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S.M. Stevens

@authorsmstevens.bsky.social
582 followers 1.2K following 199 posts

Author of contemporary fiction that makes you think, animal lover, yoga practitioner, music nut. Social justice novel "Beautiful & Terrible Things" out now. More at AuthorSMStevens.com.

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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
It's rare to get feedback from literary contest judges, so thanks to The Wishing Shelf Book Awards for sending me detailed commentary from its judges! Read what they said about Beautiful & Terrible Things: A Novel on my blog: authorsmstevens.com/an-inside-lo...
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
"Quietly grows on you until you realise you're 100% invested in everyone's lives. Loved the mix of humour, heartbreak and hope, and the friendships were beautifully written. I felt like I spent time with real people rather than characters. An excellent read I'll be thinking about for a long time."
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
"Every so often I come across a novel that reminds me why I enjoy reading, and this was one of them...I closed the final page feeling genuinely moved, and that's not something I can say about every book I read."
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
"I absolutely adored this book! It made me laugh, it made me tear up and it reminded me how life-changing good friendships can be. The characters felt like real people rather than fictional creations, which made every victory and setback hit that much harder. Will def be recommending to friends."
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
"One of the most believable ensembles I've read in quite a while. I found myself wishing I could join them for coffee and conversations. It's emotional without being overwhelming, hopeful without ignoring life's difficulties, and beautifully written. Quietly sneaks into your heart."
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
"The characters stayed with me long after I'd finished, especially Charley. Watching her slowly emerge from isolation felt authentic and uplifting without ever becoming sentimental. The friendships are what really make this novel shine. Highly recommended."
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
✏️ Sharing highlights from the judges' comments on Beautiful & Terrible Things, which won bronze in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Thoughtful insights from real - not AI - readers! 🙏 "If you're after a thoughtful novel with plenty of heart, this one absolutely delivers."
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
🏅 Look at this snazzy medal from The Wishing Shelf Book Awards in the U.K. My contemporary novel Beautiful & Terrible Things won bronze in fiction for adults. That brings us to 8 awards for this timely novel about social justice issues! Feedback from the judges being shared soon. 🙏 buff.ly/9p2B69Q
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
🏖️ 😎 📚️ Is it Beach Reads season yet? It's June, so I say yes even though it snowed here in NH a few days ago. 🥶 Check out 20+ beach read suggestions on AuthorsXP including my award-winning Beautiful & Terrible Things, which has a monumental weekend spent on the water, & maybe win an Amazon gift card
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
❓️📝 Why and how I write, as explained in a Q&A on the site Publication Coach, which is full of good advice for writers and aspiring writers: buff.ly/mta9TWt
publicationcoach.com
S.M. Stevens | Publication Coach
S.M Stevens tries NEVER to make writing a chore. "Otherwise, what’s the point of this labor of love?" she asks.
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
🏆️ 📚️ Win 17 ebooks in the AuthorsXP Book Giveaway! Free to enter. Two winners. In addition to the ebooks, you'll get bonus paperbacks, including a copy of my 8-time award-winning Beautiful & Terrible Things. All are "Book Club Fiction" so plenty to talk about with your friends. 😀
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
☀️ 🏆 📙 I woke up to a nice surprise. My novelette The Wallace House of Pain, which features the same characters as my 7-time award-winning novel Beautiful and Terrible Things, was named one of Julie Sara Porter's Best 10 Contemporary Fictions of 2025 on her Bookworm Reviews blog. buff.ly/IDy1gyf
juliesaraporterbookworm.blogspot.com
Best of the Best 2025 Contemporary and Historical Fiction
Best of the Best 2025 Contemporary and Historical Fiction  By Julie Sara Porter   Bookworm Reviews  It's that time again.  I want to apolo...
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
A mother's worst nightmare...I highly recommend this novel about a woman estranged from her daughter and - worse - for reasons she does not know. #newbook #booksky
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Check out the WROTE podcast, a weekly show about LGBTQ storytelling in all genres and mediums. This week's episode features ME, talking about Beautiful and Terrible Things. 🤭 😀 buff.ly/Ylkjk8o #lgbtfiction #bisexual #pansexual #nonbinary #black #latino #filipino #bipolar #socialjustice #lgbtqbooks
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Reposted by S.M. Stevens
WRitten On The Edge Podcast @wrotepodcast.com · 16/01/2026
@authorsmstevens.bsky.social shares her novel Beautiful & Terrible Things about a diverse cast of friends, social justice activities living in today's America. Plus a free short story & novelette cut from the book for you. buff.ly/m209fTg #booktalk #bi #queer #black #latino #filipino #socialjustice
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
My interview on Teri M Brown's amazing podcast, about my novel Beautiful & Terrible Things, is live! Topics include writing diverse characters, typos in bestsellers and plotting resources for writers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=otUt... #nonbinary #nonbinarycharacters #writingresource
youtube.com
Togetherness: A Story About Friendship, Identity, and the World We Live In with Author SM Stevens
YouTube video by Online For Authors
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
🎉 Win books in this "Uplit" Sweepstakes: buff.ly/iyqN3uW "Uplit" fiction refers to books that tackle serious themes but are ultimately hopeful & inspirational, reminding us of the power of human connection. So exactly what I like to write, and a great way to start a New Year! 😀 #freebooks
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Good morning from the lake! Woke up to this incredible view today. I haven't been posting much because I'm deep into my work-in-progress but had to share this! #beautifulday #writerslife #grateful #contemporaryfiction
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
True Crime & Memoir fans: Get an advance look at the topic of my work-in-progress, in my new blog post: buff.ly/WBWZ6su #truecrime #memoir #authornews
authorsmstevens.com
True Crime Memoir Update & Book Deals - S.M. Stevens
Work-in-Progress Update I’ve mentioned before that I am helping two friends write their true crime memoir. It’s an incredibly compelling story — so compelling that Michelle was asked to tell it on…
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
The EBOOK of Beautiful & Terrible Things is now available through local libraries! If you haven’t read Indies Today's Best Literary Book of 2024, you can borrow it for free. Tell your librarian "Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Novel" is now on OverDrive. 😀 📚 #LibraryLove #BorrowBooks #OverDrive
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
WIN 13 BOOKS! It's LGBT History Month, and AuthorsXP is holding a Book Giveaway to celebrate. You'll find my "Beautiful & Terrible Things" and "The Wallace House of Pain" in there plus fantasy, romance, horror, thriller, and short fiction books. Enter here: buff.ly/GQx8bi0 #lgbtbooks #lgbtfiction
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Some of you know I'm co-authoring a true crime memoir with a rape survivor and the detective who solved the crime. The survivor, Michelle, was just featured on the PBS show "Stories from the Stage" telling her story - very compelling! www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhLW... #truecrime #memoir #survivors
youtube.com
By Refusing to Stay Silent, She Caught Her Assaulter | Michelle Linn's Story
YouTube video by Stories from the Stage
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
If you like detective stories and mysteries, check out "Death Grip" by Travis Tougaw, just released today. I LOVED the last book I read from his Marcotte and Collins series, so can recommend the new one without hesitation! buff.ly/Rf9EWmB
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Not sure how to give or receive criticism? This article from Books Uplift is chock full of helpful ideas, some of which are bound to work for you if you struggle with accepting criticism or want to do better when delivering it. I had the pleasure of being interviewed for this piece. buff.ly/Kwjk32c
booksuplift.com
How To Handle Criticism Like A Pro - Books Uplift
Criticism is never easy to take or deliver. However, criticism often gets a bad rap. There are several good aspects to criticism that uplift the receiver and guide them in...
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Win a free copy of Beautiful and Terrible Things, and/or many other great novels that are perfect for Book Clubs and people who love books that make you think as well as laugh and cry! Go to AuthorsXP to enter: buff.ly/WC7Aplr
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
Join me tonight at 7:00 P.M. EST for a live interview with Dr. Rhonda on the Horizons Author Lounge podcast! 🎤 Psyched to share the spotlight with Nicole Cash, who narrated my "Beautiful and Terrible Things." Tune in at 7 PM on YouTube: buff.ly/6oYUkBk
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Many thanks to Rosabel Zohfeld for having me on her podcast, "Life Unscripted." Check out the interview here:
buff.ly
S.M. Stevens Inspiring Journey | From Illness to Award-Winning Author & Advocate
Welcome to The Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel Zohfeld — where honest conversations inspire transformation! S.M.Stevens_Inspiring_Journey_From_Illness_to_Award-Winning_Author&_Advocate Join us for an inspiring conversation with award-winning author and advocate S.M. Stevens. After a life-changing health crisis, Stevens turned pain into purpose—channeling her experience into powerful fiction that explores trauma, healing, and justice. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and using storytelling to create meaningful change. Whether you're a writer, reader, or seeker of inspiration, her journey will remind you of the strength found in vulnerability and the power of your voice. 🎧 In this in-depth interview, Stevens opens up about: How a life-altering illness redirected her path toward writing. The healing power of storytelling and why she chose fiction. Her critically acclaimed novel Beautiful and Terrible Things. Writing diverse, authentic characters with integrity. Using her marketing background to promote her books. Practical advice for aspiring authors and storytellers. Current and upcoming projects you're going to want to follow. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:55 – Meet S.M. Stevens: Background & Writing Origins 01:47 – Journey to Becoming a Published Author 02:57 – How a Health Crisis Sparked a Writing Career 05:30 – The Power of Fiction & Storytelling 06:50 – Beautiful and Terrible Things: Writing With Purpose 17:04 – Authenticity & Representation in Fiction 21:31 – How Marketing Helped Promote Her Books 27:37 – Advice for Aspiring Writers & New Authors 29:19 – Current Works in Progress 31:54 – How to Connect With S.M. Stevens 💬 In every episode, we explore personal growth, healing, success, and courage. Whether you're a writer, reader, or simply someone who believes in the power of resilience and creativity, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. 🔗 Connect with S.M. Stevens: 🌐 Website: https://authorsmstevens.com 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSMStevens 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/s.m.stevens 🛒 Find Her Books on Amazon: S.M. Stevens on Amazon Subscribe for more inspiring conversations: [https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeunscriptedwithrosabel?sub_confirmation=1] 📚 Grab Rosabel’s book, The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream: [Amazon] 🌎 Visit the official website for blogs, episodes, and more: [https://rosabelzohfeld.com/] 🔴 Watch more videos like this for inspiration and insight ✨ https://youtu.be/IKB48ZbVE1A?si=XsMQIRc2AGgT2hwl https://youtu.be/J_Hdme3zQsQ?si=5QrlvTRRHGZCr-BJ https://youtu.be/0xc_KgaMC9s?si=7tf6ZnAzp2cXLGqX Connect with Rosabel: Website: [https://rosabelzohfeld.com/] Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/rosabelunscripted/] Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/RosabelZunscripted/] Podcast: [https://open.spotify.com/show/0dR0ojKIY3igJLTEnLVUQ8?si=c4dc6866415945a4] #LifeUnscriptedPodcast #PersonalGrowth #CourageToSucceed #HealingJourney#SMStevens #AuthorInterview #WritingJourney #FictionWithPurpose #BookLovers #StorytellingHealing #AuthorLife #SocialJusticeFiction #InspiringAuthors #BeautifulAndTerribleThings
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
I was asked what success as an author looks like to me in this short bit from a Compassiviste Dialogues podcast interview. The answer might surprise you!
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Taking a poll...which glasses should I wear in my author videos? Please let me know in the comments - thanks!
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Book reviews don't have to be in-depth or elaborate to matter - check out this short but oh so sweet Amazon review of "Beautiful & Terrible Things: A Novel" posted a few days ago by Stacy Sheakly. Thank you, Stacy!
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Nonbinary Sunny & bisexual Xander are best friends and sometimes more. In this scene from Beautiful & Terrible Things, well, they’re more. AuthorSMStevens.com. #queerbooks #nonbinarycharacter #bisexual #contemporaryfiction
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
My next book, which is still only a sad manuscript with no home, was a runner-up in Blydyn Square Books' First Chapter Contest! Tentatively called "The Unraveling of Caro Dunn," the story is about a successful businesswoman and grandmother harboring insane secrets about her children. buff.ly/8lqC7v7
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
THANKS to all who downloaded Beautiful & Terrible Things during its 2-day sale!! Almost 1,000 people grabbed copies of the 7-time award-winning friendship/social justice novel. And you propelled the book into the #1 spot on Amazon in one category and the #2 spot in another! Power to the People.😀💪📚
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
Goodreads reviewer: “If you’ve ever felt lost, if you’ve ever wrestled with who you are, if you’ve ever needed a reminder that you are more than your worst moments—read this book.” FREE today only on Amazon. bit.ly/3IqEPWQ
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
I just learned you can gift an ebook, even when the ebook is free! My award-winning friendship story “Beautiful & Terrible Things” is free on Amazon TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY. So check it out if you want to send a free copy to a friend, colleague, family member, Book Club buddy. buff.ly/tZedFtq
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
📣 Holler it from the rooftops! 🏆 7-time award-winning novel 📚 “Beautiful & Terrible Things” is FREE for 2 DAYS ONLY! Today (Friday) and tomorrow, get the contemporary novel readers say “took their breath away” free on Amazon. It’s in celebration of the book’s 1-year anniversary. 🎂 🍾 buff.ly/tZedFtq
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
What Tetiana B. thought of Beautiful & Terrible Things: "This is one of those rare books that makes you feel seen—like, truly seen—and I caught myself crying and laughing in the same chapter more than once (which is kinda embarrassing but whatever)." Thank you Tetiana! Full review: buff.ly/mHlIllB
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Reminds me of my dog Jenny (minus the spots but with an extra heaping of dirt).
Photo of a white shepherd covered in dirt.
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
"Beautiful & Terrible Things" is now officially an Underrated Read! 😀 Thanks to book blog Underrated Reads for their review of my friendship/social justice story. They gave it 4 bookmarks - and they are very particular about what they read so I am grateful! buff.ly/KWim1gw
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
BEAUTIFUL & TERRIBLE THINGS: A NOVEL, Chapter 19 Readers either love Xander or he drives them crazy, with his constant and unwavering passion to make the world a better place. In this excerpt, we learn a little about how he became an activist and an advocate for equality. More at AuthorSMStevens.com
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
Come dissect Beautiful & Terrible Things in a public Book Club at indie bookstore The Bookery in Manchester, NH. Thurs. Aug. 21, 6 PM, 844 Elm Street, 603-836-6600. Save 20% on the paperback, ebook or audiobook by purchasing through The Bookery and they’ll even deliver. #bookclub #bookclubs
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Thanks to book blogger Heather L. Barksdale for reviewing Beautiful & Terrible Things: A Novel. She also posted an interview with me, covering the 3 things that inspired the award-winning story, how I came up with names for my characters, who I would cast in a movie version, etc.: buff.ly/RChplfl
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
Here's a snippet from Sunny talking to Charley when they meet at the weekend away, at Buwan's family's summer home, in "Beautiful & Terrible Things." #contemporaryfiction #awardwinningfiction
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
FREE 📚 TODAY & TOMORROW: I don't plug a lot of books but I loved this psychological thriller and you will too. And you can get the ebook of DARE by Mimi Wahlfeldt for free through July 6. Click this link: buff.ly/uVpdK7i And read my review of the book here if you're interested: buff.ly/ky4LvBY
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
So happy to be at 3 Pride Festivals during Pride Month in June, with my books! The events in Manchester, NH, Portsmouth, NH, and Windham, ME were truly inspiring! #pridemonth2025 #pride2025
Cool cat just hanging aroundMe and my friend Jo who makes incredible jewelry at Creative Therapy JewelryAwesome live music at the Manchester NH Pride
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
I dug deep into the psychology that drives people to turn violent at a protest before writing my extended protest scene for Beautiful and Terrible Things, to ensure its authenticity. Read an excerpt from that scene here: authorsmstevens.com/book-excerpt...
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
⌛ 🏳️‍🌈 LAST CALL to get LGBTQIA+ books, including "Beautiful & Terrible Things: A Novel" for 20% off in honor of Pride Month!! Go to Bookshop here: buff.ly/5BhttQH and use code PRIDE25 when checking out. Your purchase can benefit a small indie bookstore of your choice if you want. #pridemonth
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
🪥 Words of wisdom from Buwan in "Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Novel." Which kind of person are you? Brush first thing in the morning, before breakfast? Or wait until after you eat? 😀 ❓
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Juneteenth. Let's not erase history. Let's do the grown-up thing - acknowledge and learn from our past. (You know who I'm talking to...) Image borrowed from Lifeway Network; I love it because it reminds me of my character Sunny from Beautiful & Terrible Things. #juneteenth #juneteenth2025
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S.M. Stevens @authorsmstevens.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Are you a book lover who happens to be in the queer community, or an ally who wants to support equality for all during June Pride Month? I’ve got an easy way for you to do that. Use the coupon code in the video at Bookshop.org and get great reads while supporting the community AND local bookstores!
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