so to speak. Stevens has done a wonderful and respectful job of bringing across a positive message of acceptance and love that any person who has ever struggled with that would love to read. I’m excited to read any future novels by this author and see what impact she has on the world today!“

(Review originally published on Readers’ Favorite on November 12, 2022. View it on their website here.)

Check out Readers’ Favorite to find your next read, peruse book reviews, and enter to win free books.

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How to Add “The Wallace House of Pain” to Goodreads Lists

If you’re here, then you must be considering “voting” for The Wallace House of Pain on one of Goodreads’ relevant lists, so thank you! This is easier and way more fun than voting in the November election. It’s not really a vote at all – there’s no competition. It’s just you saying this book belongs on that list.

Goodreads, as you probably know, exists to help readers find new books and share opinions on books they read. Goodreads’ lists are an easy way for readers to browse topics of interest to find their next read.

Here are the 7 easy steps for adding The Wallace House of Pain to Goodreads lists. These instructions are for adding the novelette to the “Indie Novellas, Novelettes and Short Stories” list, but obviously you can use them for any of the five lists the book is on.

Below the instructions, I’ve listed all five of those lists, should you feel like voting for all of them in one session on Goodreads.

How to Add The Wallace House of Pain to a Goodreads List

If you’re not familiar with how to add a book to a Goodreads list, here’s how it’s done:

1 – Sign into your Goodreads account.

2 – At the top, click on the Browse dropdown menu and select Lists.

3 – On the right, enter “Indie Novellas, Novelettes and Short Stories” in the “Search lists” box (not to be confused with the “Search books” box at the top of the page). Then click on the Search button.

4 – The “Indie Novellas, Novelettes and Short Stories” list should come up. If Goodreads decides to show you a few related lists, click on the list you want.

5 – When the “Indie Novellas, Novelettes and Short Stories” list page opens up, click on “Add Books To This List” next to “All Votes” – under the list title.

6 – Just under that, you can choose whether to add books from “My Books” or a Search. If The Wallace House of Pain is in your Goodreads books, use that option as it’s generally faster. If not, just choose “Add books from a Search” and enter the book title.

7 – The book cover and title should pop up. Click on the “Vote For This Book” button next to the book. That’s it!

If You’re Already on the List Page

If you clicked on a link from my social media, which took you right to the page for the Goodreads list, then you can skip Steps 1-4 and start with Step 5.

The Complete List of Lists for Wallace House of Pain

Here are links to the five Goodreads lists that include The Wallace House of Pain. Some of these lists are for novelette-length stories. Others relate to coming out because that is one of the important themes discussed in The Wallace House of Pain.

Indie Novellas, Novelettes and Short StoriesBest Knock-Out Novelettes – NovellasNovellas, Novelettes and Short Fiction That Are GreatGay Coming-Out FictionQueer Reads YA & Adult

Thank you for voting!

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