In this Author POV feature, we speak with S. M. Stevens about Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Novel, her seven-time award-winning portrait of modern American life. Set in a vibrant but troubled city, the story blends contemporary fiction with social commentary to explore how friendship can validate, challenge, fracture, and ultimately save lives. At its center is Charley Byrne, a 29-year-old bookstore manager who has retreated into isolation after a painful past. When quirky activist Xander Wallace draws her into a diverse, energetic circle of friends, Charley begins to reengage with the world, stepping into community organizing and social justice work she once avoided.
Can you introduce your book for librarians who may be discovering it for the first time?
Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Novel is a 7-time award-winning portrait of modern American life in a major city with its vibrant culture and rampant social issues. At once enlightening and entertaining, it reminds us that friendship has the power to validate, destroy, transform and save lives.
Here's the back of book copy: Charley Byrne isn't really living. At age 29, she hunkers down in her apartment above the bookstore she manages, afraid of a 7-year curse. Then quirky activist Xander Wallace lures her out of social exile with the prospect of friendship and romance. Charley joins Xander's circle of friends diverse in their heritage, race, gender and sexual orientation. She thrives, even leaving her comfort zone to join protests in a city struggling with social justice ills.
But the new friendships bring back-to-back betrayals that threaten the bookstore—Charley's haven—and propel her into a dangerous depression. Can her friends save the store? And Charley?
What inspired you to write this book, and what core themes do you hope readers take away from it?
I wanted to show how individuals can take different paths to social issues engagement, and remind us all that there are always real people behind the statistics on any given issue, e.g. racism, immigration, mental health.
At the same time, I wanted to portray the kind of intense friendship that makes readers want to crawl inside the group of friends and stay there. So I am thrilled that readers have compared my characters to the casts of the TV show Friends and the movie The Big Chill.
What kind of readers or patrons do you see this book resonating with most?
Readers in their 20's have vouched for the book's authentic representation of American society today, and readers in their 70's have said their eyes were opened. At the end of the day, Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Novel is ideal for anyone who loves a good friendship story and has at least a little interest in social justice issues.
Are there any sensitive topics or content considerations librarians should be aware of?
There are several scenes of moderate self-harm.
Are there companion resources librarians or educators should know about?
The book includes Reading Group Discussion Questions for book clubs at the end.
My award-winning novelette The Wallace House of Pain features the same characters as the novel, and is available to purchase the usual ways, or for free to those who sign up for my newsletter at www.AuthorSMStevens.com.
Which formats are currently available?
Paperback, 978-1-68513-447-1
Ebook, B0CX5SHPDT
Audiobook, B0DCD79BFF
The publisher, Black Rose Writing, offers bulk discounts and direct sales as well as distribution through Ingram, Amazon, etc.
The ebook is available to libraries through OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, CloudLibrary, BorrowBox, Palace Marketplace, and Odilo.
Do you offer author engagement options for schools or libraries?
Absolutely. Virtual visits, in-person events, Q&A sessions, readings.
Is there anything else you would like librarians, teachers, or educators to know about your work?
Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Novel won seven literary awards in 2024, including:
- Best Literary Book of the Year from Indies Today
- Gold Winner, Reader Views Literary Awards, LGBTQIA+ category
- Finalist for Shelf Unbound's Best Indie Book, and the Sarton Award
- Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention, Fiction-Social Issues category.
Also, it was named an Editor's Pick by Booklife.
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