Step Zero: The Tenth Anniversary Edition

by Stu Jenks

Author’s Note for The Tenth Anniversary

Ten years ago, I wrote the original Step Zero novel. It was relatively well received, but it had 1) It was too long, perhaps still is, 2) It had too much explicit sex in it, and 3) It told the story rather than showing the story at times.

So, in this, The Tenth Anniversary Edition of Step Zero, I’ve reedited the book, cut some out, added a little, took out most of the sex scenes and most of the info dumps, left in most of the cussing, enhanced the romance a bit, and made the whole thing flow smoother. I hope you enjoy this newer version. It’s still a long story but it’s better. At least I hope it is.

Important Among literally the hundreds of characters in the book, there are three real people represented in Step Zero, one somewhat famous, the other two not so much. I dramatically fictionalized them, but I needed to keep them real people because of some important plot twists. You’ll see. I mean none of these three people any harm at all, nor do I wish for them to feel uncomfortable in any way. I love them all very much.

This book isn’t about politics, or drugs, or even really about the end of the world. It’s about good people trying to be good and do good in a broken land. It is about people in recovery trying to be their best selves, often succeeding, sometimes failing, staying clean and sober as best they can, one day at a time. It’s about love and light and the multidimensional healing spirit that lives inside all of us.

In a word, it’s about hope.

Love y’all. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,

Stu Jenks,

From the Piedmont of North Carolina.

570 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2022