S.M. Stevens – From Business Writer to Acclaimed Novelist
Stevens’ journey showcases resilience and creativity in the face of adversity
S.M. Stevens crafts fiction inspired by personal challenges, exploring societal issues with empathy. Her novels feature strong female protagonists, balancing entertainment with thought-provoking themes, encouraging readers to engage with real-life issues.
S.M. Stevens’ path to becoming a fiction writer is as compelling as the narratives she creates. Originally a seasoned business writer, Stevens transitioned into fiction following a series of personal health crises. After a severe horseback riding accident left her immobilized, she channeled her energy into writing “Shannon’s Odyssey,” a middle-grade novel for her daughter. Almost a year later, during her battle with ovarian cancer, she penned “Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers,” inspired by her older daughter’s love for musical theatre.
Stevens’ debut adult novel, “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades,” emerged from the #metoo movement, exploring the parallels between workplace sexual harassment and childhood incest. Her upcoming novel, “Beautiful and Terrible Things,” set for release in summer 2024, delves into themes of friendship, mental illness, and social justice, reflecting her commitment to addressing complex societal issues through her writing.
With a rich background in corporate communications, Stevens has mastered the art of writing amidst interruptions, a skill that has undoubtedly contributed to her prolific output. Her novels often feature strong female protagonists navigating challenging circumstances, underscoring the importance of representation and authenticity in literature.
S.M. Stevens masterfully blends compelling narratives with societal insights, creating thought-provoking fiction that inspires empathy and encourages meaningful change.
In a recent interview, S.M. Stevens shared insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her stories, and the delicate balance of infusing entertainment with thought-provoking themes. Her work not only entertains but also encourages readers to empathize with real-life issues and consider their own roles in societal change.
Stevens is driven to explore complex societal issues such as workplace harassment and mental health struggles in her novels. She explains, “While I love a good escapist beach read on occasion, I’m more drawn to fiction that challenges me in some way. So that’s what I write. Complex themes provide ample room to explore and provoke thought. As for balancing entertainment, that’s easy: simply portray life as we know it, which is, hopefully, filled with humor, light, and love as well as challenges and tragedy.”
Her upcoming novel, “Beautiful and Terrible Things,” is set in a contemporary American setting and tackles themes of friendship, mental illness, and social justice. Stevens was inspired to depict contemporary society realistically, including multiple social ills rather than highlighting just one. She hopes readers, regardless of their views on each issue, will gain greater empathy for the real people behind the statistics and feel inspired to get more involved in causes important to them.
Stevens’ extensive career in business, including executive positions at Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations, has informed her approach to writing fiction. She credits her communications career with teaching her how to write with constant interruptions, a skill that has carried over to her fiction writing.
In “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades,” Stevens merges the topics of childhood sexual abuse and workplace sexual harassment. She was driven to explore how society asks similar questions of harassment victims and incest survivors, such as why they waited so long to speak up and what their ulterior motives might be. The novel attempts to answer these questions, which are rarely posed to victims of other crimes.
Representation in literature is a crucial topic for Stevens, who ensures authenticity and depth in portraying diverse characters and their experiences through extensive research and sensitivity readers. She drew on the experiences and insights of others in areas such as mental health, race, gender, sexuality, and immigration to inform “Beautiful and Terrible Things.”
The “Bit Players” series was inspired by Stevens’ daughter’s love for musical theatre. Her personal experiences as a parent influenced the creation of these stories, and she faced the challenge of not embarrassing her teenage daughter. It was for her daughter that Stevens adopted a pen name, so her friends wouldn’t find out that her mother wrote about teens behaving badly.
S.M. Stevens continues to craft stories that entertain and provoke thought, encouraging readers to engage with the world around them and consider their roles in societal change. Her commitment to addressing complex issues through fiction makes her a compelling voice in contemporary literature.
