Author Susan M. Stevens, (GHS ’81) has been awarded the top honor in the 2023 American Fiction Awards competition in the novelette category for “The Wallace House of Pain.” The six year old American Fiction Awards, sponsored by American Book Fest, honor excellence in Fiction. A novelette is longer than a short story and shorter than a novella.

“The Wallace House of Pain” is a portrait of troubled family relations, modern social justice issues and deeply personal choices. A Readers’ Favorite review of the book says, “Stevens tackles sensitive but relevant topics…and does a respectful job portraying a positive message of acceptance and love.” The novella’s characters will also appear in Stevens’ anticipated new novel, “Beautiful and Terrible Things,” which will be published in July 2024 by Black Rose Writing.

Stevens said, “This is my first fiction award so I’m thrilled. Readers seem to love the social justice and family strife themes of ‘The Wallace House of Pain.’ The novella features the same characters as my novel ‘Beautiful and Terrible Things,’ which comes out in July 2024.”

“The Wallace House of Pain” is available in paperback and ebook format on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and IndieBound.

The novella has also been published in stage script format. The play is available for production by school, university and community theatre groups. For more on “The Wallace House of Pain” including reviews, visit: authorsmstevens.com/books-2/the-wallace-house-of-pain.

Stevens began writing fiction as a result of two serious health issues: a broken pelvis from a horseback riding accident, followed a year later by a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The forced inactivity gave her plenty of time to write.

In an interview with Stevens a few years ago, she said she loved growing up in small town Gorham. She now lives in Washington, N.H. but travels to Gorham a few times a year to visit family and high school friends. Her mother and one of her brothers lives in Gorham, and her sister lives in Kittery.

To learn more about her books she can be contacted via www.AuthorSMStevens.com.